The Federal Trade Commission has announced a settlement with a sweepstakes promoter who will pay over a million dollars in fines.

The lure is not that creative - consumers were told they had won a prize and need to send in money first.

Here is the first consumer rule of sweepstakes: never pay to play. It is illegal for sweepstakes companies to require payment, improve odds for those who pay or even to suggest your odds will improve if you pay. In fact, these contests have to clearly indicate that no purchase is necessary. That's what makes it a sweepstakes. Payment in advance makes it gambling, which is tightly regulated and illegal in most cases. Some exceptions: riverboats, Missouri Lottery and church / charity raffles. (Yes, that means your neighbor's Texas Hold 'Em games are probably illegal.)

AG Nixon has had success going after sweepstakes companies, getting major settlements with American Family and Publishers Clearing House.