Possible illegal lottery

mjm3346

A no added cost entry route (often talked of as "Free" entry) enables a site to get away from all sorts of regulations that would otherwise apply - doesn't mean such a site is always crooked it just removes so many restrictions/regulations  that would apply if operated just as a lottery. Also easy to shut up shop and simply start over (with bulging bank accounts perfectly safe)

Danglydino

mjm3346 said:

A no added cost entry route (often talked of as "Free" entry) enables a site to get away from all sorts of regulations that would otherwise apply - doesn't mean such a site is always crooked it just removes so many restrictions/regulations  that would apply if operated just as a lottery. Also easy to shut up shop and simply start over (with bulging bank accounts perfectly safe)

Is it not wrong though that there isn't enough time to enter them using their free route? Some of their competitions are only hours long anything from 6 - 48 hours which wouldn't let anyone enter in such a short time frame? That's the main reason I reported them but they paid people for reviews on all platforms. So when someone has looked at that they look amazing and genuine but the reviews were paid for. There's just so much not right with them.

Just to note they do have longer competitions but most do not have enough time to enter via postal route. They also don't promote the postal route at all compared to the paid route. Which I believe is another no no. Ah I don't know. I'm just really frustrated for myself and a few others who are completely being taken advantage of. Luckily for me I have stopped and have no want to play any type of gambling games anymore. I thought I was helping people by participating too with charities etc but I don't believe that either anymore.

mjm3346

No need for them to promote a "free" entry route as much as the paid entry ones , ITV (and others) mention the postal route but do not promote it any where near as much, Bauer are the same with Make Me a Winner etc, the site naturally guides you to the pay route although the other numbers are there (I don't think on air gives the 0330 numbers)
National Lottery and Peoples Postcode lottery give to charity but if the aim is raising money for charity and not the chance of personal gain then just give directly to charity (with gift aid if applicable)

Danglydino

mjm3346 said:

No need for them to promote a "free" entry route as much as the paid entry ones , ITV (and others) mention the postal route but do not promote it any where near as much, Bauer are the same with Make Me a Winner etc, the site naturally guides you to the pay route although the other numbers are there (I don't think on air gives the 0330 numbers)
National Lottery and Peoples Postcode lottery give to charity but if the aim is raising money for charity and not the chance of personal gain then just give directly to charity (with gift aid if applicable)

They are for financial/personal gain. They have made millions and now refer to themselves as a multimillion pound business and according to the Gambling Commission website it states that the free entry route needs to be promoted the same as paid route to avoid being an illegal lottery, they also need to have a start and end timein their draws which thwy do not. Just end date. To be fair I do see ITV promote the free entry route quite clearly. Not so much with this place at all though.
We aren't sure they do donate to charity but they state £2000 per week goes to charity. They've stated alot of things actually and none of them appear to be true. 

Danglydino

mjm3346 said:

No need for them to promote a "free" entry route as much as the paid entry ones , ITV (and others) mention the postal route but do not promote it any where near as much, Bauer are the same with Make Me a Winner etc, the site naturally guides you to the pay route although the other numbers are there (I don't think on air gives the 0330 numbers)
National Lottery and Peoples Postcode lottery give to charity but if the aim is raising money for charity and not the chance of personal gain then just give directly to charity (with gift aid if applicable)

Sorry I missed this off my reply. This is copied and pasted from the gambling commission website:
If you run a free draw with a paid entry route, you must make sure that:

people can choose to take part without paying 

the free entry route can be no more expensive and must be no less convenient than the paid route

the free entry route must also be available at the normal rate. For example, you cannot use special delivery in the free route and First Class in the paid route 

the free entry route must be promoted and displayed at the same level as the paid for routes

the choice between the free entry route and the paid entry route must be promoted so that people who want to participate can see it 

the system that determines prizes should not recognise the two routes as different. I am unable to post the link directly to to them but if you Google free postal route gambling commission, it should take you to the page I copied and pasted from.

mjm3346

I am aware of the relevant legislation, as I said "free" does not mean it costs nothing just there is no additional charge to enter that way (2nd class post, phone call, text). I was referring to the players who enter not the sites with "National Lottery and Peoples Postcode lottery give to charity but if the aim is raising money for charity and not the chance of personal gain then just give directly to charity (with gift aid if applicable). 
Here is the front page of the winhappy site (proper site)

https://winhappy.com/

There is very little mention of "free" entry routes but they are there and that is all that seems to be required.

Danglydino

mjm3346 said:

I am aware of the relevant legislation, as I said "free" does not mean it costs nothing just there is no additional charge to enter that way (2nd class post, phone call, text). I was referring to the players who enter not the sites with "National Lottery and Peoples Postcode lottery give to charity but if the aim is raising money for charity and not the chance of personal gain then just give directly to charity (with gift aid if applicable). 
Here is the front page of the winhappy site (proper site)

There is very little mention of "free" entry routes but they are there and that is all that seems to be required.

Hi I am aware free postal route means the cost of a stamp i am not disputing the costs etc im not sure if you are misunderstanding my post or not but like I say I got the promoting both paid and free route at the same levels from the gambling commission website so I think based on that that it is likely that they are working in an illegal manner especially when there isn't enough time to enter most of the competitions this way. Paying people £1 site credit each for trustpilot reviews, Google reviews and facebook reviews too just doesn't scream genuine or correct either but thank you for coming back to me. All feedback and advice is appreciated and what i came here for. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

mjm3346

These "raffle" sites are a licence to print money (except no licence is required) and appear on FB from time to time. I wouldn't spend a penny on them when there are so many UK licenced bookmakers/casinos out there. If I offered pay text, pay phone call and pay internet plus a "free" route the "free" route would need far less promotion than if there was only 1 pay route


Best advice/support would probably be from 

 https://www.gamcare.org.uk/

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Freelikeabird

Very sorry to hear you've been caught out by them, but I'm glad you have decided not to spend money on these types of things again. A painful and expensive lesson, but at least it will stick in your mind and hopefully guide you away from it if you were tempted again.

I know you've mainly posted here for advice, but thank you also for sharing your story. Even without naming the company you might make someone think twice before entering something similar! Thank you for reporting them too. You've definitely done the right thing.

As for your other question about the free competitions and getting spam - many people on here (me included) have set up specific email addresses for comping and then it doesn't matter if they send you newsletters etc. Just be careful if you get emails saying you've won - check here if you're unsure and never pay anyone anything or give unnecessary information to receive a prize (eg if it's a DVD they don't need your bank details etc).

Danglydino

Freelikeabird said:

Very sorry to hear you've been caught out by them, but I'm glad you have decided not to spend money on these types of things again. A painful and expensive lesson, but at least it will stick in your mind and hopefully guide you away from it if you were tempted again.

I know you've mainly posted here for advice, but thank you also for sharing your story. Even without naming the company you might make someone think twice before entering something similar! Thank you for reporting them too. You've definitely done the right thing.

As for your other question about the free competitions and getting spam - many people on here (me included) have set up specific email addresses for comping and then it doesn't matter if they send you newsletters etc. Just be careful if you get emails saying you've won - check here if you're unsure and never pay anyone anything or give unnecessary information to receive a prize (eg if it's a DVD they don't need your bank details etc).

Thank you so much for such an empathetic, kind response. I really do hope I help deter people from these vultures. I think most people are right with their advice here and I just need to let the right people do what they need to and hope I've provided enough evidence to support what I think is going on. As long as I steer clear now it's all I can do. I will give the free competitions a try. May help my anxiety! Thank you so much again for your feedback it means alot. Have a lovely weekend 🙂 xx