There are now dozens of UK prize competition sites, and from the outside they can look much the same: big prizes, low ticket prices, bold adverts. Underneath, they vary a lot. This guide gives you a simple way to compare any site — including us — so you can decide where your money is best spent.
The six things that matter most
1. Transparency: can you check the draw?
Ask two questions: can I watch the draw? and can I see every entry afterwards? A site that draws live and publishes the complete entry list gives you proof rather than promises. At Nitrous, main draws are live on draw night and every entry list is on the results page.
2. Value: price against the ticket cap
The ticket price only tells half the story. The maximum number of tickets tells you the most entries the draw can ever have. A slightly dearer ticket in a small, capped competition can give you a far better chance than a cheap ticket in a huge one. Our cheap tickets guide shows the maths.
3. A free route that’s easy to use
Every reputable site offers free postal entry with the same chance as a paid entry. Check that the instructions are clear and easy to find. See our free postal entry guide.
4. How prizes are handed over
Read how winners are paid. At Nitrous, main competition winners are contacted directly and the prize is handed over directly — a bank transfer for cash, or arranged delivery or collection for a car or bike.
5. A long, real track record
Look for a results page with a long, dated list of winners and ticket numbers, and for independent reviews built up over years. A company you can look up at Companies House, with a history, is a good sign.
6. Responsible play
A good operator is strictly 18+, checks identity before handing over prizes and gives you tools to take a break if you need one.
Compare any site in two minutes
| Question | Strong answer | Weak answer |
|---|---|---|
| Can I watch the draw? | Yes, live on draw night | Winner just announced |
| Can I see every entry? | Full entry list published | Not published |
| How many tickets max? | Clear cap on every competition | Unclear or very large |
| Free postal route? | Clear instructions, equal chance | Hard to find |
| How are prizes paid? | Clear process, handed over directly | Vague |
| Who runs it? | Registered company, named people | No details |
| Track record? | Years of dated winners and reviews | Brand new, few results |
Prize type matters too
Different sites specialise in different things. If you’re a petrolhead, look for a site with a strong range of car competitions and bike prizes — our guide on win a car competitions explains what to look for. If you prefer cash, read our cash competitions guide. If you like fast results, compare instant win competitions.
Why people choose Nitrous
- Winners picked live on draw night — watch on our live page.
- Every entry list published on the results page.
- A free postal route on every competition.
- A registered UK company since 2018 (No. 11316541) whose owners also run the 2025 British Superbike champion team.
- A big range of cars, bikes, tech, cash and instant win prizes.
Want the detail on any of these? Our legitimacy checklist walks through each one.
Compare us for yourself. Browse the live competitions, watch a live draw or check past winners and entry lists. 18+ UK only. Please play responsibly — see our responsible play page.