Some sites ask a question and call it a “prize competition”. Whether that is lawful depends on how hard the question really is.
The test
The Gambling Commission’s leaflet says a competition falls outside the lottery rules only if genuine skill, knowledge or judgement is required. The level of difficulty must be high enough that a significant number of people are prevented from entering, or a significant number of entrants are prevented from winning.
The example
The leaflet’s example: guessing the colour of Rudolf’s nose would not qualify. Law firm Irwin Mitchell says superficial or token questions are unlikely to be sufficient. (Irwin Mitchell: prize competitions and prize draws.)
Why it matters to you
If the question is easy, the promotion may be a lottery in disguise. Ask whether a real free route also exists. Hoardsy doesn’t rely on a skill question: every competition has a free postal entry. See prize draw, prize competition or lottery?
Sources: the Gambling Commission’s guidance Prize competitions and free draws: the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005 (December 2009, copy hosted by Torfaen Council) and its quick guide, Running prize competitions and free draws (March 2018). The Commission says to seek legal advice if you are unsure about a competition.
How Hoardsy runs its competitions
- Closing dates are never extended for slow sales.
- There’s no minimum number of sales: every end-draw prize and top instant prize is awarded, sold out or not.
- Every competition page shows its prizes and your chance per ticket before you enter.
- Every competition can be entered free by post, with the same chances as a paid ticket. See free postal entry.
Keep reading
- All Hoardsy guides
- Are online prize draws legit?
- What the ASA has ruled on UK competition sites
- How to spot a risky competition site
Last checked 12 October 2026.
Hoardsy
See the competitions
Choose a draw or an instant game. Every prize and its chance is on the page before you enter.
18+, Great Britain only. Free postal entry on every competition.
