The Online Competition Standards Authority (OCSA) is an independent standards and certification body for UK online prize-draw operators. It was founded in response to the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice (2025) and provides auditing, certification and draw integrity services to the sector.

No. OCSA is an independent standards body, not a regulator. It does not have statutory powers. Certification indicates compliance with OCSA standards and alignment with the DCMS Voluntary Code, but is not a legal requirement or regulatory approval.

What is the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for prize draws?

The DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators was published by the UK Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2025. Over 100 operators have signed it. It sets out standards for player protection, transparency, draw integrity and accountability. The full implementation deadline is 20 May 2026.

Are UK online prize draws legal?

Yes. UK online prize draws are legal under the Gambling Act 2005 provided a genuine free entry route exists alongside any paid entry route. They are not regulated by the Gambling Commission. The DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice provides the primary regulatory framework.

How does OCSA certification work?

OCSA offers three certification tiers: Certified (£75/month), Silver (£275/month) and Gold (£1,275/month). Each tier requires an audit of the operator's website and processes against OCSA's standards. OCSA standards are more demanding than the DCMS Voluntary Code.

What is the OCSA draw register?

The OCSA public draw register at draws.ocsa.org.uk/register/ records all certified draws with permanent blockchain verification on the Polygon mainnet. Each draw uses Chainlink VRF (verifiable random function) to ensure results cannot be predicted or manipulated.

What is the OCSA instant win prize manifest register?

The OCSA instant win register at draws.ocsa.org.uk/iw/ publishes the SHA-256 hash of each sealed prize manifest before the competition opens. OCSA acts as independent arbiter — generating all winning ticket numbers before sales begin and holding the manifest encrypted. Neither the operator nor OCSA staff can alter winning ticket numbers after sealing.

How to Complain about an Operator - OCSA

How to Complain About an Operator

If you have entered an online prize-draw competition and something has gone wrong, this page explains what you can do and how OCSA can help.

Start with the operator

Before contacting OCSA, we recommend raising your concern directly with the operator first. Most issues - a delayed draw, an unclear prize description, a question about your entry - can be resolved quickly if you contact the operator directly.

A responsible operator will have a clear complaints process on their website. Give them a reasonable opportunity to respond, normally five to ten working days, before escalating.

Keep a record of what you sent and when.

If you are not satisfied with the operator's response

If the operator has not responded, has dismissed your concern without good reason, or if you believe they are operating in a way that does not meet expected standards, you can report the matter to OCSA.

OCSA can review concerns relating to:

misleading or inaccurate prize descriptions
free entry routes that are hard to find, unclear or not genuinely accessible
draws that were cancelled, delayed or not conducted as described
advertising that appears irresponsible or misleading
operators claiming OCSA certification they do not hold
conduct that appears inconsistent with the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice or the OCSA Code of Practice

How to contact OCSA

Send your concern to info@ocsa.org.uk with the subject line: Operator Concern.

Please include:

the name of the operator and their website address
a brief description of what happened
the dates involved
what you have already tried, including any response from the operator
any supporting information such as screenshots or correspondence

What happens next

We will acknowledge your message within five working days.

We will then review the information you have provided. Depending on the nature of the concern, we may request further information, contact the operator, or consider the matter as part of our ongoing monitoring of certification status.

We will write to you with an update within 28 days. Where a matter requires more time, or where an operator declines to engage with us, we will tell you honestly what we have found and what steps, if any, remain open to us.

What OCSA can and cannot do

OCSA is an independent standards body, not a statutory regulator. We have no legal powers to compel an operator to act, award you compensation, or resolve a dispute on your behalf. An operator can decline to engage with us, and we cannot force them to respond.

What we can do matters nonetheless:

where an operator holds OCSA certification, we can suspend or withdraw it - and we will where the evidence warrants it
where an operator is a signatory to the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice, we can report serious or persistent concerns to DCMS directly
we can place a concern on record, which may inform future certification decisions
patterns of complaints about the same operator carry weight even where individual cases cannot be resolved

We will always tell you honestly what we have been able to do and where our reach ends. If a matter falls outside what OCSA can address, we will tell you which other body is better placed to help.

Other routes available to you

Depending on the nature of your concern, you may also wish to contact:

DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) — if the operator is a signatory to the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice, concerns about Code breaches can be reported directly to DCMS at prizedrawcode@dcms.gov.uk. As a fellow Code signatory, OCSA may also report serious or persistent breaches to DCMS directly where we consider it appropriate to do so.
Advertising Standards Authority — for concerns about misleading advertising: www.asa.org.uk
Citizens Advice — for general consumer advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk or 0800 144 8848
Trading Standards — for concerns about illegal or unsafe products, through Citizens Advice
Action Fraud — if you believe a fraud has been committed: www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040