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.

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.

OCSA Compliance

Q: 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.

OCSA Compliance Statement

Published 19 May 2026

The Online Competition Standards Authority (OCSA) is an independent standards and certification body for the UK online prize-draw sector. This statement sets out our commitments to the operators we certify, the players they serve, and the regulators who oversee the sector.

Our Independence

OCSA has no commercial interest in the outcome of any competition. We do not operate prize draws, sell tickets or receive commission from operators based on revenue or ticket sales. Our income comes from certification fees, which are fixed and published, and from technology services including our independent draw verification and instant win infrastructure, which are priced transparently and applied equally across all operators.

Our Standards

OCSA certification requires operators to first meet standards aligned with the DCMS Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators and the CAP Code. Certified operators must:

state clearly that competitions are open to players aged 18 and over only
provide a genuine, equally prominent free entry route before the point of purchase
publish ticket prices, maximum ticket numbers and draw dates upfront
run draws transparently, on time and without cancellation due to low ticket sales
publish a clear and accessible complaints process
enforce a £250 per month credit card spending limit
offer players the option to set personal spending limits
allow players to request account suspension for a minimum of six months
allow players to request permanent account closure
signpost players to independent support services
publish a description of their draw mechanism
avoid advertising techniques that appeal to under-18s or replicate gambling aesthetics
describe prizes accurately, including condition, restrictions and any cash alternative
monitor player activity from account opening to identify signs of financial, psychological or social harm, and take proportionate action where concerns are identified
ensure an appropriate period elapses between a prize draw opening and its conclusion
where instant win draws are offered, ensure the free entry route is equivalent to the paid route, clearly explained, and that instant win draws do not form the majority of all competitions offered
make charitable contribution parameters clear where charitable giving is a feature of the competition

Our Audit Process

OCSA audits are conducted using our proprietary compliance framework and AI-assisted analysis tools. All findings represent OCSA's independent professional judgement. Audits assess whether protections are publicly visible to players — not merely implemented in back-end systems.

Our Register

All certified operators are listed on the OCSA Register of Certified Operators. Certification status can be verified at any time. OCSA reserves the right to suspend or revoke certification where an operator fails to maintain the required standards.

Monitoring and Complaints

OCSA monitors certified operators on an ongoing basis. Players, operators and third parties may report concerns via our
Report a Concern page. All reports are reviewed and acted upon where appropriate.

Sector Engagement

OCSA actively engages with operators across the sector to share best practice on player protections, transparency and accountability. As a DCMS Code signatory, this engagement is consistent with the collaborative obligations set out in clause 3.3 of the DCMS Voluntary Code. Operators who do not wish to receive further communications from OCSA are removed from our contact list immediately on request, in accordance with UK GDPR.

Contact

Online Competition Standards Authority Ltd Company No. 16883150 167–169 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PF info@ocsa.org.uk