The one number that matters
Every operator on this page is legitimate. What separates them is how much of your money actually reaches a good cause — and the gap is large. A licensed society lottery is required to pass a minimum share to good causes. A commercial prize draw is not: it guarantees a prize and, sometimes, a fixed charity donation, then keeps the rest. Both are legal; they are simply different products with very different giving efficiency.
Read the table with one habit: check whether the “% to charity” is taken from ticket sales (gross) or from net proceeds (after costs). A percentage of net proceeds is almost always smaller than the same percentage of gross.
Comparison table
| Operator | Type | Entry price (from) | Share to charity | Guaranteed minimum | Our note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People’s Postcode Lottery | Licensed society lottery | £12/mo | ≥ ~30% of ticket sales | Regulated minimum to good causes | Highest and most reliable giving share here. Regulated by the Gambling Commission. Info only — not an affiliate link. |
| Omaze | Commercial prize draw | ~£10 | Historically cited 17% of sales; rules now lead with a cash floor | £1 million per house draw | Guaranteed £1m is real, but on a large draw it can work out at a low single-digit % of total spend. Enter for fun, not to give. |
| Raffle House | Commercial prize draw | ~£2–£5 | 10% of net proceeds | Guaranteed winner (cash alternative) | Percentage is of net proceeds, so the cash reaching charity is modest. You choose the charity. |
| Raffall | Prize-draw platform (host-run) | Varies by host | Set by each host; platform takes a fee | Varies | Not one figure — each raffle is run by an individual or group. Charity share depends entirely on the host. Verify per draw. |
| Daymade | Commercial prize draw / subscription | ~£1.50 | Publishes a “to good causes” share — verify current figure | Varies | Positions itself on giving and tree-planting; confirm the current published percentage on their site before relying on it. |
Sources: operator websites and published terms; People’s Postcode Lottery minimum-to-good-causes disclosure; Third Sector / Civil Society reporting on Omaze’s £1m guarantee; all as of July 2026. Where an operator does not publish a clear figure, we say so rather than estimate.
What “charity lottery” actually means
Strictly, a charity lottery (or society lottery) is a licensed draw where selling tickets raises money for good causes, regulated under the Gambling Act 2005 — People’s Postcode Lottery is the best-known example. A charity raffle is a smaller version of the same idea, often run at events or by a single charity. A prize draw or competition (Omaze, Raffle House) is legally different: it must offer a free entry route and is not a licensed lottery. We use the correct term for each because the label tells you how it is regulated and, roughly, how much reaches charity.
If your goal is giving, not winning
If the point is to help the charity as much as possible, a prize draw is an inefficient route — most of your money pays for the prize, marketing and profit. A direct donation with Gift Aid, or playing a licensed society lottery, puts far more in the charity’s hands. If the point is a bit of fun with a cause attached and a shot at a life-changing prize, a prize draw is fine — just enter with clear eyes about the numbers above.