Are writing competitions a scam?

I see different writing competitions all the time; I was wondering if any of them are legit. Perhaps it doesn’t fit my motive. I would like to have a go at getting published, but I guess I lack the how-to. Seemed easy enough to enter. If (big if) I win, then I get published. If not, I am out 25 bucks.

I wouldn’t be entering for the competition’s sake – just a chance that maybe things would go well.

Am I headed for a scam?
Am I just being lazy?

Go ahead, Fluther, tell me like it is.