Your Legal Right to Free Entry
Section 14 of the Gambling Act 2005 is one of the most valuable pieces of legislation for UK competition entrants. It requires any commercial competition that charges for entry to also provide a free entry route — and that free route must be included in the same draw as paid entries, with the same chance of winning.
This isn't a voluntary policy — it's a legal requirement. Any operator that doesn't offer free entry is technically running an illegal lottery.
How Postal Entry Works
The standard free entry method is a postal entry. The process is simple:
- Write your full name, home address, and email address on a plain piece of paper
- Include the name of the specific competition you want to enter (some operators run multiple draws simultaneously)
- Post it to the operator's address — found in their T&Cs or competition details
- Your entry is included in the draw on equal terms with paid entries
Use first-class post to ensure it arrives before the closing date. Some operators specify that entries must arrive by a certain date, not merely be postmarked by that date.
Pro Tip: Send Multiple Entries
Most competitions allow multiple free postal entries — one entry per envelope. If you send five separate envelopes, you get five entries. Check the T&Cs for any per-person limits, but many operators don't restrict this.
Other Free Entry Methods
Some operators offer free entry through alternative routes:
- App-based free entry — some apps offer daily free entries simply for opening the app (7Days Performance does this)
- Social media shares — occasionally operators run free entry competitions via shares or follows
- Loyalty schemes — some sites give free entries to regular customers
- Referral codes — referring friends may earn free entries
These additional methods are bonuses — the postal route is the legally guaranteed one.
Does Free Entry Have the Same Odds?
Yes and no. Your free entry gets the same ticket number and the same chance of being drawn as any paid ticket. The draw process doesn't distinguish between paid and free entries — they're in the same pool.
However, if there are 200,000 paid tickets in the draw and you have one free postal entry, your odds are 1 in 200,001. A paid entrant who bought 100 tickets has 100 times your chance. The free entry right is about access, not equalising odds with heavy buyers.
Which Sites Make Free Entry Easiest?
Based on our review of T&Cs and user experience:
- BOTB — free entry process is clearly explained and easy to find
- 7Days Performance — free entry via app is particularly accessible
- Omaze UK — postal entry well documented alongside clear charity information
- Click Competitions — free entry publicised alongside their other entry info
A few operators technically comply but make the process needlessly obscure. If you can't easily find the free entry instructions in a site's T&Cs, that's a minor red flag about their attitude toward entrant rights.
Watch Out For Short Windows
Some draws have very short ticket windows — a few days or even 24 hours. Postal entry in time for these is practically impossible. If speed-to-close is a pattern with an operator, it may be intentionally limiting practical use of free entry rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include a stamp? Yes — postage is at your cost. That said, the cost of a stamp is still zero entry compared to the ticket price.
What if my letter arrives late? Late entries are disqualified. Post well before the deadline.
Can I enter multiple competitions with one letter? No — each competition requires a separate entry to the correct address.
Will I be notified if I win? Yes — include your email address so the operator can contact you. Without contact details you may not be reachable.