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Free Entry Rules

The information below is a brief outline of how free entry rules are applied to the entry process. The main points are covered, but you can find the full requirements stated by the Gambling Commission within the Gambling Act 2005

The Gambling Act 2005 states the following:-

“a prize competition is one where success depends on the exercise of skill, judgment or knowledge by the participants and does not, as it does in a lottery, rely wholly on chance.”

To clarify, adding a skills based question as part of the entry process means that the competition no longer completely relies on chance in order to win. This completely separates prize competitions from a lottery where winning fully relies on chance only. 

What does this have to do with a free entry process? 

Why a Free Entry is Needed?

We have learned that a skills based question must be part of the entry process in order to be separated from the rules of a lottery. However, what if the skills based question is way too easy? Does the entry process rely on an element of skill anymore?

The answer to this is, No. If the question is clearly too easy, then the gambling commission will class the online raffle in question as an illegal lottery!

How then can a question be judged as too easy, or too difficult? Furthermore, what is difficult to one person may be easier to another!

This is where the free entry rules come into play.

The 2 Types of Free Entry

The 2 types of free entry rules are as follows:-

1. Where all entries are free

The Gambling Act 2005 states the following:-

‘Free’ is any method of communication charged at the normal rate, and specifically refers to the use of first or second class post.

Normal rate means that there can be no additional payment over what it normally costs to use a particular method of communication. For example, special delivery is not classed as free.

2. Where there is both a paid and a free entry route.

The Gambling Commission states If you run a free draw with a paid entry route, you must make sure that:

  • people can choose to take part without paying 
  • the free entry route can be no more expensive and must be no less convenient than the paid route
  • the free entry route must also be available at the normal rate. For example, you cannot use special delivery in the free route and First Class in the paid route 
  • the free entry route must be promoted and displayed at the same level as the paid for routes
  • the choice between the free entry route and the paid entry route must be promoted so that people who want to participate can see it 
  • the system that determines prizes should not recognise the two routes as different.

In simple terms, if a free entry route is available, it must be treated in the same way as the paid route.

The most common method for entering for free is via post. 

Free Postal Entry

You will find that the majority of online raffle providers will give entrants the choice of both purchasing a ticket or entering for free. Entering for free will usually require entrants to fill in a postcard with specific details and send to a chosen address. Once the postcard is received a ticket number will be allocated to the entrant, usually via an email.

As mentioned above, the free entry process must be treated in the same way as the paid entry. This includes the fact that the cost of sending a postcard MUST NOT cost more than the paid entry! If it does, this will place the entrant at a disadvantage and result in that specific online raffle being at risk of the gambling commission classing it as an illegal lottery.

A second class stamp (in 2026) costs 87p. It is essential then that this cost is not more than the cost of entering via the paid route.

Displaying the Free Entry Route

The free entry route must be displayed at the same level as the paid for routes. This essentially means that the free entry must be displayed in such a way that it is as visible as the eg ‘Buy a Ticket’ or ‘Buy Now’ button for those opting for the the paid route. Online raffle providers will mainly choose to display the free entry postal route just above or just below the ‘Buy Now’ button. This ensures that those entering can clearly see that a free entry route is available!

Terms & Conditions

Every online raffle provider should have terms & conditions that explain how the free entry works. The text eg. ‘See Free Postal Entry’ must be a clickable link. Upon clicking the text, the Terms & Conditions for the Free Entry route must be one click away. The entrant clicking the text should not need to search for this information through the main terms & conditions. 

If you would like to learn more about the entry process you mind find it beneficial to read our other post ‘Do I Need to Answer a Question to Enter?’

FAQs: Free Entry Rules for UK Prize Draws

Under the Gambling Act 2005, a prize draw must involve an element of skill, judgment, or knowledge and must not rely entirely on chance like a lottery.

If an online prize draw offers a paid entry route, it must also provide a genuine free entry option that:

  • Is available at the normal rate of communication (e.g. first or second class post)

  • Is no more expensive than the paid route

  • Is no less convenient than the paid route

  • Is clearly displayed and promoted equally

These rules are enforced by the Gambling Commission.

A free entry route protects a competition from being classified as an illegal lottery.

Even if a prize draw includes a skill-based question, if that question is too easy, the draw may still be considered chance-based. In that situation, the presence of a properly structured free entry route ensures the draw remains legally compliant under UK gambling law.

Without a compliant free entry process, the operator risks breaching UK regulations.

A prize draw requires participants to answer a skill-based question correctly. Winning must depend on skill, knowledge, or judgment.

A lottery, however, relies purely on chance.

If a question is deemed too easy, the prize draw may effectively become chance-based — which is where free entry rules become critical for compliance.

There are two recognised free entry models:

1. All entries are free
This means no payment is required beyond the normal communication rate (for example, standard first or second class post).

2. Both paid and free entry routes are available
In this case, the operator must ensure:

  • Entrants can genuinely choose to enter for free

  • The free route costs no more than the paid route

  • The free route is no less convenient

  • Both routes are promoted equally

  • The prize allocation system does not treat routes differently

“Free” does not mean zero cost, it means no additional cost beyond the normal rate of communication.

For example:

  • First or second class post = acceptable

  • Special delivery or premium services = not acceptable

The cost must reflect what it normally costs to send standard post, with no added premium.

The most common method is free postal entry.

This usually involves:

  • Sending a postcard to a specified address

  • Including required personal details

  • Providing the correct answer to the skill question

  • Receiving confirmation and ticket allocation via email

The operator must allocate ticket numbers to free entrants in the same way as paid entrants.

If the cost of a second class stamp (87p in 2026) is more than the ticket price, the entrant is financially disadvantaged.

This could result in the draw being classified as an illegal lottery because the free route is not genuinely equal.

Online prize draw ticket prices must therefore be set at or above the cost of standard postal entry.

The free entry route must be displayed at the same level of prominence as paid options.

For example:

  • It should appear close to the “Buy Now” or “Buy Ticket” button

  • It should not be hidden in small print

  • It must be clearly visible before purchase

The free entry option must be promoted so entrants can easily see they have a choice.

Every online prize draw provider should include clear Free Entry Terms & Conditions that:

  • Explain how to enter by post

  • Detail the required information

  • Outline deadlines

  • Confirm how ticket numbers are allocated

Importantly, the link (e.g. “See Free Postal Entry”) should be:

  • Clickable

  • Easy to find

  • No more than one click away

Entrants should never have to search through long general terms to find free entry rules.

If free entry rules are not properly followed:

  • The prize draw may be considered an illegal lottery

  • The operator may fall outside UK prize draw regulations

  • Participants may be misled

  • The business could face regulatory action

For online prize draw operators, compliance with free entry rules is not optional — it is essential for lawful operation in the UK.