BOTB and Omaze are the two most recognisable names in the UK prize draw sector. Both are UKGC Voluntary Code signatories. Both score above 8.0 on Prize Wise. But they operate fundamentally different business models, offer entirely different prize types, and attract different audiences. Here is how they compare.
The Numbers
| BOTB | Omaze | |
|---|---|---|
| Prize Wise score | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| UKGC Code | Signatory | Signatory |
| Trustpilot | 5★ (high volume) | 4.5★ (high volume) |
| Primary prizes | Luxury vehicles, cash, holidays | Dream homes, cash |
| Broadcast presence | Channel 4 live reveals | National advertising campaigns |
| Free entry | Postal route available | Postal route available |
| Charitable model | No | Yes — properties donated, charity returns |
Business Model: Cars vs Houses
BOTB's model is pure prize draw. They purchase luxury vehicles and offer them as prizes, funded by paid entries. Winners are selected and announced live on Channel 4 — a format that provides unmatched social proof. The broadcast element means every draw result is publicly verifiable, which is a significant trust advantage.
Omaze took a different path. Their flagship format is the property prize draw: fully furnished dream homes, typically valued between £1 million and £3 million, offered alongside cash prizes. Crucially, Omaze operates a charitable model — properties are donated to charity partners, and a portion of ticket revenue funds charitable causes. This isn't altruism as marketing; it is the core business model.
Neither approach is objectively better. BOTB offers more frequent draws with a wider range of prize values. Omaze offers fewer, larger draws with a social purpose. Your preference depends on what you value.
Why BOTB Scores Higher
BOTB's 9.1 compared to Omaze's 8.2 comes down to three pillars:
- Trustpilot (30% weight): BOTB holds a 5-star rating with strong review volume. Omaze sits at 4.5 stars — still excellent, but the gap matters at 30% weighting.
- Niche depth (15% weight): BOTB runs multiple concurrent draws across vehicles, cash, and lifestyle categories, with varying ticket prices and entry points. This diversity scores well on niche depth. Omaze typically runs one or two draws at a time.
- Broadcast bonus (10% weight): BOTB's Channel 4 partnership delivers a live, verifiable draw format. Omaze runs major advertising campaigns but does not have an equivalent broadcast reveal mechanism.
On compliance (both signatories, equal) and platform maturity (both established independents, close), the two are broadly comparable.
Trustpilot: What the Reviews Say
BOTB's 5-star Trustpilot rating reflects consistently positive feedback on draw transparency, winner communication, and prize delivery. The Channel 4 format gives winners immediate, public validation — which feeds back into review sentiment.
Omaze's 4.5-star rating is still strong, but a minority of reviews raise concerns about odds transparency and the balance between charitable messaging and commercial operation. Some reviewers note that the charitable framing creates expectations about how revenue is distributed that may not match Omaze's actual financial structure.
Both operators have sufficiently high review volumes that the ratings are statistically robust. You are not looking at a handful of outlier reviews in either direction.
Free Entry
Both operators are Code signatories and offer postal free entry routes. In practice, both publish postal entry details — though the visibility varies. BOTB includes free entry instructions on individual draw pages. Omaze includes them in their terms and conditions and FAQ section.
For detailed guidance on entering any operator for free, see our Free Entry Guide.
Which Should You Choose?
There is no wrong answer, but the decision criteria are clear:
- Choose BOTB if: You want frequent draws, a range of vehicle prizes, and the transparency of live televised results. BOTB is the more frequent, more varied option.
- Choose Omaze if: You want the chance to win a dream home, prefer a charitable model, and are comfortable with less frequent but higher-value draws.
- Choose both if: The entry costs are within your budget and you want to diversify across prize types. Both are Code signatories with strong compliance records.
Both operators score in the top tier on Prize Wise. The gap between 9.1 and 8.2 is meaningful but not disqualifying — both represent credible, well-established operators with strong consumer protection records.
Full reviews: BOTB review · Omaze review · Our scoring methodology