<human>: I went to an Italian Festival in my city and there was a booth to sign up for season tickets to the local football team. I got a phone call and mail correspondence yesterday saying that I had won one of a few different prizes, the least of which is $500 cash, but also I have the chance to win a luxury car (Porsche, BMW, or Mercedes Benz SUV) or the cash equivalent of $49,000.

In order to claim my prize, I have to drive to a resort, at which they will give me a 90-minute tour of the facility (and try to give me a hard sell to buy a timeshare or something). I do have the option to turn down the tour and get straight to my prizes, but if I do the tour, they will give me a vacation in the form of a flight and two-day accommodation to my choice of two cities or a four-day cruise for which I have to get there on my own. Like I said, I can turn down the tour and just get to my prizes.

I flat out asked the lady if given the choice between $500 and $49,000 cash, why would anyone choose the $500? Apparently, you get a scratch ticket with 25 golden squares on it and you must scratch 5 squares. If you scratch the identical 5 squares, you get the grand prize. Otherwise, there is a barcode to tell you which prize you won.

So what do you think? I know that this is a marketing ploy to sell a time share, but is it legit? I have been told that everybody that enters that drawing "wins" the prize, but if they are using this as advertising, are they really going to pick every name and offer the person at least $500 cash? Seems like that would get expensive quick, but advertising is worth a lot, I suppose.

What are your thoughts?

Can you give me a shortened version of the text?
<bot>: I won a sweepstakes with handsome prizes and I'm not sure if it's legit or just a marketing/advertising ploy or scam.