Why 2026 Will Be the Defining Year for UK Prize Draw Standards

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, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its long-anticipated Voluntary Code of Conduct for online competitions. The Code set out expectations around player protection, transparency, and operator accountability, giving the industry an opportunity to self-regulate before any formal legislation is introduced.

By 2026, the first results of that initiative will start to show. Responsible operators who take the Code seriously will stand out, while those who continue with opaque or unfair practices may face increased scrutiny from both regulators and the public.

From Voluntary to Verified

The move toward verified compliance is already underway. Industry certification bodies such as the UK Competition Platform Standards Authority (UKCPSA) have stepped forward to provide independent assessment, ensuring that operators meet recognised standards for fairness and integrity.

Certification has quickly become the most practical way for businesses to demonstrate they are compliant with the Voluntary Code and ready for whatever regulation follows.

By 2026, certification is expected to become a benchmark for professionalism, not an optional extra.

The Rise of Player Awareness

Players are changing too. Public understanding of how raffle and prize draw competitions work has never been higher. People now ask questions like:

• How are winners actually chosen?

• Can I really enter for free?

• Who is regulating these companies?

Operators who ignore these questions risk losing credibility. Those who are open, transparent, and certified will earn something much more valuable than short-term sales — long-term trust.

Why 2026 Matters

The next 12 months will decide whether the industry can prove it can self-regulate effectively. If the Voluntary Code succeeds, it could become a model for responsible competition management in the digital age.

But if widespread non-compliance continues, the Government may have no choice but to introduce formal licensing, adding new costs and complexity for every operator.

In other words, 2026 will reveal which path the industry has chosen: proactive responsibility, or reactive regulation.

How the UKCPSA Is Leading That Change

The UK Competition Platform Standards Authority (UKCPSA) was established to support operators through this transition. As the UK’s only independent certification body for raffle and prize draw competition platforms, we help responsible businesses demonstrate that they operate fairly, protect player data, and comply with the principles set out in the Voluntary Code.

Certification through the UKCPSA is more than a badge, it’s a statement of integrity.

Final Thoughts

The UK raffle and prize draw competition market is entering its most important phase.

2026 will separate those who treat fairness as a box-ticking exercise from those who build it into the heart of their business.

For operators who act now, the coming year offers an opportunity to lead, to earn player trust, and to shape the future of the industry on their own terms.

For everyone else, the choice will soon be made for them.