Running raffles and prize competitions in the UK involves navigating gambling law carefully. This guide provides an overview — always seek independent legal advice for your specific situation.
Most Basecomp operators run prize competitions, not lotteries. The key distinction under the Gambling Act 2005 is that a lottery is a game of pure chance, while a prize competition requires an element of skill or judgement. Basecomp's competitions include a free-entry route and/or a skill question to maintain this distinction.
To avoid being classified as a lottery, competitions must offer a free entry route that is as prominent and accessible as the paid route. Basecomp automatically includes a free postal entry option on every competition page. Ensure this remains enabled — disabling it may make your competition a lottery, which requires a licence.
Prize values displayed should be the retail price inclusive of VAT. If you offer cash alternatives, the standard approach is retail price minus 20% (representing the VAT the winner would have paid if purchasing the prize themselves).
Every competition must have clear terms and conditions. Basecomp provides a customisable T&C template in Settings → Legal. Ensure your T&Cs include:
Competitions must be restricted to adults (18+). Basecomp's checkout includes a mandatory age confirmation step. For higher-value prizes, consider implementing formal age verification.