This is an editorial guide for information only. fortunegames.com is not affiliated with, nor an agent of, BOTB (Best of the Best), Omaze, Raffle House or any other competition operator mentioned. Entry rules, prices, odds and contact methods are set by the relevant company and can change — always check the official site for the latest details.
How Does Omaze Work?
Omaze is a fundraising platform that offers luxury prizes — usually houses — in exchange for charitable donations. It launched in the US in 2012 and in the UK in 2020. Here's how a UK draw works end to end.
Entering
You make a donation in return for entries; the more you donate, the more entries you receive. Crucially, there's also a free postal entry route, which is what allows a paid draw to operate legally as a prize draw in the UK. Each entry gets a unique code logged in the draw database.
The charity guarantee
Omaze guarantees a minimum donation to the partner charity regardless of how many entries sell, and if sales exceed that, more goes to the cause. The company takes the commercial risk rather than the charity.
The draw and the prize
A certified random number generator selects the winning code. Winners are contacted by email on the announcement date and by phone. The house is given mortgage-free with stamp duty and legal fees covered, and there's usually a cash alternative (often around 80% of the property value). For the property specifics, see how Omaze house draws work.
Frequently asked questions
How does Omaze work?
You make a donation in exchange for entries into a prize draw, usually for a luxury house, supporting a partner charity.
Can I enter for free?
Yes — there's a free postal entry route, as required for UK prize draws.
What if I'd rather have cash than the house?
Omaze typically offers a cash alternative, often around 80% of the property's value.
Related guides: how Omaze house draws work, whether Omaze is legit and the Omaze 'cancelled house' question.