10 Myths About Online Competitions

Running an online competition business is fun and exciting, but we can’t lie: it’s a market overflowing with myths. These myths do more harm than good.

We’re here to clear the air, and give you a clearer insight into the world of online comps! In this article, we’ll debunk 10 online competition myths that you’ve probably heard, or perhaps even thought yourself. Let’s begin!

Myth #1: “All Online Competitions are Scams”

Fact: While scams and scammers do exist, most online competitions don’t fall under that label. The bulk of the market are run by legitimate brands.

But, we sympathise with why people think that way.

Sometimes it might feel like the prizes up for grabs are “too good to be true,” and that all online comps are, is an easy money-making scheme. It makes sense why people would think that no one really wins and hesitate to enter a comp, but the reason for it is simply not true.

In the UK, prize draws are tightly regulated, and have to be in-line with rules that ensure fairness. That’s why winners are selected randomly. Players win all the time, but it all depends on chance. Some days the odds will not be in your favour, but on another day, you might win a new BMW. It’s all part of the game. You never know when luck will strike!

Myth #2: “The Advertised Prize Isn’t What You’ll Receive”

Fact: In the UK, online competition businesses are bound by the rule that the advertised prize must be the same as the one awarded. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) make sure of that.

If the advertised prize, for whatever reason, can’t be awarded, an equivalent, in both value and nature, must be offered instead. Say you’ve won a concert ticket, but the concert got cancelled. The promoter could offer you a ticket to a different concert. That’d be considered a reasonable equivalent.

Otherwise, you can rest assured that the prize advertised will be the same as the prize to be won. Good competition companies know the rules, and they won’t take any legal risks, or risks with your payments.

Myth #3: “It’s Impossible to Win Big Prizes”

Fact: If a grand prize is advertised, it’s what the winner will receive. People do win all sorts of prizes. Smaller prizes, yes, but also high-value ones like luxury holidays, cars, or huge sums of cash. Either way, a win is a win, and it should be celebrated!

Myth #4: “Online Competitions Are The Same as Gambling”

Fact: Some online competitions are structured in a way that makes them fall outside of the ‘gambling’ bracket, at least in the UK.

In gambling, the winner is determined purely by chance. In online comps, players are required to answer a specific question, showing off their skill, knowledge, or judgement.

Another key difference?

You don’t have to pay to enter online competitions, whereas in gambling, you do. By law, prize draws have to offer a free entry route in the UK.

Myth #5: “Entering Once Is Enough to Win”

Fact: It all comes down to probability. The more consistent you are, and the more frequently you enter competitions, the higher your overall probability of scoring a win.

At the same time, while entering multiple competitions boosts your chances, it doesn’t guarantee that you win. Just because you roll the die, doesn’t mean you’ll always land on a six. The winner selection is random.

Myth #6: “Online Competitions Are Rigged”

Fact: Online competitions, such as Instant Win games, use a sophisticated Random Number Generator (RNG), meaning that the results of the competition are predetermined. This ensures fairness across the board.

Myth #7: “The Same People Always Win”

Fact: In a similar vein, because the winners are picked randomly, it can’t always be the same people who win. Well, it can be, but they’d have to be extremely lucky.

RNGs don’t discriminate. They help ensure everyone has an equal chance at winning.

Myth #8: “Last-Minute Entries Secure You a Win”

Fact: To have a chance at winning, all you need to do is enter the competition. There’s no need to wait till the eleventh hour to get your tickets.

Once you’re in the game, you have the same chance of winning as the person before you. The only way you can improve your odds is by buying more tickets.

Myth #9: “You’ll Get Spammed By the Promoter If You Enter”

Fact: The truth is, when you enter a competition, you’ll likely be signing up for a newsletter from the promoter. You can always unsubscribe from this newsletter (usually at the click of a button), but bear in mind that these emails contain information about winners and upcoming competitions, which you don’t want to miss out on!

Being subscribed to a newsletter doesn’t mean you’ll get spammed 24/7. If, however, you’re worried about your inbox getting cluttered, you might want to consider using a separate email for online competitions.

Myth #10: “You Don’t Have to Read the Terms and Conditions”

Fact: Most people skim right past the T&Cs, or don’t read them at all, but you should always read the fine print. Not only for your protection, but also to ensure your entry is valid.

You don’t want to enter a competition having missed an important hashtag, or not having followed the right account. It nullifies your entry, and you won’t be eligible to win.

Sound Comps? That’s Our Ace Up Our Sleeve

All those myths? They are just myths at Ace Competitions.

You can trust that in our corner of the online competitions world, you’ll be entering competitions that aren’t just cool, but also trustworthy.

Pretty cool, huh? Why don’t you see for yourself? Enter our epic competitions.