If your app runs a sweepstakes, lottery, or contest, you as the developer have to be the actual sponsor with published official rules, eligibility terms, and a legitimate prize-fulfillment process, not just a promotional gimmick with no real backing.
Comes up when a "win a prize" feature is added for engagement without any published rules, sponsor identification, or clear terms.
"Your app conducts a contest or sweepstakes without clearly identifying the sponsor and official rules, per guideline 5.3.1."
Guideline 5.3.1 covers sweepstakes, lotteries and contests run in apps. The developer must be the actual sponsor, publish official rules and eligibility terms and have a real process for awarding prizes. A "win something" feature added only to boost engagement, with no rules or sponsor behind it, runs into this guideline.
Contests and prize draws are regulated in many places, and participants can be misled if they do not know who runs the promotion, what the odds are or how winners are chosen. Apple wants the responsible party to be identifiable and the terms to be public, so that users are not cheated and so that Apple is not seen to endorse an unfair promotion. It also makes clear that Apple is not a sponsor.
The developer or the company running the promotion, not Apple.
Sweepstakes laws vary, so many developers seek it, though that is separate from App Review.
Not always. Features based on skill or purchases may be treated differently.
Platform rules change often. This page is a plain-language explanation written by AppReviewFix, not official guidance. Check the current App Store Review Guidelines for the exact wording.