Rafflers Certified Draws
How Do Online Raffles Work?
Online raffles are hugely popular, but exactly how do Online Raffles work?
Every online raffle provider should be following a set of standard rules in order to make the purchasing of tickets a fair, safe, secure and legal process. You will find that every legitimate website selling raffle tickets will consist of a very similar model that consists of the following elements:-
Ticket price
Each raffle will clearly show a cost per ticket. Many will have a temporarily reduced ticket cost known as ‘early bird’ tickets for those entering the raffle during a specific length of time. After this the tickets will rise to the original ticket cost.
Prize Description
What exactly you can win will be clearly stated, usually at the top of the raffle entry page. Further information about the prize can usually be found when scrolling further down the page.
Maximum Tickets on Sale
Every raffle should show the maximum amount of tickets on sale. The majority of websites will show how many tickets have been sold so far and how many are left.
Maximum tickets per person
Each person entering a raffle will be limited on how many tickets they can buy. For example, if 2000 tickets are on sale you maybe limited to only buying 50 of the tickets available.
Ticket Numbers
When purchasing a ticket you will either be allocated a random number, which you will receive via your given email address, or some websites allow you to choose your lucky numbers.
End Date
Every raffle will end on a specific day and time. Most raffles will show a countdown timer to notify you of when the raffle will close ready for a winner to be picked.
LIVE Draw Date
A Raffle entry page should show the precise time and date that a winner will be chosen. This process must be shown LIVE on social media. This time and date must never be extended, regardless of how many tickets are sold.
Random Number Generator
Each Raffle provider must use a trusted and well known random number generator to choose a winner. The common method used is Googles Free Number Generator. This is a popular choice due to the reliability of a number being chosen at random. Some providers use a physical approach, such as a lottery ball machine.
Winner is informed
Once a winning ticket has been chosen, a phone call, email or message on social media is used to inform the winner. A popular choice is contacting the winner LIVE on social media immediately after the winning ticket has been chosen. If the winner cannot be contacted then the raffle provider must do what they can to inform the winner over the coming days. Please check the Terms & Conditions of the raffle website to see if there is a cut off date for this in the circumstance that the winner cannot be contacted.
**Skill Based Question
The Gambling Act 2005 says that to avoid being an illegal lottery, a difficult question or problem puzzle must be set as part of the entry process. Furthermore, the question or puzzle must be difficult enough for a “significant” number of people to get wrong.
Here at Rafflers we have found it impossible to judge what is classed as ‘a question difficult enough that a significant number of people will get it wrong’ as what may be difficult to us may not be difficult to others, and vice versa.
The Gambling Commission has stated that as long as a FREE ENTRY route is available for entrants then an easy or multiple choice question is allowed.
The free entry route must be promoted and displayed at the same level as the paid for routes.
If you would like to learn more about the legal side of online raffles you may like to read ‘What is the Law for Online rafflers?‘
How Online Prize Draws Work - FAQ's
An online prize draw is a type of competition where participants purchase tickets through a website for the chance to win a specific prize. Each ticket is assigned a number, and when the draw closes, a random number generator or draw system selects a winning ticket. Legitimate UK prize draw websites follow a structured process that ensures the competition is fair, transparent, and compliant with UK regulations.
When entering an online prize draw, you buy one or more tickets at a fixed price listed on the competition page. Each ticket is assigned a unique number, either randomly or chosen by the entrant. These ticket numbers are then entered into the draw when the prize draw ends, giving participants a chance to win the advertised prize.
Online prize draw ticket prices vary depending on the value of the prize and the competition format. Some prize draws offer “early bird” tickets, which are sold at a lower price for a limited time before returning to the normal ticket price.
Yes. Legitimate online prize draws always state the maximum number of tickets available. Many websites also display how many tickets have already been sold and how many remain, helping entrants see how close the prize draw is to selling out.
No. Most online prize draw providers set a maximum number of tickets per person to keep the competition fair and prevent a single entrant from buying the majority of tickets.
The winner is usually chosen using a trusted random number generator (RNG) or a physical draw method such as a lottery ball machine. The selected number must match one of the sold ticket numbers, and that ticket holder becomes the winner.
Yes, most reputable online prize draw providers conduct the winner draw live on social media. A live draw ensures transparency and allows entrants to see the winning number being selected in real time.
Every prize draw has a clearly stated end date and time when ticket sales stop. Many prize draw websites also show a countdown timer so entrants can see exactly when the competition will close.
After the draw, the raffle operator will contact the winner by phone, email, or social media message. Some providers even call the winner live during the draw broadcast. If the winner cannot be contacted immediately, the operator will continue attempting to reach them according to the website’s terms and conditions.