Competition law in the UK

[a]

Someone local is struggling to sell their very expensive car, so they're doing a sort of raffle for it... £10 per ticket. You have to answer a silly multiple choice question (which I understand makes it a "game of skill" and avoids them having to register as a lottery)

Terms and conditions say that if they don't raise enough money to cover the value of the car, the randomly chosen winner will get whatever money has been collected.

But... They allow free entry by post (unlimited... but only one per envelope). So I can get about 15 postal entries for the price of one ticket.

If I put in a few postal entries, is there any way to ensure that they're treated the same as "premium" entries, and not just filed in the bin? Do these things have to be regulated in any way?

[bmw320ci]

real dodge think you would have to find a registered gambling third party to run it on your behalf

[a]

bmw320ci said:

real dodge think you would have to find a registered gambling third party to run it on your behalf

I feel like there's a valuable answer in this reply if I could just decipher it

[deggles]

What an odd thing to do. It sounds like they're trying to run it as a 'free draw' to get around gambling legislation. Have a read of http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/Prize-com...

If you really want to get involved, why not just enter thousands of times by delivering the envelopes in person?

[a]

deggles said:

If you really want to get involved, why not just enter thousands of times by delivering the envelopes in person?

It says in the T&C that postal entries must have a first-class stamp.

I've googled competition law and as far as I can see, they have no right to demand that. They must provide a free means of entry (to prevent falling into the "lottery" category), but as you say, why can't I just deliver thousands of free postcards by hand?

I mean, I assume it's rigged somehow and don't want to waste the time... Which is why I'm wondering if I have a right to ask for proof that it's being conducted fairly?
Or are these things just an unregulated free-for-all?

[TooMany2cvs]

a said:

Which is why I'm wondering if I have a right to ask for proof that it's being conducted fairly?
Or are these things just an unregulated free-for-all?

It's simply down to how much you trust the person running it. If you don't, don't "enter".

If it was regulated, then the regulator will ensure it's fair.
If it's unregulated, then...

[mgv8]

It's been done before but is not often a success. To get the points in law correct is hard. To get the number of people needed. The only update is this has not been done for some time so not the competition there was.

[Derek Smith]

It sounds like an illegal lottery to me.

[HantsRat]

He simply won't pick out a postal entry. But it's there. Who's to know?

[a]

They say each entry gets an ID, which goes into a database, and then a random number generator picks the winner in front of "members of the press". The DB is not being made public, and you don't get your ID until after the closing date.

My guess is...
1) Postal entries will get no IDs (oops, your 100 entries must have all been lost in the post)
2) All IDs in the DB will point to the details of a friend/relative/associate

[xjay1337]

Derek Smith said:

It sounds like an illegal lottery to me.

I agree. All of these private lottery things are a scam.

[M1C]

Is the vehicle anything....special?

[a]

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[TooMany2cvs]

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[bmw320ci]

a said:

They say each entry gets an ID, which goes into a database, and then a random number generator picks the winner in front of "members of the press". The DB is not being made public, and you don't get your ID until after the closing date.

My guess is...
1) Postal entries will get no IDs (oops, your 100 entries must have all been lost in the post)
2) All IDs in the DB will point to the details of a friend/relative/associate

As for 1 that is simple there is a thing called signed for and proof of delivery. then if you do not win........ask for evidence as your involving the public and your address is being recorded. this would probably have to go around some terms and condition and involve the data protection act, that your details would not be used for any other means than drawing out of a hat style competition

Gloried unregulated form of a scam. Run by scammers for idiots

Just do what the rest of do when selling a car that has taken a massive loss, bend over and take it.

Have you spoken with trading standards or the gambling commission yet to report it and ask if you should invest in such a ticket, they may ask if your related or known to the guy?? Even if you had a solicitor running it would be better, but I cant see any solicitor taking this on as their fees would out weigh any potential gain from just trading it in or selling it for what it is actually worth

Edited by bmw320ci on Friday 23 June 10:28

[bmw320ci]

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