I want to participate in the contest too...

[sirDarts]

I actually like limited events, as long as they switch it up evenly on who can participate where.
Why you might ask? Because limiting these events = less participants = higher chance of victory.

TBH I have no idea whether SE is switching it up somewhat evenly, I don't really follow these events much, although my FC did participate in the video contest and we got the mandragora chokers. But if they do, it's all fine and dandy with me, if they don't then yeah, there is a reason for being unsatisfied.

[MihaelB]

If only we could

Feel like this would be a great scenic screenie

[Atamos]

Servers are in Quebec
Quebec residents may not participate

ffffffffffff

This. I feel ya my friend.

[Vinestra]

Then there's Oceanic countries stuck in the Euro. yay... (seriously what contests have team oceanic been allowed to enter ;-; )

[Kyne_Lyons]

I remember a long time ago, there was a really sour complaint by a poster on the Blizzard forums for a similar reason that got some circulation around the NA forums: http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/2587678782

Q: Why can't players from all countries participate in your contests?

A: Unfortunately there are restrictions outside our control that apply to contests of this kind, and we as well as our sponsors have to abide by the laws and regulations of the different countries in Europe. Some restrictions apply due to the value of the prizes, some due to the nature of the contest - wherein the definition of "game of chance" is a tricky one. We do our best to work with (or around) this and adapt our contests to the different regulations, but we will not gamble with the law and must therefore exclude some countries from our contests. We will continue to adapt our contests, gather additional information and look into the fine details of national lottery and contest laws to try include as many countries as possible in the future.

Any perceived inconsistencies can probably be attributed to the way winners are selected and how that can be defined as "a game of chance" within certain countries. Direct voting for winners may not be considered "a game of chance" and fall outside of the respective legal entities definition of gambling, whereas judges selecting a winner might be considered "a game of chance", it's really just a huge mess of technicalities that varies wildly from place to place but the law's the law.

I don't follow these contests closely so please don't try to quote me and pick apart my explanation nor do I remotely care, just understand that it's for legal reasons and Square Enix doesn't write the laws where you live, they just have to abide by them.

[Hito-Shura]

I've seen this on quite a few other games as well. I dunno what y'all do in Quebec, but MMORPGs fear you guys. XD

Quebec has a very strict language policy which requires everything to be made in both languages(English and French) such as the box covers and instruction manuals. This law extends to any services, products and events in the province. If something doesn't have a written translation, it cannot be sold in Quebec. That's why we can't have nice things.

Quebec is also the only province with 2 taxes which really causes a lot of problems in many importations but I doubt that's an issue in this case. Still... Could be. Quebec has really stupid laws.

[Etiken]

So you're saying this contest is only avaiable to USA and Canada players because of NA rules? Guess I will never put my greedy roe hands on that Ahriman Choker then...

What? no. That's not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is that the country you live in has it's own rules against internet contests which prohibits SE to allow you to participate. It has nothing to do with out countries. It has everything to do with your country.

[Fevelle]

What? no. That's not what I'm saying at all. What I am saying is that the country you live in has it's own rules against internet contests which prohibits SE to allow you to participate. It has nothing to do with out countries. It has everything to do with your country.

Well it has nothing to do with brazilian laws, because our laws don't count online games and related things as game of chance but as cultural products, much like movies, books and documentaries. So, should I blame it on SE then? Because I want that Ahriman Choker.

[Etiken]

I just thought of something else and I wonder if this may have any affect on things. I am not a lawyer so I really don't know but it's just a thought.
I wonder if the fact that we pay a subscription has anything to do with it. Only people with an account can participate in these things, correct? Hosting a contest where people have to pay to enter may most definitely be against some countries laws. The reason SE can get away with it in some areas is because we aren't winning anything with monetary value. Iunno, just a thought.

[Etiken]

Well it has nothing to do with brazilian laws, because our laws don't count online games and related things as game of chance but as cultural products, much like movies, books and documentaries. So, should I blame it on SE then? Because I want that Ahriman Choker.

lol no no, don't blame SE just yet. Let me look into it for you. I'm going to find out what is in the Brazilian law that may scare SE away from allowing you to participate.