I have a family member who is really into winning contests. They have won tons of stuff similar to the people in the article. I have explained the time spent is not worth but they don't see it that way at all.

For them winning is exciting because it's random and unexpected. They also, do this when there is nothing else to do so it's their form of leisure. It costs nothing to enter and if you don't value that time anyways, like doing this instead of working, then why not? Which is different from going to a casino or playing the lottery which require you to pay to play.

The other issue I've explained to my family member is that their personal information is being handed out to tons of companies. I avoid handing out information so I don't get targeted for ads etc.. but I guess each to their own.