Stock Market Tournament

In July 2005, a company sought a written opinion on whether a promotional contest could raise concerns under the Competition Act. The company made a proposal to run a stock market tournament with a large cash prize for the winner. The rules would allow anyone to enter the tournament upon the payment of a fee, and the contest would be conducted over the Internet. The complete rules and regulations for the contest would be posted on the company's Web site and would also be included in the company magazine. All advertisements would contain a short form of disclosure.

On September 7, 2005, the Bureau provided its opinion that the contest as proposed would not give it grounds to launch an inquiry under section 74.06 of the Act. In the Bureau's view, the contest would adequately disclose the number and approximate value of prizes, the area or areas to which they would relate, and any important information relating to the chances of winning, such as the odds of winning.