Every draw below can be entered without spending a penny — no ticket purchase at all. Most paid UK competitions also accept a free postal entry with exactly the same odds as a paid ticket, because the law requires either a real skill element or a free entry route. See our FAQ for more on how UK competition law works.
As of 4 November 2026, we're tracking 41 free-entry UK competitions from 26 operators, all enterable without buying a ticket.
Why do UK competitions 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. Every competition listed here costs nothing to enter — no ticket purchase at all. Separately, under the Gambling Act 2005 a paid UK prize competition must either involve genuine skill or offer a free entry route on equivalent terms, which is what keeps it from being an unlicensed lottery. Most operators offer a free postal route for that reason.
How can I tell a genuine free competition?
Every draw on this page is run by a UK prize competition operator we track — the same operators whose paid draws we rank — so the prize is real and the draw actually happens. Anywhere else, look for a named operator with terms that state the prize, closing date and how the winner is picked; a stated closing date and draw method; and no request for card details to enter or to receive a prize.
Do I need a subscription or to register?
No subscription is needed for any draw listed here, and entry costs nothing. Most operators do ask you to create a free account on their own site so they can contact you if you win — that is normal, and it is the operator's account, not ours. You never need to register with Competition Showroom to find or enter a draw.
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.