The DCMS Voluntary Code for prize draw operators: a checklist for raffle sites
In November 2025 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published the Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators. Signatories had until 20 May 2026 to put it in place. If you run a raffle or competition website in the UK, this is the standard players, payment providers and advertisers now expect. Here's what it asks for, as a practical checklist.
- It covers three areas: protecting players, being transparent, and being accountable.
- The headline rules: 18+ only, no credit cards over £250 a month per player, no credit cards at all on instant win draws, and spending limits players can set.
- Free and paid entries must have the same chance, and the free route must be shown clearly before purchase.
- Prizes can't be lowered and draws can't be cancelled because sales are slow, and the end date shouldn't change.
- The Code is voluntary, but signatories are listed publicly on gov.uk.
Protecting players
Age checks
Prize draws should be for over-18s only, with a reasonable age verification process.
Check: your sign-up and checkout ask players to confirm their age, and your terms say entries from under-18s are void.
Credit cards
The Code says operators "should not accept credit card payments in excess of £250 per month per player", and "should not accept any credit card payments whatsoever for any instant win prize draws". This includes credit card payments made through a money service business.
Check: your payment provider can tell credit cards from debit cards, apply a monthly limit per player, and block credit cards on instant win draws.
Spending limits and breaks
Operators should offer maximum monthly spend limits, and players should be able to set their own limit, including £0. Players should also be able to suspend their account for at least six months, or close it permanently.
Check: players can set a limit and take a break from their account without contacting you.
Instant wins
Instant win prize draws "should not form the majority" of your total number of competitions at any given time. The free entry route has to work for instant win draws too, with clear information on how it works for them.
Check: keep a balance of main draws and instant win draws on your site, and explain how free entries can win instant prizes. More in our guide to instant wins.
Complaints, harm and marketing
- A clear, transparent and robust complaints process, with dispute resolution where needed
- Monitoring for signs of harm, and signposting players to support
- Marketing that follows the CAP and BCAP codes, and never suggests a prize draw is a solution to money problems
Being transparent
Rules and odds
Each type of draw needs a clear summary of how it's run and its rules, saying prizes are awarded in accordance with the laws of chance. Where possible, players should get clear information before they enter about their likelihood of winning, such as the maximum number of tickets available.
Check: every raffle page shows the number of tickets available and links to clear rules.
How winners are drawn
Prizes should be awarded by an independent person, or under their supervision, unless winners are picked by a computer process with verifiably random and auditable results, or by a certified drawing machine. The method should be published on your website.
Check: your site explains how draws work, and you can show a record of each draw. See how to pick a raffle winner fairly.
The free entry route
Free and paid entries should have an equal chance of winning each prize. The free route must be shown clearly and prominently before purchase, and any free method other than post should be neither more expensive nor less convenient than paying. Closing dates need to allow time for free entries to arrive.
Check: the free route is on every raffle page, not just in the terms. More in our guide to the free entry route.
Prizes
You should deliver the advertised prize or a reasonable cash alternative. You shouldn't give a prize of lower value or cancel a draw because ticket sales are low, and you shouldn't change the date a draw ends.
Check: size each draw so you're comfortable running it to the end, whatever sells.
Charity claims
If you say a draw supports a good cause, set out clearly how, publish the amounts and how often where possible, and follow the Code of Fundraising Practice if you promote the charity element.
Being accountable
- Monitor your own compliance with the Code
- Make sure third parties working for you follow it too
- Share best practice with other operators
- Publish the measures you've taken on your website
Is the Code the law?
No. It's voluntary, and the Code says that not following it "will not of itself constitute a breach of an operator's legal responsibilities". It also doesn't replace your duties under data protection law. But signatories are listed on gov.uk, concerns can be raised with DCMS, and it's quickly become the benchmark for running a responsible raffle site.
How Reffle sites follow the Code
Reffle is a signatory to the Code, and every Reffle site is set up to follow it:
- 18+ confirmation before players can play
- spending limits and self-exclusion that players manage themselves
- compliance pages on every site, covering complaints, player protection, debt advice and how instant wins work
- the free entry route built into every raffle, with free entry management in your dashboard
- odds information and minimum draw times on your raffles
Want to see it in action? Book a free demo.
This checklist is a summary for raffle operators, not legal advice. Always read the full Code on gov.uk. Source: DCMS, Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators (gov.uk, published November 2025). Last checked October 2026.
