Is there an organisation for reporting competition irregularities?

Deisel_Weisel

I’m familiar with the numerous car raffle type competitions/draws, but my question relates to a watch raffle competition.

As far as I know, the UK car raffle comps are legally required to provide a ‘free’ postal entry route, alongside the paid entry tickets. Would that be the same for UK Watch raffles? I’m aware of a UK watch raffle comp, that appears not to be offering a postal option. I have checked their small print, and can see no mention. Also, this company has, as one of it’s owners, someone who has a history of deception.

Who do I report my concerns to?  

cooldude255220

If there is no free entry route (not necessarily postal) then it would be classed as an illegal lottery: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/guide/page/free-draws-and-prize-competitions

The Gambling Commission would be the people to report it to: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/contact-us/page/report-something-in-confidence.

As an aside, free entry routes have to be "no less convenient than the paid route", so I wonder whether free postal entries instead of online paid entries meet this requirement...

Deisel_Weisel

Thanks very much. I was thinking the Gambling Commision might be the place.

Yes, a postcard isn't free, it needs a stamp, and not as easy as a few clicks online, but that's all I've ever seen the car giveaways using. Seems to satisfy the GC. Of course, if it were as easy as a click online, they'd never sell any paid tickets, and the whole thing wouldn't be sustainable.

mjm3346

cooldude255220 said:

If there is no free entry route (not necessarily postal) then it would be classed as an illegal lottery: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/public-and-players/guide/page/free-draws-and-prize-competitions

The Gambling Commission would be the people to report it to: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/contact-us/page/report-something-in-confidence.

As an aside, free entry routes have to be "no less convenient than the paid route", so I wonder whether free postal entries instead of online paid entries meet this requirement...

The postal entry route is generally fine and unless the law has recently changed is the route sanctioned by parliament - no cost beyond the normal service charge (say for 2nd class postage) is fine it doesn't have to be free

(not forgetting that a licenced operation doesn't need a free entry route)

mjm3346

Deisel_Weisel said:

Thanks very much. I was thinking the Gambling Commision might be the place.

Yes, a postcard isn't free, it needs a stamp, and not as easy as a few clicks online, but that's all I've ever seen the car giveaways using. Seems to satisfy the GC. Of course, if it were as easy as a click online, they'd never sell any paid tickets, and the whole thing wouldn't be sustainable.

I have looked at some of the sites that offer watches and there were free entry routes on all of them - do you have a link to the particular site? (if skill is required to enter that can also help with what is required)

mjm3346

Like say "spot the ball" it is possible the skill element is being used to count them as prize competitions rather than lotteries in which case a free entry route is not required 

What is a prize competition?

A prize competition is where the outcome is determined by the participants skill, judgement or knowledge. 

The organisers of a prize competition must be able to show that the skill, knowledge or judgement required will: 

discourage people wishing to enter from doing so because it is too difficult 

prevent a proportion of those who enter from winning a prize 

Multiple choice questions, or questions that allow a second chance if your first answer is wrong, rarely meet this criteria.  

Do I need a licence to run a free draw or prize competition?

You do not need a licence or permission to run a free draw or prize competition as long as they are being ran in a way that meets the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 (opens in a new tab).

mjm3346

In their FAQs they state they are not a lottery

Is this a lottery?

No, it is a prize competition, the outcome of which depends on the application of knowledge and/or skill.

Deisel_Weisel

I messaged mjm3346 the company, because I didn't want to out them publicly by name.
 mjm3346 said:

In their FAQs they state they are not a lottery

Is this a lottery?

No, it is a prize competition, the outcome of which depends on the application of knowledge and/or skill.

Clearly the 'outcome' is by lottery, not knowledge and/or skill, so I'll be reporting them. 

mjm3346

Deisel_Weisel said:

I messaged mjm3346 the company, because I didn't want to out them publicly by name.
 mjm3346 said:

In their FAQs they state they are not a lottery

Is this a lottery?

No, it is a prize competition, the outcome of which depends on the application of knowledge and/or skill.

Clearly the 'outcome' is by lottery, not knowledge and/or skill, so I'll be reporting them. 

You have to give the correct answer to the question to get in the draw which can be enough to make it a prize draw and not a lottery - personally I don't think the question is hard enough to meet the criteria to sidestep the regulations on lotteries