The Prize Competition Council (PCC) has been established as a trade association for the prize competition sector in the UK. Officially announced on Wednesday, the organization aims to unite over 50 operators to promote responsible practices, enhance player protection, and support long-term sector growth.
After months of collaboration across the industry, the PCC has set up 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, introduced by the government in November 2022, became effective in May 2023.
The code addresses significant concerns surrounding player protection and ethical marketing. It provides a framework that allows players to set monthly spending limits and permits operators to impose their own limits on users.
Daniel Swann, a representative for smaller operators, underscored the need for universal adherence to the code, stating, “It is vital that everyone embraces the Code and feels the PCC has their interests at heart.”
The inaugural board has been elected to a two-year term and represents a diverse range 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 outgoing director of the PCC and chair of Winvia Entertainment PLC, remarked that the establishment of a strong board would help tackle the challenges ahead for the sector. She also expressed gratitude for the “constructive engagement and support” from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) during the council's formation.
George McGregor, the independent chair, noted that the establishment of the council shows the sector's increasing maturity and highlights the benefits of robust representation and clear standards for any successful industry.
The PCC has outlined its immediate goals, which include assisting members in enacting the voluntary code of conduct and developing comprehensive guidance and training resources. A key objective is also to serve as a representative voice in policy discussions with government and regulatory bodies.
The organization has emphasized its dedication to inclusive representation, ensuring that smaller operators also receive essential guidance and advocacy.
In the UK, prize competitions operate in a complex regulatory landscape, often separated from gambling and lottery regulations based on the format and method of prize distribution. The Prize Draw Competition (PDC) market has seen substantial growth in recent years. A survey from Rokker published in April revealed that it generated £1.3 billion in annual revenue and engaged around 7.4 million active players.
Jamie Pinner, a senior leader at DrawHouse, highlighted a significant benefit of the UK market: “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.”
Pinner noted that this regulatory gap is likely a short-term situation. He anticipates that the market will eventually move toward regulation, suggesting that major betting operators, equipped with the necessary infrastructure, compliance frameworks, and established customer bases, will be well-positioned to scale quickly when that transition occurs.
