The UK Gambling Commission has recorded a rise in reports of suspected illegal lotteries and raffles promoted through TikTok. The regulator examined how the draws operate, why people participate and whether participants understand that some may breach UK law.
The research focused on lotteries and raffles organised by private individuals and circulating on social media. The Commission also identified similar activity on Facebook and Instagram, showing that the issue extends beyond TikTok.
Younger TikTok Users Report Higher Exposure
The research surveyed 4,233 UK residents aged 16 and over. Among TikTok users aged 18 to 24, 10% said they had participated in lotteries or raffles organised by private individuals, while 34% said they had seen such offers on the platform.
The reported participation rate was lower among older groups, at 2% for users aged 35 to 44 and less than 1% for users over 45. Across the platforms covered by the research, 5% of Facebook respondents said they had taken part in the draws, compared with 3% on TikTok and 3% on Instagram.
How Participants View the Promotions
The Commission said many users do not perceive these promotions as gambling. According to the regulator, this makes oversight more difficult and increases the importance of platforms identifying potentially illegal draws.
The findings highlight the Commission’s concern about suspected illegal lottery and raffle promotions appearing on social-media platforms, particularly among younger TikTok users.
Source: Bookmaker Ratings
Petra Vanhoof has spent the better part of a decade following the shifting tides of gambling regulation across Europe and beyond. She came up through the compliance side of the industry before pivoting to writing, which gives her a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on the rules, loopholes, and political maneuvering that shape how operators actually do business. She is particularly drawn to the gap between what regulators say and what the market ends up doing in response.