Online Comping UK

Win big prizes for pennies by using the free postal entry loophole—beat the odds and enter high-value competitions without paying ticket prices.

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Written by My Side Gig team

What Is Online Comping?

What if we told you there’s a way to enter competitions for big prizes—without paying the high entry fees? That’s exactly what the free postal route offers. And yes, it’s completely legal.

How Does It Work?

Many competition websites run what’s legally classified as a lottery—and UK gambling law requires them to offer a free entry route, usually by post.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Find a competition you like (cash prizes, tech, holidays—you name it).

  2. Write your entry details on a postcard or envelope. This usually includes:

    • Full name

    • Address

    • Contact details

    • Correct answer to any skill-based question (some comps have these – they may only appear once you add the ticket to basket or log in).

  3. Send it off with a Second Class stamp—costing you around £1 all in.

That’s it. You’ve just entered a competition that others might pay £1000s for—for the price of a stamp.

What Comps Should You Go For? 🎯

To maximise your chances, focus on:

✅ Low ticket numbers – the fewer tickets sold, the better your odds
✅ High-value prizes – £1 for a shot at £1,000+? Yes please
✅ Expensive paid entry prices – comps charging £20+ per ticket give you great value from the free entry route

💡 Example: One of our team recently sent a free entry for a £1,000 cash prize draw. Tickets were £20 each—and only 75 tickets were sold. That’s a 1 in 75 chance for roughly £1 in postage. (See photo!)

Top Tips for Success 📝

  • ✅ Always include every detail they ask for

  • ✅ Double-check for entry questions – these can be easy to miss until checkout

  • ✅ Post in good time – don’t risk missing the deadline

  • ✅ Stick with trustworthy competition providers – legally they must accept postal entries, but it’s best to focus on those who’ve regularly honoured yours

Final Word

You won’t win every time—but just like matched betting or bank switching, this is a numbers game. And the odds? Far better than your typical lottery, especially when you target the right competitions.

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FAQ’s

  • No, matched betting is based on maths, not sports knowledge. As long as you follow the steps correctly, you can profit.

    Want to master matched betting? Check out our Matched Betting Course here for step-by-step guidance on making consistent profits.

  • A small bankroll of £50-£100 is enough to get started. This allows you to place qualifying bets and access free bet offers. The more money you have, the more offers you can do at once.

  • Yes! Many bookmakers and exchanges have mobile-friendly sites and apps, making it easy to place bets on the go.

  • Most bookmakers and betting exchanges allow withdrawals via PayPal, bank transfer, or other payment methods.

  • Bookmakers can limit or restrict accounts if they detect consistent matched betting. Spreading activity across multiple sites helps reduce this risk.

    Here’s our guide on how to stop your betting accounts getting banned.

  • Matched betting works best in the UK due to the number of bookmaker promotions. Some countries have similar offers, but availability varies.

  • Once you’ve completed the sign-up bonuses, you can move on to reload offers, which bookmakers provide to existing customers. Another option is value betting, where you place bets that have a positive expected value over time.

    Learn more about value betting here.

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