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Myth vs Fact


Think you know a lot about Publishers Clearing House? Find out what’s false and what’s true.

Does buying help you win?

No Purchase is Necessary to enter or win our famous PCH sweepstakes. As outlined in our Official Rules and as stated in the SweepsFacts insert included with every PCH promotional mailing: Buying Won’t Help You Win. Your chances of winning without a purchase are the same as the chances of someone who buys something. It would not be lawful to give any advantage to buyers in a Sweepstakes. You may be interested to know that many of our SuperPrize winners won with a non-order entry!

Has Ed McMahon ever been a spokesperson for PCH?

Contrary to popular belief, Ed McMahon has never been a spokesperson for our company, and has never had any affiliation with Publishers Clearing House. Mr. McMahon worked for American Family Publishers, which is no longer in business. PCH puts its TV advertising spotlight on real sweepstakes winners who are surprised and videotaped live by PCH employees that make up the PCH Prize Patrol.

Are the winners in our TV commercials real winners or actors?

The winners you see in our TV commercials are not actors! They are real winners surprised live by our famous PCH Prize Patrol. To see winner footage please visit our official page YouTube channel.

Do you really give away all that money?

All prizes are funded by company revenues derived from the sale of our high quality merchandise and magazine offers and advertising in our digital free play and win network.

No one in my area, my age, or my background seems to win. Is that true?

Over the years we have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in prizes to people from all walks of life; all across the US and Canada; folks with varied ethnic and economic backgrounds; living in apartments, mobile homes, private homes, on farms; young folks, seniors and every age in between. We even awarded a SuperPrize on the tundra in Alaska, and one time found our winner in mid-air – while flying on a plane! Prize winners are selected in an unbiased manner that assures an equal chance for all entries. If you would like more details on how we select our Winners, please visit our Winner Selection Methodology page.

How can you afford to give away so much money when you only sell magazines?

The answer is simple — we do so much more than just “sell magazines”! Thanks to popular demand by our customers in the 1980s, PCH began evolving from a magazine subscription based business into the destination for value-based merchandise we are today. Now, in addition to our great magazine subscription offers, you can find a wide variety of general merchandise, housewares, videos/DVDs, music, coins, collectibles, books, jewelry, horticulture, gift foods, inspirational items, and personal care products included in PCH’s offers. Another source of revenue for the company comes from advertising on PCH’s digital properties.

Do non-order entries have the same chance of winning as those with orders?

Yes, of course they do! As a matter of fact, our records show that the majority of our SuperPrize awards were won by entries without an order. Non-orderers have the same chance of winning as those with orders because no purchase is necessary to enter or win. By law, a legitimate sweepstakes does not require a purchase or payment of a fee (or ‘consideration’) as a condition of entering and winning a promotional giveaway. This regulation, along with an advisory that a purchase won’t improve any individual’s chance of winning, is prominently displayed in all mailings and sweepstakes promotions.

PCH Properties

PCH Office Location

New York - Long Island
300 Jericho Quadrangle, Suite 300
Jericho, NY 11753

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