Free entry competitions in the UK,
updated hourly

Why are UK competitions legally required to have free entry?

The Gambling Act 2005 draws a clear line between a legal prize competition and an illegal lottery. A lottery is defined (in part) as a scheme where participants pay for a chance to win a prize with no skill element. To avoid being classified as a lottery — which would require a gambling licence — UK prize competition operators must either:

• Require a genuine element of skill (e.g. answering a question correctly), or
• Provide a free entry route on equivalent terms to the paid route

Most UK operators use the free postal entry route. This means you can write your entry on a plain piece of paper, post it to the operator, and it will be entered into the draw with exactly the same chance of winning as a paid ticket. Operators are not allowed to disadvantage free entries.

The competitions above are operators where we have confirmed that free entry is available. Always check the individual operator's terms and conditions for the specific postal address and any entry requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Are free entry UK competitions real?

Yes. The free entry requirement is enshrined in law, not left to operator discretion. An operator who refuses or penalises free postal entries risks operating an illegal lottery. Every competition tracked by Competition Showroom operates within UK prize competition law.

Do free postal entries actually win?

Yes. UK prize competition operators are legally required to treat free entries identically to paid ones. The winner is drawn from all valid entries, regardless of how they were submitted. There are well-documented cases of postal entry winners across the industry.

How do I enter a UK competition by post for free?

The process varies by operator but typically involves writing your name, address, and sometimes a competition answer on a plain piece of paper and posting it to the operator's postal entry address, which is stated in their terms and conditions. Check the specific operator's T&Cs for their exact requirements and address.