Are online raffles legal in the UK?
Short answer: many are lawful when structured correctly, but there are important rules around gambling, lotteries and prize competitions.
This guide is intentionally high-level and not legal advice. If you're launching your own site you should speak to a qualified solicitor or compliance specialist.
Prize competitions vs lotteries
UK law distinguishes between:
- Lotteries, which are generally regulated gambling products; and
- Prize competitions, which can be exempt where there is sufficient skill, judgement or knowledge involved.
Most commercial “raffle” sites describe themselves as prize competitions.
What this means for players
As a player:
- Check that the operator clearly explains how the competition works
- Look for a real registered business you can identify
- Read the terms, including significant terms and any free-entry route
- Treat entries as discretionary spending, not investment or savings
RaffleCompare does not provide legal opinions. We simply summarise public information and manual checks across UK-facing operators.