Free draws and prize competitions
Prize competitions and free draws are free of statutory control
under the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act).
The Gambling Commission regulates society
lotteries and other forms of gambling in Great Britain and although
we have no responsibilities in respect of prize competitions and
free draws we have published advice
Prize competitions and free draws - the requirements of the
Gambling Act 2005 - December 2009 to help the organisers
understand the distinction between those schemes and lotteries.
Organisers of competitions and free draws
should be aware that it is their responsibility to ensure that such
schemes are operated lawfully and that the arrangements do not
constitute an unlawful lottery. We cannot offer advice on specific
proposals for competitions and free draws nor do we approve
individual schemes, but we may intervene if we consider that a
scheme is an unlawful lottery.
A quick guide entitled
Running a lottery - November 2009 is also available.