Question

Does AppStore allow rewarding top players with real world gifts?

For example, in an iPhone game, the top 5 high-score players receive a T-shirt/book/watch?

Are there any apps doing something similar already? Thanks

Answer 1

It’s impossible to answer such questions as the situation changes drastically over the years. Purely for example, some text from Apple only relevant at time of writing:

"20. Contests, sweepstakes, lotteries,
and raffles

20.1 Sweepstakes and contests must be sponsored by the developer/company of
the app

20.2 Official rules for sweepstakes and contests, must be presented in the
app and make it clear that Apple is
not a sponsor or involved in the
activity in any manner

20.3 It must be permissible by law for the developer to run a lottery app,
and a lottery app must have all of the
following characteristics:
consideration, chance, and a prize

20.4 Apps that allow a user to directly purchase a lottery or raffle
ticket in the app will be rejected "

Note however that Apple is making it your problem with the law: you face the same problems of ANY type of company, doing ANY type of promotion.

There are incredibly many regulations involved with companies giving away stuff in promotions (in every jurisdiction).