Updated guidance issued on prize competitions and free draws

Press release

Date: 2 November 2007

Updated guidance on where the boundary lies between lotteries, prize competitions and free draws under the provisions in the Gambling Act 2005 is published today by the Gambling Commission.  The revisions address two issues which the Commission said it would consider further when it published its initial comprehensive guidance in June 2007.

These issues are the circumstances in which:

  • the use of ‘free web entry' allows a scheme to qualify as a ‘free draw'; and
  • quiz questions involve sufficient skill or knowledge for a scheme to qualify as a prize competition.

The Commission has also published today a document that provides an explanation of the changes.  Key conclusions are:

  • ‘free web entry' needs to be available for a sufficient period and to be sufficiently publicised such that potential participants have a genuine opportunity to use it;
    multiple choice questions used in prize competitions should have sufficient numbers of plausible and relevant alternative answers.

Tom Kavanagh, Deputy Chief Executive at the Gambling Commission said: "We are pleased to publish this further guidance which is intended to ensure that those organising prize competitions and free draws operate within the provisions of the new Gambling Act." Prize competitions and free draws - The requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 - December 2009

  • Notes to editors

    1. The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the public interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to government on gambling in Britain.
    2. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) respectively.