What Is the Government Voluntary Code for Prize Draws? A Plain-English Guide

What Is the Government Voluntary Code?

The Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators is a set of consumer protection standards published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in November 2025. You can [read the full Code on gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voluntary-code-of-good-practice-for-prize-draw-operators/voluntary-code-of-good-practice-for-prize-draw-operators).

It came into effect on 20 May 2026.

The Code was introduced because the UK prize draw market has grown rapidly. It is now worth an estimated GBP1.3 billion annually, with more than 400 active operators and over 7.4 million adult participants. With that kind of scale came a problem: no consistent standards existed across the industry. Some operators ran transparent, well-managed draws. Others were harder to scrutinise. Players had no reliable way to tell the difference.

The Code changes that. Operators who sign up commit to a defined set of standards around how they treat players, how transparently they run draws, and how they handle complaints. Signing up is voluntary, but the list of signatories is public and published by DCMS.

Who Has Signed the Code?

Over 100 operators have signed the Code so far, including most of the UK's largest and most established names:

• BOTB
• Elite Competitions
• McKinney Competitions
• Dream Car Giveaways
• Omaze UK
• Aspire Competitions
• Bounty Competitions
• Click Competitions
• 7 Days Performance

You can check whether a specific operator is a signatory on the DCMS website.

All operators featured on RaffleScout are Government Voluntary Code signatories — including [McKinney Competitions](/operators/mckinney-competitions), [Rev Comps](/operators/rev-comps), [Aspire Competitions](/operators/aspire-competitions), and [Dream Car Giveaways](/operators/dream-car-giveaways).

On RaffleScout, every operator listing shows clearly whether they have signed the Code or not. Look for the Voluntary Code badge on operator profile pages.

What Does Signing the Code Actually Commit Operators To?

The Code covers three areas. Here's what each one means in practice.

Player Protections

Operators who sign up must:

• Restrict entry to adults only (18+) and implement a reasonable age verification process
• Not accept credit card payments above GBP250 per month per player, and ban credit cards entirely for instant win draws (a measure specifically targeting problem gambling behaviour)
• Provide clear information about responsible play, including signposting to gambling support services
• Have a proper complaints process, with an independent dispute resolution route if a complaint can't be resolved directly
• Not extend draw closing dates simply to sell more tickets

That last point is significant. One of the most common complaints about competition sites is that draw dates keep getting pushed back when ticket sales are slow. The Code explicitly prohibits this. If an operator has signed up, they have committed to drawing on the stated date regardless of how many tickets have sold.

Transparency

Signed operators must:

• Clearly state the maximum number of tickets available for every competition, so you know the exact odds before you buy
• Publish the draw date and method in advance, and stick to it
• Conduct draws transparently, typically via live stream or recorded video using a random number generator
• Publish winner information after each draw, including name (with consent), prize, and draw outcome
• Display full terms and conditions in plain language before purchase

This is the section most relevant to everyday players. Transparent odds, guaranteed draw dates, and published winners are the three things that separate a properly run operator from a questionable one. The Code makes all three mandatory for signatories.

Accountability

Operators must:

• Cooperate with DCMS reviews and share data on player protection measures when requested
• Ensure third parties (including affiliate marketers) follow the same standards
• Work with other operators to share best practice across the industry

Why Does This Matter for Players?

In plain terms: a Code signatory has made a public, verifiable commitment to a minimum standard of fairness. A non-signatory hasn't.

That doesn't automatically mean a non-signatory operator is bad. Many smaller or newer operators run excellent, well-managed draws and simply haven't yet signed up. But it does mean you have less formal assurance of what to expect.

When you're deciding whether to spend money on a competition, the Code signatory status should be one of several signals you look at, alongside Trustpilot reviews, draw history, and how long the operator has been running.

On RaffleScout, we display all of these signals in one place for every listed operator, so you can compare them without having to check each site individually.

Will the Code Become Mandatory?

Possibly, and the direction of travel suggests yes, eventually.

The Code is explicitly described by DCMS as a first step. The pace of regulatory activity around the prize draw market has increased significantly since 2022, when the Competition and Markets Authority began examining the sector. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 already gave regulators new powers in adjacent areas.

Most industry observers expect the Voluntary Code to be the precursor to mandatory regulation within the next three to five years, particularly if evidence emerges of player harm or systematic non-compliance.

For players, that's a positive development. For operators, it means the standards being set now are likely to become legal requirements later, making early adoption the sensible path.

How RaffleScout Uses the Code

We believe the Voluntary Code is the most useful trust signal available in the UK prize draw market right now, and we've built it into every operator listing on the site.

Here's what you'll find on every RaffleScout operator page:

• Voluntary Code: Signatory or Voluntary Code: Not yet signed (clearly displayed)
• Trustpilot score and review count (updated regularly)
• Company registration number (verified against Companies House)
• Draw format (live / automated / InstaWin)
• Years in operation
• Typical ticket price range

Our goal is to give you everything you need to make an informed decision before you spend a penny, all in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Voluntary Code a legal requirement? Not yet. Signing is currently voluntary, though the Code has been published by DCMS and has government backing. Mandatory regulation may follow in future years.

Does signing the Code mean a competition is guaranteed to be legitimate? It means the operator has committed to a defined set of standards. It's a strong positive signal, but you should always also check Trustpilot reviews, look at the operator's winner history, and read the terms and conditions before entering.

What happens if a signatory operator breaks the Code? Operators are expected to cooperate with DCMS reviews. The Code includes a dispute resolution process for players. Persistent non-compliance could result in public removal from the signatory list.

What does it mean for me if a draw date gets extended? Under the Code, signatories are not permitted to extend draw closing dates simply to sell more tickets. If this happens with a signed operator, you have grounds to raise a formal complaint via the operator's complaints process.

Can I enter competitions from operators who haven't signed the Code? Yes. Many non-signatory operators run perfectly legitimate competitions. The Code status is one signal among several. RaffleScout lists both signatories and non-signatories, with the status clearly displayed so you can make your own choice.

Where can I find the full list of signatories? The official list is published on the GOV.UK website. RaffleScout also displays signatory status on every operator listing.