How UK prize competitions work
A plain-English guide to prize competitions in the UK — what they are, how to enter safely, and what to watch out for.
The competition process
Buy a ticket (or enter free)
Most UK prize competitions sell tickets at a set price per entry. By law, they must provide a free postal entry route — you can enter without paying, but your odds may differ.
Wait for the draw date
Once all tickets are sold or the closing date is reached, the operator draws a winner. Reputable operators publish draw histories so you can verify past results.
Winner is announced
Winners are typically announced on the operator's social media or website. Always check the operator has a transparent draw process before entering.
Cash alternative
Many operators offer a cash alternative to the headline prize. For example, "Win a Ferrari or take £50,000 cash." This is regulated and must be stated in the terms.
Key terms explained
Ticket price
The cost of one entry into the competition.
Max tickets
The total number of tickets available. Sets the maximum number of entrants.
Sold percentage
What percentage of tickets have been sold. Higher = more competitive.
Odds (1 in N)
Your chance of winning with a single entry. Calculated from remaining tickets.
Draw date
When the winner will be selected. May vary if not all tickets sell.
Close date
The deadline to purchase tickets. After this, no more entries are accepted.
Cash alternative
A cash payout option instead of the physical prize.
Instant win
Some competitions include instant-win opportunities in addition to the main draw.
Skill question
A tie-breaker question to legally classify the competition and avoid gambling regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Are UK prize competitions legal?
Yes — prize competitions differ from lotteries because they require a skill element or provide a free entry route. They are regulated under the Gambling Act 2005. Always check the operator offers a genuine free entry route.
What is a free entry route?
Operators must allow you to enter for free by post or another method. The free entry route must be realistic and not deliberately difficult. RaffleCompare verifies whether operators provide this.
How are winners chosen?
Most operators use a random number generator (RNG) or a live draw to select winners. Transparent operators publish video evidence of the draw. RaffleCompare checks for draw history visibility.
What is a cash alternative?
Instead of accepting the physical prize (a car, holiday, etc.), winners can often take a cash equivalent. This is usually a lower amount than the headline prize value. Check the terms carefully.
How do I spot a scam?
Warning signs include no Companies House registration, no Trustpilot reviews, no free entry route, unclear draw mechanics, and no published winner history. RaffleCompare rates each site on all these factors.
What does RaffleCompare check?
We score every site against six transparency criteria: Voluntary Code of Practice, Published Odds, Entry List, Winners Published, Free Entry Route, and Secure Payments. We also apply a financial-sustainability check. The result is an A+–F trust grade.