Editorial note: this guide is general information about how competitions, lotteries and gambling work in the UK. It is not advice, and it does not describe any specific promotion offered by Fortune Games. Rules, prices and regulations can change, so always check the operator’s current terms.
Can you get a refund on competition tickets?
Usually not. Once you have entered a draw, competition entries are normally final, and they generally fall outside the standard 14-day online cancellation right. You do, however, have rights if the operator cancels the competition, and newer rules give extra protection around subscriptions.
Why entries are usually final
When you buy a competition entry, the “service” — placing you in the draw — begins straight away, and competition and gambling-style entries are generally excluded from the 14-day cooling-off period that applies to many online purchases. In practice this means a change of heart after entering does not normally entitle you to your money back. Always read the terms before you pay, as they set out the operator’s refund position.
When you can get money back
If an operator cancels a competition — for example, because too few tickets sell — reputable sites refund entries or run the draw on a reduced prize or cash alternative, and you are entitled to be treated fairly. If a draw never actually happens, you should expect your money back. Where a term looks one-sided or unfair, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 can make it unenforceable, and you can report it to the CMA or Trading Standards.
Subscriptions and your card
If you signed up to a recurring subscription, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 gives added cancellation protections, including a cooling-off right after a subscription renews. You can also cancel future payments through your provider. If an operator refuses a refund you are clearly owed, your debit card chargeback scheme — or Section 75 if you paid the relevant way by credit card — may help you recover the money.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a cooling-off period on competition entries?
Generally no. Entries are treated as a service that starts immediately and sit outside the usual 14-day online cancellation right, so a change of mind does not normally mean a refund.
What if the competition is cancelled?
You should be treated fairly — typically a refund, a reduced-prize draw or a cash alternative. If a draw never takes place, you should expect your money returned.
Can I cancel a competition subscription?
Yes. You can stop future payments, and the DMCC Act 2024 adds protections such as a cooling-off right after a subscription renews. Check the operator’s cancellation process.
Can my bank help me get a refund?
Possibly. A debit card chargeback, or Section 75 for qualifying credit card purchases, can help recover money if an operator wrongly refuses a refund you are owed.
Related guides: What is a lottery subscription? · Are prize competitions a scam? · Are prize competitions legal in the UK?
18+ only. Gambling should be fun, never a way to make money. Please play responsibly and only with money you can afford to lose. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free, confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, run by GamCare. You can also visit BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) or self-exclude from UK-licensed online operators through GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk).