How it works
Grand Draws runs skill-based prize competitions. Pick a cash prize, answer a genuine skill question, then enter with tickets from 9p, in minimum orders of 25, or free by post. Each competition is drawn by a provably-fair method at 9pm on its closing date, sold out or not, and you can check any result yourself. Because entry needs a genuine skill question and a free route is always open, these are prize competitions, not lotteries, run without a gambling licence under the Gambling Act 2005. 18+.
The journey of a ticket
Follow the brass token down the rail. A skill question and a free postal route sit on every competition. 18+.
- Published odds
Step 1: Pick a cash prize
Every draw is for tax-free cash, and every competition shows the same facts up front: the prize, the ticket price, how many tickets the draw has, the cap per person and the closing date. Prices start at 9p a ticket with a minimum order of 25, and because the numbers are published, so are your odds.
- No purchase necessary
Step 2: Answer the skill question, then choose how to enter
Each competition opens with a multiple-choice skill question, and only a correct answer qualifies your entry. That question is not decoration: it is one of the two things that make this a lawful prize competition rather than gambling. Then decide how many tickets to hold, or enter for nothing at all: the free postal entry route carries exactly the same odds as a paid ticket.
- Sold out or not
Step 3: The draw runs at 9pm on the closing date
Every draw goes ahead on its closing date, sold out or not. It runs automatically at 9pm on the closing date using a verifiable random method we cannot influence, and winners are selected at random from all qualifying entries, in accordance with the laws of chance. We never cancel, postpone or shrink a draw because of low sales.
- Independently verifiable
Step 4: The winner is paid, and anyone can check the result
We contact the winner directly, publish the result in the winners archive, and pay the tax-free cash straight into their bank. Draws are published, not streamed, and anyone can recompute one at /draw-check.
Prize competition, not lottery
A genuine skill question plus a free postal route make these prize competitions under the Gambling Act 2005, so no gambling licence is needed.
Every draw goes ahead
Every draw runs automatically at 9pm on its closing date, sold out or not, and every result is published and checkable.
Transparent draws
Verifiable random selection, published and checkable, with a public winners archive.
Common questions
Are prize competitions legal in the UK?
Yes. Under the Gambling Act 2005, a competition with a genuine skill question, or a free entry route of equal standing, is a prize competition rather than a lottery, so no gambling licence is needed. We do both, with a skill question and a free postal route on every paid competition.
Why is there a skill question?
The skill question is what separates a lawful prize competition from a lottery. Answer it correctly and your entry qualifies; get it wrong and it does not count.
What is the free entry route?
Every competition can be entered for free by sending a postcard with your details and your answer to the skill question. A valid postal entry has exactly the same chance of winning as a paid one.
How are winners chosen?
Once a competition closes, the winning ticket is selected at random from all qualifying entries, in accordance with the laws of chance, by a verifiable, provably-fair method that runs automatically at 9pm on the closing date. Draws are published rather than streamed: anyone can recompute and check the result at /draw-check. We contact the winner directly and publish the result in our winners archive.
What happens if a competition doesn’t sell out?
It is still drawn on its closing date at 9pm and the full prize is awarded. We never cancel, postpone or shrink a draw because of low sales.
Ready to have a go?
Tickets from 9p, minimum order 25, or enter free by post. 18+.
Your ticket could be next
Every competition has published odds, a draw anyone can verify and a free postal route. 18+.