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ZEAL Network's £33.8m acquisition of SevenCanyon shows how serious players compete on trust. Here's why independent certification and audit matter more as the market matures.

Two prize draw operators quietly withdrew from the DCMS voluntary code this year. Here's why independent certification and verifiable winner selection matter more than a signature.

Earlier this year, two UK prize draw operators — Easy Living Competitions and Sweepstarz — quietly removed their signatures from the Government's Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators. No penalty. No public inquiry. Just a withdrawal, and the code carried on without them. It's a small story that raises a big question for a sector now worth over £1.3 billion a year and growing: what does "compliance" actually mean when an operator can opt in — and opt back o

The clock is ticking. Signatories to the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators have until 20 May 2026 to be fully compliant — and one requirement is catching many operators off guard. What the Code Actually Says About Draw Selection The Code is explicit. Under clause 2.2: " Prizes are to be awarded fairly in accordance with the rules and terms displayed to players. This should be by an independent person, or under the supervision of an independent pers

In late 2025, the UK Government published the long-anticipated Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators , setting out a comprehensive set of standards that many in the industry have been preparing for over the past year. While this Code is not law, it marks a significant step forward for responsible practice in the prize draw sector , designed to raise standards around consumer protections, transparency and accountability — without immediately moving prize dra

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is introducing a Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draws , setting out new standards designed to raise transparency, fairness and consumer protection across the free-entry prize draw sector. Although the Code is voluntary, the Government has made it clear that if the sector does not adequately address key concerns, formal regulation may follow . Expected Key Dates Publication of the Final Code The final version

As conversations around fairness and transparency in the raffle and prize draw competition sector continue to grow, it’s important to understand that not all certification is the same . At the UK Competition Platform Standards Authority (UKCPSA), our focus goes far beyond verifying software . Our certification framework assesses the entire operation of a competition business, from draw integrity and player data protection to marketing practices and winner verification. Here’s

The UK raffle and prize draw competition industry has grown rapidly over the last few years, with hundreds of new operators entering the market. What started as small community-style giveaways has become a nationwide sector worth well over £100 million a year . But with growth comes scrutiny. And 2026 is shaping up to be the year when the industry’s future will be defined by standards, transparency, and trust. A Sector Under the Spotlight In 2025, the Department for Culture,

Raffle and prize draw competitions are more popular than ever in the UK, offering players the excitement of winning everything from cash to cars and even homes. But as the industry grows, players are becoming more aware and more selective. They want to know that the competitions they enter are fair, transparent, and trustworthy. If you operate a competition business, understanding these questions and having strong, honest answers is one of the best ways to build confidence, a

Why it matters for online competitions and prize draws What is Google’s Random Number Generator? If you have ever needed to pick a number at random, Google has a free tool that can do it instantly right in your search results.Type random number generator into Google, set your minimum and maximum values, and click Generate .A number appears on the screen within seconds, with no downloads or apps needed. It is quick, simple, and ideal for light use, but it helps to understand

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has released a draft Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators, setting out new standards aimed at improving fairness, transparency, and player protection across the UK prize draw industry. The Code applies to draws that offer both paid and free entry routes — often known as “free draws” — and is designed to raise standards and promote responsible conduct in a sector now worth an estimated £1.3 billion annually