Are Online Raffles Legal in the UK?

Online raffles have exploded in popularity in recent years – from small-time Facebook draws for hampers to full-blown websites giving away cars, cash, and luxury holidays. But with so many people jumping in, the big question is: Are online raffles actually legal in the UK? The short answer? Yes – but only if you’re doing it properly.

Whether you’re thinking of running your own online raffle or you’re just wondering if it’s safe to enter one, let’s break down the legal bits, cut through the waffle, and tell you exactly where you stand.

The Law Behind Online Raffles in the UK

Under UK law, online raffles fall under the Gambling Act 2005, and more specifically are considered lotteries. If you’re charging people to enter and there’s an element of chance involved (like drawing a random winner), then yep – it’s a form of gambling.

But don’t panic – that doesn’t mean it’s illegal. It just means it needs to follow the rules.

There are three main types of lotteries in the UK:

• Society Lotteries (often run by charities)
• Customer Lotteries (for businesses offering raffles only to customers)
• Prize Competitions and Free Draws (where skill or a free entry route is available)

The kind that gets tricky – and where most people slip up – are raffles run as competitions but with no skill involved. If it’s just a paid ticket and a random draw, that’s a lottery – and it must either be licensed or fall under a legal exemption.

Do You Need a Licence to Run an Online Raffle?

If you’re running a raffle for profit or as a business, and you don’t meet the criteria for an exempt lottery (like a one-off private event or charity fundraiser), then you do need a licence.

Licences are issued by the Gambling Commission, and running a raffle without one can get you in serious trouble – we’re talking fines, bans, even prosecution.

But there’s a loophole many clever raffle sites use: they turn their raffle into a prize competition by adding a skill-based question. This transforms the draw into something legal without needing a gambling licence.

However, that “skill” must be genuine, and the question can’t be too easy. So “What’s 2+2?” – that won’t cut it.

Entering Online Raffles: Are They Safe?

If you’re just entering raffles and not running them, you’re pretty safe – as long as you stick to legitimate, UK-based raffle companies.

Here’s a quick checklist before entering:

• Is the raffle clear about entry fees and prizes?
• Does the site offer a free entry route (that’s usually a legal requirement)?
• Is the company registered or licensed?
• Can you see previous winners and terms and conditions?

If the answer to any of those is no – back away, mate. There are loads of scammy raffles out there pretending to be legal.

So… Can I Run an Online Raffle?

Yes, but with a few big BUTs:

• If you’re a business or profit-making entity, you’ll likely need a Gambling Commission licence.
• If you’re doing it for charity or a private group, you might be exempt – but you still have to follow strict rules.
• If you add a skill element (and offer a free entry route), you might be able to operate under prize competition rules – but don’t fake it.

And no matter what – you need clear terms, a fair draw, and you mustn’t mislead entrants. The UK Gambling Commission is watching!

Why Raffle Master Is the Safer Choice

At the end of the day, the world of online raffles can be a minefield if you’re not playing by the book. This is exactly why you’ll see a company like Raffle Master standing out – we tick ALL the boxes. From legal compliance and clear terms to proper licences, fair draws, and transparent winners – it’s all done right.

When you play with Raffle Master, you’re not just in with a chance to win – you’re playing with confidence.