a blue background with random coloured numbers located in the bottom half

Random Number Generators

Using Random Number Generators is an essential part of how winners are chosen in any online raffle. Any Random Number Generator used by the raffle providers should be a recognised and trusted method. The action of choosing a winner is almost always shown LIVE on social media to prove that a number has been picked completely at random.

How Are Random Numbers Chosen?

Online Raffle Providers will choose how are random numbers chosen. They have many options and methods to do so and will tend to stick to the same method for all of their online raffles. Which one they choose is exceptionally important in order to build trust that their method is fair and in no way fixed.

Which Random Number Generators do they use?

Most Popular Random Number Generators

Here are the most popular random number generators used by Online Raffle Providers. 

Google Number Generator

Google Number Generator is the most widely used random number generator by Online Raffle providers. It is free to use and is exceptionally easy to operate. It is as basic as its gets, but the less that can go wrong the better! 

How Does Google Number Generator Work?

To find the Google Number Generator, simply type ‘Google Number Generator‘ into the Google Search Engine.

Google will display a box with the number generator located inside. There are 4 main features:-

  • Minimum number to be entered
  • Maximum number to be entered
  • Generate Button
  • Random number display

Let us say, for example, 1000 tickets have been sold in an online raffle. The raffle provider would simply enter ‘1’ in the minimum number field and ‘1000’ in the Maximum number field. Clicking the ‘Generate’ button will signal the generator to choose a random number between the 2 numbers entered. The random number will be displayed on the left. In the example above, the number 540 has been randomly selected.

This is a very common method used by online raffle providers. It is easy to display during the LIVE draw on social media and is a trusted and recognised Google service.

Picker Wheel

Picker Wheel  is a great alternative to simply picking a number. It adds an element of fun for the viewer and is much more visually pleasing!

How Does Picker Wheel Work?

Picker Wheel is full of features and can be customised to suit the brand of the online raffle provider. 

 

The great feature of the Picker Wheel is that specific numbers can be uploaded. The simple example above shows numbers 1-10.

Once the chosen numbers have been added, a wheel will appear with the numbers separated into segments. Clicking the ‘SPIN’ button will start the wheel spinning.

The wheel will stop on a random number and explode with confetti once a number has been chosen. In the example above, the number 3 has been chosen out of numbers 1-10.

As you can see, this is much nicer on the eye and gives that extra sense of excitement for those waiting to see if their lucky number will be chosen.

Picker Wheel may not be ideal for ticket sales in the thousands as the numbers wont be very visible on the wheel. However, it is a great to choice for the smaller online raffle business looking to stand out during their LIVE draw!

Random.org

Random.org is a dedicated website for providing a variety of different formants for choosing random numbers. It provides both FREE and PAID services. 

Fortunately, one of the free services is a very simply random number generator. It works exactly the same as the Google Number Generator.

If, for example, a winner is to be chosen out of 100 ticket numbers. The smallest number is to be entered into the ‘Min’ field and the largest number in the ‘Max’ field. Clicking ‘Generate’ with result in a number being randomly chosen between the 2 numbers entered.

In this case, the number 60 has been chosen at random.

Lottery Ball Machine

A lottery ball machine is certainly the most flamboyant method of choosing a random number. Several online raffle providers do like to use this method and it looks great during a LIVE draw. 

Each ticket number sold for a specific online raffle will be loaded into the machine. The machine will be activated and all numbered balls will thoroughly mixed by the turning action of the machine. The turning of the machine is usually powered, however manual machines have also been known to be used.

When the Raffle provider is ready, the machine is stopped and a ball is chosen at random. 

Although a much more expensive method of choosing a number at random, it is reliable and exciting to watch.

The four methods above are the most popular choices for online raffle providers to choose winning ticket numbers. Other methods are used by various online raffle providers and if that is not listed here please do not assume that the method in question is in anyway incorrect.

If you’re not sure whether an online raffle ticket number is being chosen legitimately at random then feel free to contact us. We are always happy to have a look!

FAQs: Random Number Generators in Online Raffles

A Random Number Generator (RNG) is a tool used to select a winning ticket number at random in an online prize draw.

Online prize draw providers use RNG tools to ensure that the process of choosing a winner is fair, transparent, and not manipulated. The randomly selected number is then matched to the ticket holder with that number to determine the winner.

Random Number Generators are used to guarantee that every ticket has an equal chance of winning.

Using an RNG helps online prize draw providers demonstrate that:

  • The winner is selected completely at random

  • The draw process is fair and unbiased

  • The competition is transparent for all participants

For additional transparency, the winner selection process is often broadcast live on social media so participants can watch the draw happen in real time.

Yes, most legitimate online prize draw providers show the winner selection live.

Live draws are usually hosted on social media platforms such as Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or YouTube. During the broadcast, the host will display the random number generator or draw method so viewers can clearly see the winning number being selected.

This live process helps build trust and shows that the draw is not fixed or manipulated.

There are several recognised and trusted random number generator tools commonly used by online prize draw providers, including:

  • Google Number Generator

  • Picker Wheel

  • Random.org

  • Lottery ball machines

Each method is designed to produce a completely random number from the available ticket numbers.

The Google Number Generator is one of the most commonly used RNG tools for online prize draws.

To use it, the draw host simply:

  1. Enters the minimum ticket number (usually 1)

  2. Enters the maximum ticket number (for example 1000 if 1000 tickets were sold)

  3. Clicks Generate

Google then instantly displays a random number between the two values, which becomes the winning ticket number.

Because it is simple, reliable and easy to display on screen during a live draw, many prize draw providers prefer this method.

A trustworthy online prize draw provider should ensure that:

  • A recognised random number generator is used

  • The draw process is shown live on social media

  • The full list of ticket numbers is visible before the draw

  • The winning number is matched clearly to the winner’s name

These steps help confirm that the winner was selected completely at random.