Paul Brown

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 person, unless...

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 draws into full...

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 of the Code is...