How much do you pay for a stamp

How Much Do You Pay For A Stamp?

How much do you pay for a stamp in 2026 and why is the cost of a stamp relevant to online prize draws?

As a reminder, online prize draw tickets can be purchased at a specific price, or you can enter for free with 99% of the online prize draw providers. Entering for free usually consists of sending a postcard to a designated address, including the required information set out by the prize draw provider. This is usually the name, the address and the correct answer to the question for the online prize draw you are entering.

To send your postcard entry you will need to buy a stamp. The stamp can either be 1st or 2nd class but it is the entrants responsibility to make their postcard arrive before the relevant end date.

So, a 2nd class stamp (the cheapest) currently costs, in 2026, a total of 87p. This then would be the best way to enter as it will save you money compared to purchasing a ticket. However, what if the cost of a ticket is less than the cost of a second class stamp? Suddenly, entering for free is costing you more than a paid ticket and you are placed at a huge disadvantage to those entering via the paid route.

A Huge Disadvantage

All online prize draw providers should be aware that tickets should not cost less than entering for free. This simply places those entering for free at a huge disadvantage. It makes the free entry process essentially void and entrants are forced to pay the price of a ticket. Furthermore, let’s not forget that the only reason the online prize draw businesses can operate, is by ensuring that they provide a free entry process. Not providing this places them under the category of an ‘illegal lottery’, the term used by the UK Gambling Commission. 

Conclusion

As explained above, the cost of a ticket must not be cheaper than the cost of a 2nd class stamp. Therefore, every time the cost of a stamp goes up, the minimum cost of a ticket must also rise to either match the cost of a stamp or exceed it.

To conclude, if you know how much a 2nd class stamp costs, then simply make sure the cost of purchasing a ticket is not lower than this. If the cost is lower, then you are being placed at a huge disadvantage when entering for free. The online prize draw provider will be misleading you and we suggest you don’t enter the draw.

If you would like further information about the free entry route then you may find our dedicated page ‘Free Entry Rules‘ helpful.