Raffle prize ideas: what to offer and how to run prizes properly

The prize is the first thing players see, and the main reason they enter. The best raffle sites mix big headline prizes with smaller ones that run often, and they know exactly what their audience wants. Here are prize ideas that work for UK raffle sites, and how to run prizes properly.

Prize ideas that work

Cash and site credit

Cash is simple and always popular. Smaller cash prizes and site credit also work well as instant wins, and site credit brings winners back to play again.

Cars, vans and motorbikes

Big headline prizes that get attention. Think about tax, insurance and delivery, and expect some winners to prefer the cash alternative, so price that in.

Tech

Phones, games consoles, laptops, tablets, headphones and TVs are easy to source, easy to post and easy to understand.

Holidays and experiences

Holidays, weekends away, driving experiences and tickets to big events. Make the dates, what's included and any restrictions clear on the raffle page.

Home and garden

Hot tubs, garden furniture, barbecues, appliances and home makeovers. These work especially well as seasonal raffles.

Watches, jewellery and designer goods

Popular with the right audience. Buy from reputable sellers and keep proof that each item is genuine.

Niche and hobby prizes

Fishing tackle, golf kit, bikes, gaming setups, tools, collectables or pet products. A niche you know can bring a loyal audience and prizes they can't easily find elsewhere. You don't need one, though: a general raffle site works well when you're entertaining and build a following.

Local prizes

Vouchers and experiences from local businesses help you stand out in your area, and the business gets the publicity.

Seasonal prizes

Christmas gifts, summer holidays, Black Friday tech and back-to-school bundles. Timing prizes to the calendar keeps your site feeling fresh.

Getting the mix right

A good line-up usually includes:

• a headline raffle with a big prize
• smaller raffles that sell out quickly and give players frequent winners to see
• raffles with instant wins, kept to no more than half of your live raffles, as the DCMS Code expects
• recurring raffles that come back every day, week or month

More on that in our guide to instant wins.

How to run prizes properly

Describe them accurately

Use real photos of the actual prize, not stock images, and describe it accurately: the model, its condition and what's included. State the real value, and don't inflate it.

Be clear about cash alternatives

The DCMS Code says winners should promptly get the advertised prize "or a reasonable cash alternative". If you offer a cash alternative, show the amount on the raffle page, so players know before they enter.

Don't downgrade the prize

The Code also says you shouldn't give a prize of lower value because ticket sales are low. Only offer prizes you're happy to give away whatever sells, and see how to price raffle tickets to size each raffle.

Have the prize ready

Have the prize, or a firm way to get it, before the raffle goes live. Tell winners how and when they'll receive it, and keep proof of delivery.

Take care with age-restricted prizes

All raffle players should be 18 or over, but some prizes need extra care. Alcohol, for example, is best supplied and delivered by a licensed retailer. Social platforms also have their own rules on promoting age-restricted products, so check before you advertise them.

Prizes on Reffle

On Reffle you can offer several prizes or winners in one raffle, add instant prizes, set raffles to repeat automatically, and track every prize from won to delivered. Winners claim online, and your latest winners appear on your homepage automatically.

Want to see it? Book a free demo.

Prize ideas are suggestions only: check the rules that apply to any prize you offer. Code references: DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators, clauses 1.10 and 2.5 (gov.uk). Last checked October 2026.