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.