The Prize Competition Council (PCC) has officially launched as a trade association dedicated to the UK's prize competition sector. Announced on Wednesday, the PCC aims to unite over 50 operators to promote responsible conduct, enhance player protections, and advocate for long-term growth in the industry.
After months of collaboration across the industry, the PCC has developed a governance framework and contributed to the creation of a voluntary code of conduct aimed at improving transparency and accountability among prize draw operators. This code, published by the government in November 2022, took effect in May 2023 and addresses concerns around player safety and ethical marketing. Notably, it provides a mechanism for players to set monthly spending limits, while also allowing operators to impose their own limits.
Daniel Swann, who represents smaller operators, emphasized the significance of universally adopting this code, asserting, “It is vital that everyone embraces the Code and feels the PCC has their interests at heart.”
The inaugural board of the PCC, elected to serve a two-year term, represents a diverse array of operator sizes and business models. The members include:
– George McGregor (independent chair)
– Chris Jennings (Winvia Entertainment PLC)
– Tam Watson (Jumbo Interactive UK)
– Declan Murray (Pristine Competitions)
– Punit Shah (Seven Days Performance)
– Pete Toye (The GiveAway Guys)
– Oliver Donnelly (McKinney Competitions)
– Ian Buckley (Paragon Competitions)
– Daniel Swann (Two Fat Ladies Competitions)
Jo Bucci, a founding member and the outgoing director of the PCC, along with her role as chair of Winvia Entertainment PLC, remarked that the establishment of a strong board would help tackle the sector’s upcoming challenges. She also expressed appreciation for the support from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the council's formation.
Independent chair George McGregor noted that the council’s establishment signifies the growing maturity of the sector, highlighting that strong representation and clear standards benefit any successful industry.
As for its immediate objectives, the PCC plans to assist members in implementing the voluntary code of conduct, develop sector-wide guidance and training materials, and serve as a representative voice in discussions with government and regulatory bodies. Emphasizing inclusivity, the PCC is committed to ensuring that smaller operators receive the necessary guidance and advocacy.
In the UK, prize competitions operate within a complex regulatory framework that often differentiates them from gambling and lottery rules, depending on the competition's format and prize allocation methods. The Prize Draw Competition (PDC) market has surged recently, with a Rokker report published in April indicating it generated £1.3 billion in annual revenue and attracted approximately 7.4 million active participants.
Jamie Pinner, a senior leader at DrawHouse, a UK prize draw operator, noted, “One of the key advantages in the UK is that prize draws are not currently subject to Remote Gaming Duty. That makes them a far more efficient revenue stream than sportsbook or casino products, at least for the time being.” However, Pinner suggested that this regulatory gap might be short-lived, stating, “Over the next few years, I expect the market will move toward regulation. If that happens, major betting operators will already be in a strong position because they have the infrastructure, compliance frameworks and customer bases ready to scale quickly.”
