How to claim a competition prize

On luckladder, winning a draw is only the start. You still need to arrange handover with the host and confirm receipt on the site before the claim is complete. The process is straightforward. This guide walks through exactly how claiming works on luckladder.

The draw runs without you watching

When the countdown on a competition page hits zero, or every ticket sells, luckladder runs the draw automatically. You do not need to be on the page. It usually finishes within a few seconds, though it can take a couple of minutes during busy periods.

If you win, you get an email straight away. The competition page updates to show you have won, with a claim countdown, but you do not need to keep checking it. The email has what you need to get started. You can also see the status any time on your entered competitions page.

What is in your winner email

Open the winner email as soon as you can. It includes the host's contact details, a link to your claim page, and your personal eight-digit verification code. That code is only for you. Do not share it with the host or anyone else. Sharing it can result in forfeiture of the prize.

The host gets their own separate email with their side of the process. You do not swap codes with each other. Each person enters their own code on luckladder once their part of the handover is done.

Arrange handover with the host

Use the contact details in your email to arrange collection or delivery with the host. Do this as early as you can. You have 90 days from the draw to confirm receipt on luckladder. The countdown on the competition page and the deadline in your email are the same.

For physical prizes, inspect the item on delivery or at collection before you confirm anything on the site. For cars, check the V5C, MOT, and service history. For cash alternatives, wait until the money has actually cleared before you submit your claim.

Confirm receipt on luckladder

Once the prize is in your hands, open the claim link in your winner email. You can also go to the competition page and click Claim your prize!, or follow the link from your entered competitions page. Sign in with the same account you used to buy tickets.

Enter your eight-digit verification code, tick I acknowledge that I have received my prize, accept the terms, and submit. Only do this when you actually have the prize. The host cannot claim their payout until you confirm.

After you submit, you may see a short prompt to leave a review for the host. That is optional. You will get a confirmation on screen and a follow-up email once the claim is complete.

For a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, see our how to claim your prize on luckladder guide.

If the reserve was not met

Hosts can set a reserve, a minimum number of tickets that must sell before the physical prize is awarded. If the draw runs but the reserve was not met, you still win, but you are due a cash alternative equal to the gross prize pool instead of the physical item.

In that case your email explains the cash amount and directs you to claim your payout on luckladder. You will need a verified payout account so we can send the money to your bank. The flow uses the payout claim page rather than the prize claim page, but the same rules apply: follow the email, keep your verification code private, and claim before the deadline.

If something goes wrong

If you cannot reach the host, the prize does not match the description, or you think the claim will expire before you can arrange handover, contact us at info@luckladder.com. Do not leave it to the last day.

Report any message claiming to be from a winner or host that did not come through luckladder or the email address shown in your notification. Legitimate operators do not ask you to pay a fee to release a prize. If someone contacts you asking for a processing fee, it is a scam.

After your claim is complete

For valuable physical prizes, update your home insurance. For cars, sort tax and MOT. For cash, the money is yours (see do you pay tax on competition winnings in the UK). Keep your claim confirmation email. The host can then complete their payout on their side.

Ready for your next draw? Browse live competitions, or read how to enter competitions online if you have not bought tickets yet.