Rafflers Certified Draws
I’ve Been Scammed!! What Do I do?
Rafflers is doing their upmost to prevent online raffle scams. However, there are those outside of our radar that continue to act as a legitimate company. They continue to scam ticket buyers out of their hard earned cash! If you feel you have been scammed but not sure what to do about it, then there are some steps you can take.
Contact The Gambling Commision
As explained in our ‘What is the Law for Online Raffles’. we point out that an online raffle (prize competition) that does not follow the law outlined by The Gambling Commission will result in them being classed as an ‘Illegal Lottery’.
Although the Gambling Commission do not officially regulate Online Raffles, they state very clearly that any illegal lotteries can be reported to them.
You can contact the Gambling Commission using the details below..
Monday 10am to 4pm
Tuesday 11am to 4pm
Wednesday 10am to 4pm
Thursday 10am to 4pm
Friday 10am to 4pm
You can also submit an online form over at..
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/forms/contact-centre/form
Contact Action Fraud
If you have lost money through an online raffle that proves to be a scam, then we would recommend contacting the Action Fraud team. They deal with online fraudulent behaviour and may help you with returning the money you have lost.
TYou can get advice and further information about their services on the details below..
Monday-Friday
8am-8pm
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed
You also have the option to contact them via a LIVE CHAT portal. Just head over to their website and find the chat icon located at the bottom right of your screen.
Learn how to avoid Online Raffle scams on Facebook. You might like ‘Online raffle Scams’
Online Prize Draw Scams – FAQ's
If you believe you have been scammed by an online prize draw website, the first step is to gather as much evidence as possible. This may include screenshots of the website, payment confirmations, messages from the organiser, or details of the draw. You should then report the issue to the relevant authorities and your bank to help prevent further losses and assist with investigations.
Yes. Although the UK Gambling Commission does not regulate legitimate prize draws, they do investigate illegal lotteries. If an online prize draw does not follow the rules set out in the Gambling Act 2005, it may be considered an illegal lottery and can be reported to the Gambling Commission for investigation.
An online prize draw becomes an illegal lottery if it fails to meet the legal requirements for a prize draw. For example, if the draw simply sells tickets and chooses a winner at random without including a valid skill-based question or compliant entry process, it may fall within the definition of a lottery and require a gambling licence.
If you have been scammed by a fake prize draw website, contact your bank or payment provider immediately. Depending on how you paid, they may be able to investigate the transaction and potentially recover your funds. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of resolving the situation.
To reduce the risk of online prize draw scams, always check that the draw provider appears legitimate. Look for signs such as:
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A registered UK company
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Clear terms and conditions
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Transparent live draws or winner announcements
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Evidence of previous winners
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A professional website and secure payment methods
Taking a few minutes to verify these details can help you avoid fraudulent online prize draws.
Rafflers works to educate both prize draw operators and participants about how legitimate online prize draws should operate. By promoting transparency, fair draw processes, and proper prize draw structures, Rafflers helps highlight the difference between genuine prize draw businesses and potential scams within the industry.