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.
Do you have to pay to claim a competition prize?
No. A genuine operator never asks you to pay a fee, a tax or a “release charge” to hand over a prize you have won. Any demand for an up-front payment before you can claim winnings is a hallmark of an advance-fee scam — so if you are asked to pay to receive a prize, stop and treat it as fraud.
Legitimate prizes are free to claim
When you win a real competition, the operator arranges delivery or transfer of the prize at no cost to you. There is no admin fee to unlock it, no customs or processing charge to pay first, and no “tax” to settle before it is released — UK competition and lottery winnings are tax-free anyway. The only thing a legitimate operator may ask for is proof of identity to confirm you are the genuine winner.
How the advance-fee scam works
A common con tells you that you have won a prize — often one you never entered — then says you must pay a small fee to release it, or share bank details “to transfer the winnings”. The fee is the scam: pay it and they vanish, or come back asking for more. Pressure, urgency, poor spelling, and contact out of the blue are all warning signs.
What to do if you are asked to pay
Do not pay, and do not share banking passwords, card numbers or one-time codes. Contact the company directly using details from its official website, not the message you received, to check whether the win is real. Report scams to Action Fraud, and if you have already paid, tell your bank straight away — a quick chargeback or fraud report can sometimes recover the money.
Frequently asked questions
Is a delivery or admin fee ever normal?
Be very wary. Genuine operators cover delivery or transfer of a prize. A request for an up-front fee to release winnings is a classic advance-fee scam.
Do I owe tax that has to be paid before I get the prize?
No. UK competition and lottery winnings are tax-free, and no legitimate operator collects “tax” from you before releasing a prize. Treat such a demand as fraud.
They are asking for my bank details — is that safe?
An operator may need basic payment details to send cash winnings, but never your online banking password, full card PIN or one-time security codes. Never share those.
How do I report a prize scam?
Report it to Action Fraud, and contact your bank immediately if you have paid anything. Verify any “win” using the company’s official contact details, not the message sent to you.
Related guides: How to spot a lottery scam · Are prize competitions a scam? · Tax on competition winnings
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).