Review #1 — UK Raffle Sites 2026
BOTB — Best of the Best
The UK's longest-running prize competition — 25 years of verified winners and dream cars every week.
Our Score
9.4/10
Entry From
From £1.25
Free Entry
Yes (postal)
Regulated
Yes — skill-based, not gambling
Score Breakdown
Our Verdict
BOTB is the gold standard. Their Spot the Ball skill-game format sidesteps gambling legislation entirely, making them fully compliant without needing a gambling licence. Their winner announcements are public, their prizes are genuine high-value vehicles (Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren), and 25 years of uninterrupted operation is impossible to fake.
How It Works
BOTB runs a 'Spot the Ball' competition. Players purchase credits and then place a marker on a photo of a football, predicting where the ball would be if it was removed from the image. The player whose marker is closest to the centre of the ball (as judged by a panel of sports experts) wins the car. This skill element means BOTB is classified as a competition, not a lottery.
Is It Legitimate?
BOTB (Best of the Best plc) is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market (ticker: BOTB). As a publicly traded company, it undergoes regular financial auditing. There is no clearer signal of legitimacy than a stock market listing.
Legal Note
UK law (Gambling Act 2005, Section 14) requires all paid competition sites to offer a free entry route — typically via post. Every site in our top 10 complies. Always check the T&Cs for the free entry process before paying.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Operating since 1999 — longest-running UK competition site
- ✓ Skill-based format means no gambling licence needed
- ✓ Dream car prizes are genuine and publicly announced
- ✓ App-based entry is slick and easy to use
- ✓ Weekly draws keep things moving
- ✓ Free postal entry available
Cons
- ✗ Ticket prices are higher than some competitors
- ✗ Skill element means pure luck isn't enough — strategy helps
- ✗ Primarily car-focused — limited prize variety
Responsible Play
Raffles and prize competitions should be fun, not a financial strategy. Set a budget you're comfortable losing entirely, and stick to it. If you feel your spending is becoming a problem, visit BeGambleAware.org or call 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7).