How we rate competition sites
Every UK competition site we track is independently assessed across twelve trust indicators, plus a terms and conditions analysis. The resulting score maps to a letter grade from A+ to F. Each indicator reflects a practice the operator declares or publishes — in their terms, on their site, or in public records. We check that it is stated; we do not individually test that each one is honoured in practice (for example, that a free-entry route actually works).
These indicators reward transparency and good practice — so a lower grade or a missing indicator doesn't mean a site is untrustworthy. It usually means they simply haven't adopted (or published) a particular practice we check for. Not every indicator carries the same weight either: core consumer protections count for more than the presentational or reputational signals.
Odds Presented in a Clear Format
Displays the odds of winning in a recognisable format (e.g. "1 in 875") so entrants can make an informed decision.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Entry List Visible
A visible list of entrants or ticket numbers lets entrants confirm their entry was recorded and the draw is transparent.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Winners Published
Past winners are publicly listed, giving confidence that prizes are genuinely awarded.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Free Entry Available
A free postal or online entry route is offered alongside paid entries, as UK law requires for prize draws.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Secure Payments
Payments are handled by a recognised, regulated provider — a card gateway such as Stripe or PayPal, or a regulated open banking provider.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Government Voluntary Code
Signed up to the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for prize draw operators.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Player Controls
Offers responsible-play features such as spending limits, opt-outs, or self-exclusion.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Age Verification
Entrants confirm they are over 18 before they can enter, so only adults take part.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Charitable Contributions
Supports charitable causes and — as the DCMS code requires — discloses those contributions transparently.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Independent Certification
Uses an independently verified draw method. Publicly verifiable, mathematically provable schemes such as drand contribute the most.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Trustpilot Reputation
A stronger Trustpilot presence — a higher rating and more reviews — builds trust over time.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Established Business
A longer operating history demonstrates long-term commitment and stability.
Learn what it is & how to earn it →Terms and conditions analysis
We read the terms and conditions for every site we track, flagging clauses that may be unfavourable to consumers. Categories include unfair prize substitution, blanket no-refund policies, broad liability exclusions, IP rights seizure, and more. Points are deducted from the trust score for each category of hostile clause found.
Some context on what this does and does not mean. Terms and conditions are written to protect the company, not the customer, and that is their job. Most operators use a standard template, so the same clauses turn up again and again across the industry: two of the wordings we flag most often appear on more than 200 of the sites we track. A flag is not a claim that a clause is unlawful, badly drafted, or unusual, and it is not an accusation against the operator.
What we are doing is narrower. We pull out the terms you might want to know about before you spend money, so you can read them yourself and decide. The clause is always quoted in full on the site's page, with a link to the operator's own terms.
Letter grades
Our ratings are based on publicly observable criteria and data analysis. This is not a guarantee of legitimacy, prize fulfilment, or financial security. We are not affiliated with any competition site. Always do your own research before entering competitions or spending money.