On his personal web page, Fox News contributor and financial scheme peddler Dick Morris announces a “Mother's Day Contest,” the prize for which is dinner with Morris at his house. Good times!

There's just one problem. (No, not that the 'prize' sounds more like a penalty.) The “contest” actually appears to be a sweepstakes -- and, by requiring purchase for entry, may violate laws governing sweepstakes.

Contests involve an element of skill; sweepstakes are promotions in which prizes are given to winners chosen at random. That's what's going on here:

To enter the drawing, just purchase a copy of 2010: Take Back America - A Battle Plan between May 2nd and May 9th. Notify us that you've done so by emailing us at mothersday@dickmorris.com and enter your name and e-address.

We'll choose a winner at random on Monday, May 10th and notify them immediately.

...

The offer includes transportation - including a round trip air ticket for a two day trip - plus hotel and meals. Proof of purchase required to win.

Now, I'm no lawyer, but that “proof of purchase required to win” part may be a problem. In general, a sweepstakes cannot require an entry fee or purchase.

Here's the full contest sweepstakes announcement:

UPDATE: Here's a portion of Connecticut's sweepstakes regulations:

Sec. 42-296. Sweepstakes. Restrictions on advertisements. No person may advertise a sweepstakes if there is any condition or restriction attached to the receipt of any prize a person wins in the sweepstakes, unless the condition or restriction to claim the prize is through any method which does not require any purchase, payment of a fee or any other consideration, such as (1) a telephone call in the participant's extended local calling area, (2) a telephone call to an 800 number, or (3) a visit to a retail establishment in the local marketing area which does not require the participant to attend a sales presentation. For purposes of this section, completing publicity or liability releases, eligibility affidavits or assuming liability for federal, state or local taxes, federal, state or local licenses or registration fees or other similar costs does not constitute a condition or restriction.