Image: Omaze UK
Ever dreamed of winning a million-pound home for just a £10 entry? That’s the promise of Omaze, which has taken the UK by storm with luxury house giveaways, all while raising millions for charity. But before you jump in, let’s break down the numbers, the risks, and what your chances really look like.
What is Omaze?
Omaze is a compeititon website that runs prize draws for luxury homes, cars, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences while donating a portion of ticket sales to charity. Launched in the US and later expanding to the UK, Omaze offers participants the chance to win multi-million-pound properties for as little as £10. A portion (typically 17% of ticket sales) goes to a designated charity, meaning entrants contribute to good causes while taking a shot at winning a dream home. Unlike traditional lotteries, there’s no rollover jackpot, but each draw is a standalone competition with a guaranteed winner.
Is it a legitimate competition?
Yes, Omaze is a legitimate competition—winners are real, and houses have been awarded as advertised. The company is fully registered and regulated, and UK-based draws comply with UK prize competition laws rather than gambling regulations. However, it’s important to understand that Omaze is a business, and the majority of revenue goes towards running costs, marketing, and profits—not just charity donations. While the draws do result in real winners, the odds of winning are extremely low, so it should be treated as a fun gamble rather than an investment strategy.
What are the odds of winning?
In one recent Omaze house draw in 2024, £4 million1 was donated to charity, since 17% of all ticket sales go to the chosen charity, that means the total ticket sales reached a staggering £23.5 million!
To calculate the odds of winning, it’s a little bit of a calculated guess more than actual figures as Omaze doesn’t release the stats, likely because they don’t want to put people off buying, it highlights how much they earn from the competitions and lastly, because it varies on each competition as the more tickets sold the worse the odds are of actually winning.
If £10 buys 15 entries, this means the number of entries was approximately 35.25 million in this example, however, this doesn’t factor in any discounts, and Omaze offer several discounted entry routes (e.g. in basket upgrades where they offer 50% off any extra tickets purchased, various subscription offers or even a free postal entry method).
What Are Your Actual Chances? And how does this compare with other competitions?
These calculations we made are correct based on the previous £23.5M sales estimate but future draws will vary—this should be treated as a rough estimate, not a guarantee.
- If you buy one £10 entry (15 tickets), your odds are roughly 1 in 2,350,000
- If you buy £20 worth (30 tickets, assuming no discount), your odds improve to 1 in 1,175,000.
- If you were to spend £100 on tickets, that would give you 150 entries, improving your odds to 1 in 235,000—still a long shot, but significantly better than a single entry at 1 in 35.25 million.
To put it into perspective:
- Your odds of winning the UK National Lottery Jackpot are 1 in 45 million—so this is still far better.
- You’re still more likely to be dealt a royal flush in poker (1 in 649,739) than win an Omaze house.
- But you’re significantly more likely to win than to be struck by lightning in the UK (1 in 10 million to 1 in 33 million).
Is It Worth It? 💭
Let’s be honest—this isn’t a financial strategy or a way to secure a new home. Entering an Omaze draw is much like buying a lottery ticket. You’re gambling, plain and simple. The difference? A portion of your entry fee goes to a good cause, which makes it feel a bit more rewarding even if you don’t win.
But you should only enter if:
- ✔️ You can afford it and won’t miss the money.
- ✔️ You understand it’s purely for fun.
- ✔️ You like the idea of supporting a good cause.
🚫 Don’t enter if you’re looking for a guaranteed investment or a way to make money.
Why Do So Many People Enter?
It’s simple—hope and imagination. The idea of waking up in a luxury home mortgage-free is hard to resist. Plus, there’s the feel-good factor of knowing you’re supporting charities that make a difference (even if it’s just 17% of ticket sales).
Past winners have walked away with stunning homes valued at over £4 million, but for every winner, there are millions who leave empty-handed.
Want to Enter Anyway? Here’s How ✍️
If you still want to give it a go, you can enter the latest draw on Omaze’s official website. Be sure to check for bonus entry promotions or early bird offers to maximise your chances.
💡 Remember: There’s also a free entry option (requires you buying a stamp) if you read the fine print. Check the terms and conditions for more details.
TL;DR: Should You Enter?
- Do it for fun, not as an investment.
- Only enter if you can afford to lose the money.
- Understand the odds: They’re slim, but someone has to win!
- If you like supporting charities while daydreaming about a dream home, it might be worth it for you.
Have you ever entered? Have you ever won? Let us know!
