Free Entry Prize Competitions: How to Enter Without Paying

Free entry isn't a favour, it's a legal requirement for UK prize draws. If you'd rather not pay, there's a postal route, and all it takes is a postcard, a stamp and a bit of care. This page covers what the route is, why it exists and how to use ours step by step. It's also the page the rest of our guides point back to, so give it a proper read.

One thing up front: entering guarantees nothing, and winning is not easy. Every entry, free or paid, has the same chance as any other. That's the whole point of the route.

What a free entry route is

A free entry route lets you take part in a competition without buying a ticket. On our site it works by post. You register an account online, then send a handwritten postcard to the Competition Manager. Once it's received and matched to your account, it's treated the same as an entry made through the paid route.

Our rules say postal entries are handled in the same way as paid ones, and you have an equal chance of winning as those who enter online. No second-class treatment, no separate pile.

Why UK competitions offer one

In plain terms, a prize competition that charges for entry is expected to give people a genuine way in without paying. That's why you'll see a free route on legitimate sites. If a competition has no free route at all, treat that as a red flag. Our guide on how to spot a fair instant win competition covers the other signs to look for. For the bigger picture on how these games work, see instant wins explained.

How to enter ours for free

The official wording lives in our terms and conditions (Schedule 1), and that document is the one that counts. Here's the plain-English version.

1. Check you're 18 or over. You must be 18+ on the date you post your postcard.
2. Register on our website. You'll need your full name, date of birth, full postal address, email address and telephone number.
3. Pick a competition. Browse the live competitions and note the exact name of the one you want, plus its Closing Date and the maximum number of entries per person shown on the Competition Page.
4. Write your postcard. One unenclosed postcard per entry (so no envelope). Put the name of the competition, plus your full name, date of birth, full postal address, email address and telephone number. Handwrite everything, clearly.
5. Address it to the Competition Manager. The address is in every prize page for free entry information
6. Post it by first-class or second-class post. Ordinary post is fine. Make sure it reaches us before the Closing Date, because late arrivals are disqualified automatically.
7. Look out for the confirmation. If you gave an email address, you'll get a message confirming receipt, saying you've been entered, and giving your Entry Number.

Timing matters. Every competition has tickets reserved for at least four working days from the day it goes live, to give postal entries time to arrive. That's a minimum, not a guide to when you should post, so don't leave it to the last minute (the post has a habit of being late when you can least afford it). We accept no responsibility for postcards that are lost, damaged or delayed, and proof of posting doesn't count as proof of receipt.

Common mistakes that void a free entry

Not exciting, but this is where entries go wrong.

• Not being registered. You must have an account on our website by the time we receive each postal entry. No account, no entry.
• Details that don't match. The name and address on the postcard must match the account. If we can't identify the account holder, the postcard is rejected.
• Illegible writing. Everything must be clearly handwritten. If we can't read it, we can deem it invalid at our absolute discretion.
• Arriving late. Received after the Closing Date means disqualified.
• Putting it in an envelope. The postcard must be unenclosed.
• More than one entry on a postcard. It's one entry per postcard, and you can't go over the maximum per entrant for that competition.
• Entering for someone else, or jointly. Entries on behalf of another person aren't accepted, and joint submissions aren't allowed.
• Using multiple names or addresses. If we believe one person is doing this, all associated entries are voided.
• Being under 18 on the date of posting.

FAQs

Does a free entry have the same chance as a paid one? Yes. Our rules state that postal entries are treated in the same way as paid entries, with an equal chance of winning. Equal, mind, not good, so enter for fun and only if you're happy to.

Can I use second-class post? Yes. Ordinary first-class or second-class post is allowed. Just make sure it arrives before the Closing Date.

Do I need an account to enter by post? Yes. You must be registered on our website, and your postcard details must match your account.

Will I know my postcard arrived? If you gave an email address, you'll receive a confirmation of receipt with your Entry Number.

Can I send several entries in one postcard? No. It's one entry per postcard, up to the maximum per entrant shown on the Competition Page.

Where can I see who has won? Our winners page lists past results.

Before you enter

Entry is for over-18s only. Please play responsibly, and only take part if it's something you're comfortable with. The full free entry rules are in our terms and conditions, and if anything here differs from them, the T&Cs win.