How we rate competition sites
Every site listed on RaffleCompare is scored against six independently-verifiable transparency criteria, plus a financial-sustainability check. The result is an A+–F grade.
The six transparency criteria
Each criterion is worth equal weight (20 points each, 120 total). We use automated crawling and manual checks to verify each one.
- 1
Voluntary Code of Practice
Is the operator registered at Companies House and do they display clear contact details? This is the foundation of any legitimate business.
Our proxy: Companies House registration + contact details verified
- 2
Published Odds
Can entrants see the total number of tickets available and how many have been sold? Transparent odds let players make informed decisions.
Our proxy: Live ticket sold/max data scraped from the operator's own site
- 3
Entry List / Draw Transparency
Are all entered tickets listed before the draw? Entrants should be able to verify their own entry number in the pool.
Our proxy: Draw history and previous winners section visible on site
- 4
Winners Published
Does the operator publish past winners with verifiable evidence such as a video, photo, or independent witness statement?
Our proxy: Draw history / winner announcements section found on site
- 5
Free Entry Route
UK law requires a free entry route for skill-based competitions to avoid being classed as a lottery. We verify that a genuine free route exists.
Our proxy: Free postal or online entry method verified
- 6
Secure Payments
Does the operator use a reputable payment processor and hold an active company registration? We also check independent customer reviews.
Our proxy: Active Companies House status + Trustpilot score ≥ 4.0 with ≥ 50 reviews
Financial sustainability
An operator can pass all six criteria and still be a financial risk if ticket revenue is consistently below the prize value they give away. We track crawled ticket sales data and estimated prize values. If the maths suggests the operator is routinely running at a loss, we apply a one-letter downgrade (e.g. A → B) as a caution flag — not a disqualification.
Grade bands
| Grade | Score range | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 96–100% | Exceptional — all 6 criteria met, strong financials |
| A | 80–95% | Excellent — 5–6 criteria met |
| B | 65–79% | Good — 4–5 criteria met |
| C | 50–64% | Fair — 3–4 criteria met |
| D | 35–49% | Below average — 2–3 criteria met |
| E | 20–34% | Poor — 1–2 criteria met |
| F | 0–19% | Failing — fewer than 2 criteria met |