What OCSA Certification Confirms
OCSA certification confirms that an operator has completed a defined process of disclosure, documentation, and independent review aligned to the DCMS transition period. It does not certify legality, regulatory compliance, or provide approval of any prize promotion. Responsibility for compliance with the DCMS Voluntary Code remains with the operator at all times.

OCSA Certification Levels

OCSA Certification is awarded to operators who meet defined standards of fairness, transparency, prize integrity, and responsible advertising within the online prize-draw sector.

OCSA offers three progressive certification tiers designed to recognise increasing levels of alignment, transparency, and operational excellence.

All OCSA certification levels operate alongside the UK Government’s Voluntary Code of Practice for Prize Promotions.
Alignment with the Government Voluntary Code is a prerequisite for achieving any OCSA certification level.

OCSA standards build upon this guidance by providing additional structure, clarity, and safeguards within a voluntary certification framework.

Certification is progressive, allowing operators to demonstrate advancement through the OCSA standards framework.

Below are the three official OCSA certification levels.

Transitional Compliance Note (DCMS Voluntary Code)

The DCMS Voluntary Code of Practice for Prize Promotions is expected to be fully implemented by 20 May 2026.

Until that date, OCSA certification may be granted to operators who are actively working toward alignment with the DCMS Voluntary Code, provided that:

  • meaningful progress is demonstrated, and

  • no practices are identified that present a serious risk to fairness, transparency, or consumer confidence.

All operators seeking OCSA certification are expected to achieve full alignment with the DCMS Voluntary Code by 20 May 2026.
Failure to do so may result in suspension or withdrawal of OCSA certification status.

Good-Faith Implementation Clarification

Those operators already signed up to the DCMS Voluntary Code have made a firm public commitment to implement its measures.
Good-faith participation is therefore not limited to the final implementation date.

From the point of signature, operators are expected to be actively reviewing their practices, identifying gaps, and taking reasonable steps to address areas of misalignment with the code. The implementation period is intended to allow structured change — not to defer consideration or maintain practices that are known to conflict with the principles of the Code.

OCSA’s transitional approach recognises that implementation takes time, but it also recognises that inaction following signature is inconsistent with the commitments to the DCMS code that operators have already made.

What “Good Faith” Really Means in Practice

For the avoidance of doubt, OCSA understands “good-faith implementation” to mean much more than the intention to act at a later date.

In practical terms, good faith means that, from the point an operator signs the DCMS Voluntary Code, they are:

  • actively reviewing existing practices against the Code

  • identifying where current terms, limits, entry routes, or competition mechanics may not align with the Code’s principles

  • taking reasonable steps to reduce known risks to fairness, transparency, or consumer confidence

  • refusing the introduction of new practices that would clearly conflict with the spirit or letter of the Code

  • documenting decisions and the reasons for them, particularly where changes cannot be made immediately

Good faith does not require instant perfection, nor does it require that all changes are completed immediately.
However, it does require that known issues are not ignored, deferred without reason, or treated as acceptable simply because enforcement has not yet occurred.

The implementation period exists to allow structured change, not to postpone consideration or maintain practices that an operator already understands may be problematic.

Level 1 — OCSA Certified

This is the foundation level of certification.

It confirms that an operator meets essential OCSA standards in addition to the principles set out in the DCMS Voluntary Code.

Certified operators must demonstrate:

  • clear and accurate prize descriptions

  • honest and non-misleading advertising

  • transparent ticket pricing and odds

  • correct management of free-entry routes

  • responsible handling of payments

  • clear and accessible terms and conditions

  • transparent draw mechanisms

  • baseline anti-fraud and integrity safeguards

Who this level is for:
All operators entering the OCSA certification framework.

Badge entitlement:
OCSA Certified

This badge confirms that the operator has met OCSA’s foundational certification criteria.

Level 2 — OCSA Silver

Silver certification recognises operators that go beyond baseline alignment and demonstrate higher operational and transparency standards.

Additional expectations include:

  • verified prize ownership and documentation

  • full disclosure of vehicle condition, MOT status, faults, and mileage (where applicable)

  • publication of draw records and outcomes

  • strengthened anti-fraud and integrity controls

  • comprehensive complaint-handling processes

  • enhanced participant-protection measures

  • evidence of fair, non-manipulative marketing

  • transparent handling of skill-based and chance-based mechanics

  • proactive customer support

Who this level is for:
Operators committed to demonstrably higher and more consistent standards.

Badge entitlement:
OCSA Certified
OCSA Silver

This badge confirms that the operator has met OCSA’s enhanced certification criteria.

Level 3 — OCSA Gold

Gold certification is awarded to operators that demonstrate exceptional transparency, operational maturity, and consumer confidence across all areas of activity.

Gold-level expectations include:

  • comprehensive operational review and transparency assessment

  • documented verification of prize draws

  • periodic certification review

  • a demonstrated history of compliant operation

  • high-quality customer service performance

  • no misleading, manipulative, or youth-orientated advertising

  • full disclosure of prize verification and documentation

  • the highest levels of operational clarity and accountability

Who this level is for:
Operators seeking recognition as leaders in responsible prize-draw practice.

Badge entitlement:
OCSA Certified
OCSA Silver
OCSA Gold

Gold-certified operators represent the highest level of confidence within the OCSA framework.

Maintaining Your Certification

Certified operators must:

  • maintain alignment with OCSA standards

  • continue to operate in line with the principles of the DCMS Voluntary Code of Practice for Prize Promotions

  • engage constructively with certification reviews

  • notify OCSA of significant operational changes

  • renew certification annually

Certification may be suspended or withdrawn where standards are no longer met.

Certification Badges

Certified operators may display the official OCSA certification badge(s) corresponding to their current level:

  • Certified badge (baseline)

  • Silver badge (Certified + Silver)

  • Gold badge (Certified + Silver + Gold)

Badges may only be displayed while certification remains active and in good standing.

Apply for Certification

Interested in becoming OCSA certified?

Find Out How