Guide to Prize-Linked Savings Accounts (PLSA)

Everyone likes to win big. So what if saving money could offer the potential to win more money? Such a scenario is possible, thanks to prize-linked savings accounts that combine a normal savings account with an opportunity to win prize money.

What Is a Prize-Linked Savings Account?

A prized-linked savings account is essentially a savings account that gives account holders the opportunity to win prizes. In addition to their presence in the U.S., are found in other countries, including Germany, Argentina, and Japan.

The way that prize-linked savings accounts work is they allow account holders to enter raffles to earn cash prizes. If you have one of these prize accounts, how would you enter? By making deposits into a savings account. Currently, these types of accounts are offered by financial institutions such as credit unions in more than 30 different states.

These savings accounts earn a nominal amount of interest and aren’t a solid replacement for a traditional savings account or a high-yield savings account in the long run.

However, prize-linked savings accounts may be good for short-term savings. They’re designed to encourage people with low- or moderate-income levels to save more.

Recommended: Checking Accounts vs. Savings Accounts: Key Differences to Know

Types of Prize-Linked Savings Accounts

To make it easier to understand how prize-linked savings accounts work, here are a few real-life examples of these savings accounts that are available domestically.

Save to Win

Save to Win allows participating credit unions to hold savings promotion raffles. Every qualifying $25 an account holder deposits into a Save for Win account earns them an entry into a drawing for cash prizes. Save to Win says it awards more than $200,000 in prizes every year.

Lucky Savers

Lucky Savers is designed to motivate New Yorkers to save by rewarding smart savings habits. This program is exclusive to credit unions and is formatted as a 12-month share certificate with unlimited deposit capabilities. Opening this account requires a $25 initial deposit. Then, for every $25 in month-over-month balance increase, account holders earn one entry into monthly and quarterly prize drawings.

WINcentive

WINcentive® Savings is another credit union-exclusive program. This program in Minnesota offers prize drawing entries for every $25 an account holder saves for up to four entries each month. Prize drawings occur monthly, quarterly, and annually. In 2023, $100,000 in cash prizes were awarded to account holders.

Are Prize-Linked Savings Accounts (PLSAs) Legal?

Prize-linked savings accounts are legal in approximately 32 states that have enacted legislation to allow these types of accounts. In response to concerns surrounding prize-linked savings programs, Congress passed the American Savings Promotion Act which authorizes banks and thrifts (a financial institution specializing in savings accounts and mortgages) to conduct savings promotion raffles. It also excludes these raffles from the prohibition against financial institutions dealing in lotteries.

Pros of Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account

Depending on your circumstances and financial goals, a prize account can offer a number of advantages. The pros of these savings accounts are:

•   Prize-linked savings accounts can incentivize individuals to save more money. Programs have found the amount of savers and savings amounts increase when there is a prize incentive.

•   It’s possible to win money that can help offset monthly expenses or may be large enough to be the equivalent of a small lottery prize.

•   It’s possible to win prize money without any of the typical risks that come with gambling or buying lottery tickets. These accounts are designed so that the account holder gets to keep their savings whether they win a prize or not.

Cons of Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account

Along with the benefits, there are disadvantages to prize-linked savings accounts. These include:

•   Prize-linked savings accounts earn little to no interest. The chance of winning money may not be worth forgoing a bank account with a higher yield.

•   Winning any prize money at all is not guaranteed and not predictable, like a steady stream of interest earnings is.

•   These prize-linked savings accounts are often cheaper for financial institutions to offer than traditional savings accounts. For this reason, they might not promote the better savings options an account holder might have.

Opening a Prize-Linked Savings Account

If you want to open a prize-linked savings account, these are the steps you’ll generally take.

1.    Find a credit union that offers prize-linked savings accounts. These accounts aren’t available in all states and are more commonly found at credit unions.

2.    Apply to open a prize-linked savings account. The applicant will usually need to provide two forms of identification during the application process.

3.    Make a deposit. Most prize-linked savings accounts have small initial minimum-deposit requirements.

Are There Taxes on PLSAs?

There are tax requirements surrounding prize-linked savings account winnings. Sure, you can go and spend money from your savings account that’s been plumped up thanks to a cash prize. However, anyone who wins money from one of these accounts should be prepared to pay taxes on their winnings according to state and federal laws.

Alternatives to a Prize-Linked Savings Account

Because there’s no guarantee that you will win any money with a prize-linked savings account, you may want to consider these other savings options that can offer a more guaranteed return.

•   High-yield savings accounts. High-yield savings accounts are savings accounts with high interest rates. Often, high-yield savings accounts are found at online banks. Because online banks don’t have to spend a lot of money on brick-and-mortar banking locations, they may be able to offer higher interest rates, lower fees, or other bank account bonuses. High-yield savings accounts also allow consumers to take advantage of compound interest.

Learn more: Basics of High Yield Savings Accounts

•   Money market account. Money market accounts are savings accounts that tend to have a higher annual percentage rate (APY) than traditional savings accounts do, but they may have withdrawal limits. Check with your financial institution to see if there is a cap on the number of withdrawals you can make per month.

•   Certificate of deposit. A certificate of deposit (CD) generally has a minimum deposit requirement. It also has a set timeframe during which you can’t withdraw your money from the CD without having to pay a penalty fee. CDs may have higher interest rates than both savings accounts and money market accounts.

The Takeaway

The potential to win prize money through a prize-linked savings account can make saving more appealing for some consumers. That being said, these accounts tend to have much lower interest rates than traditional savings accounts, and there is no guarantee the account holder will ever win any money. Before opening one, carefully consider if a prize-linked savings account can meet your needs or if you would be better off with a different financial vehicle, such as a high-yield savings account instead.

FAQ

Are prize-linked savings accounts legal?

Yes, prize-linked savings accounts are legal in about 32 states. Congress passed the American Savings Promotion Act in 2014, which authorizes banks and thrift banks to conduct savings promotion raffles.

Is a lottery account safe?

Lottery accounts are generally a safe way to save money. There is no actual gambling involved with a prize-linked savings account. These accounts are designed so that account holders get to keep all of their savings whether or not they win prize money.

How do I open a lottery account?

The process of opening a prize-linked savings account is the same as opening a normal savings account. Once someone finds a credit union that offers this type of savings account, they will apply and provide all of the information and identifying documentation required during the application process. Then they will make an initial deposit.

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