Thinking about entering a big prize draw but not sure whether to go for Omaze or the National Lottery? It is a common question, especially as both offer the possibility of life-changing prizes but in different ways.
With options ranging from luxury homes to multi-million pound jackpots, it can feel a bit overwhelming to figure out what sets each apart. There is also the charity side: both support good causes, but in their own way. If you have never looked into the details before, it is easy to assume they work the same, but there are key differences worth knowing.
This guide breaks everything down clearly and simply. You will find out how prize draws like Omaze actually differ from the Lottery, what types of prizes are up for grabs, how odds work, and exactly how both approaches benefit charities. Whether you are curious about where your money goes or just want to understand how these draws are organised, the sections below will help you get a clearer picture.
What Is Omaze And How Do Their Prizes Work?
Omaze is a fundraising platform that runs prize draws to support UK charities. Instead of the usual cash jackpots, most prizes are high-value items, such as fully furnished houses or brand-new cars. Sometimes there are cash prizes or unique experiences as well.
Entries are purchased directly on the Omaze website. There is no need to pick numbers or buy a ticket in a shop. The more entries you buy, the more entries you have in that draw. By law in the UK, a free postal entry route is also available, with the specific requirements explained on the Omaze site.
Omaze draws do not have fixed odds because the total number of entries is not known until the draw closes. When the deadline passes, a computer system selects the winner at random from all eligible entries.
Winners are announced online, and the process is overseen independently for fairness. House prizes typically include legal fees and may include a contribution towards running costs, which helps with the practical side of moving in.
Omaze prize draws are licensed and regulated in the UK, with procedures in place to meet legal standards. So how does that compare with a traditional lottery?
How Do Traditional Lotteries Work?
A traditional lottery in the UK is a game where you pay to pick a set of numbers, hoping they match those drawn later. The most well-known example is the National Lottery. Tickets can be bought in shops or online, and you usually choose numbers from a set range, such as six out of 59.
Draws happen at set times each week, often on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with extra games on other days. After sales close, a machine mixes balls containing all possible numbers, and results are published on the official website.
If your ticket matches the winning numbers, you win a prize. The amount depends on how many numbers you match. Jackpot prizes go to those who match every main number, while smaller matches still receive a payout, though it is less.
A portion of every ticket goes to public projects and charities, with a set percentage outlined by the operator. The rest covers prizes, running costs, and retailer commission.
Winners can claim prizes at the shop where they bought their ticket for smaller amounts, or by contacting the operator directly for larger wins and online entries. Each game sets its own rules on how to claim and how long you have to do so. With the basics in place, it is easier to compare what you might actually win.
Prize Comparison Between Omaze And Lotteries
Omaze focuses on offering prizes that are often physical assets, such as houses in the countryside, city apartments, cars, or experiences like holidays. These properties are usually fully furnished, and in some cases extra funds are included to help with maintenance or running costs. There are often smaller prizes within the same draw, from cash to tech gadgets.
By contrast, traditional lotteries typically offer monetary jackpots that can reach several million pounds, depending on the game and ticket sales for that draw. Smaller cash amounts are awarded for matching fewer numbers, and some games include extras, such as free entries for future draws.
A key difference is the form of the prize. Omaze prizes are usually one-off items of high value, such as a property, which is not easily split. With a lottery, winnings are paid in cash, giving you complete flexibility in how to use the money.
Both options include secondary prizes, but their size and structure vary. Lotteries tend to use a fixed prize ladder, while Omaze adjusts secondary rewards with each campaign. Of course, prizes are only part of the story, which brings us to the odds.
What Are The Actual Odds Of Winning In Omaze Vs National Lotteries?
The odds of winning a prize in Omaze are not fixed. They depend on how many paid and postal entries are received for each draw. Omaze does not publish these figures while the draw is live, so you only find out afterwards how many entries there were. Because participation varies from one campaign to the next, your exact chance is not known in advance.
For the National Lottery, the odds are set out in advance because every player picks from the same pool of numbers. For example, in the standard Lotto game, the chance of matching all six main numbers and claiming the jackpot is 1 in 45,057,474. Smaller prizes have different odds, and each main game publishes these details on its official site.
In both cases, outcomes are random and only a tiny proportion of entrants win the top prize. Most people will not win, so it is sensible to view entry as a paid form of entertainment rather than a way to make money.
How Much Of Your Entry Goes To Charity In Each Case?
The amount that goes to charity can differ between Omaze and the National Lottery, so it helps to know how each one works.
With Omaze, a set percentage from each paid entry is donated to the featured charity for that draw. This figure is stated on the Omaze UK website and can vary with each campaign. As of 2024, at least 17% of the entry fee from every paid entry is pledged to the chosen charity, with the rest covering costs such as prizes, marketing, and running the draws.
For the National Lottery, charitable contributions are part of the original purpose of the games. On average, around 28% of ticket sales is given to good causes across the UK. The rest is divided among prizes, retailer commission, and administration. The exact percentage can shift slightly by game but stays close to that figure overall.
While both support charities, the way funds are divided, and the percentage donated, are different. Checking the terms on the official sites gives you the most up-to-date picture. With that in mind, the choice comes down to the type of prize you prefer and how you want your entry to support good causes.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.