FAQs
The questions we hear most often. Can't find what you're after? Get in touch with our team.
Do I have to be 18?
Yes. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident to enter any Deserved competition. We carry out age and identity checks, and entries from anyone under 18 are invalid and cannot win.
Is there a free entry route?
Always. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. You can enter any competition completely free by post, and free entries have the exact same chance of winning as paid entries. See the free postal entry page for full details.
How are draws fair?
Every draw uses a provably-fair process, which means the outcome is generated in a way that anyone can independently verify after the fact. We publish the winning ticket numbers, the entry lists, and the verification data for each draw on our transparency page, no result is ever published that we can't prove.
How and when do I get paid?
Winnings are credited to your Deserved account wallet, usually within the hour of a draw completing. You can then request a withdrawal to your chosen payment method at any time, subject to standard identity and security checks.
What's an instant win?
Some competitions include instant-win prizes hidden among the ticket numbers. If you land an instant-win ticket, the prize is credited to your wallet immediately, you don't have to wait for the main draw at close. Any remaining tickets still go forward into the main draw.
What is the skill question for?
Each competition includes a multiple-choice question as an element of skill. Your answer must be correct for your entry to be valid — this rule applies equally to paid and free postal entries. Our competitions are lawful under the Gambling Act 2005 because a genuine free entry route is always available (no purchase ever necessary), not because of the skill question.
Can I withdraw anytime?
Yes. Funds in your wallet are yours. You can request a withdrawal whenever you like from your account. For your security and to meet our legal obligations, withdrawals may require identity verification and can take a short time to process.
Is this gambling or a lottery?
No. Deserved runs prize competitions on a free-draw basis, which is lawful under the Gambling Act 2005 and is not a lottery and not gambling. The reason is simple: a genuine free entry route is always available. You can enter any competition completely free by post, with no purchase ever necessary, and free entries have exactly the same chance of winning as paid entries. Because entering never requires payment, our competitions fall outside the legal definition of a lottery. Each entry also includes a multiple-choice question, and you must be 18 or over and a UK resident to take part.
What competitions and prizes can I win?
Our competitions cover cash prizes, instant-win cash and site credit, and lifestyle and tech bundles. Each live competition page shows the exact prize, the ticket price, how many tickets remain, and the closing date, so you always know what you are entering for before you take part.
Is there really no catch with free entry?
No catch. The free postal route has the exact same chance of winning as a paid entry, with no purchase ever necessary. We do not reweight the draw and we do not treat free entries differently from paid ones. Full step-by-step instructions are on the free postal entry page.