+ Switching draw platforms · Guide

Switching draw platforms.

Plenty of draw operators stay on software they have outgrown because moving feels risky. It does not have to be. Here is what to check before you switch, whatever kind of draws you run.

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01 At a glance

Before you move.

Your licence: Check what your licence, permit or registration says about suppliers, and whether your regulator must be told about a change
Approved systems: Some regimes only allow registered or approved systems, such as electronic raffles in Ontario and Alberta
Lottery managers: In Great Britain, anyone managing a society lottery on its behalf must hold a Gambling Commission licence
Payments: Many card processors restrict lotteries and paid prize draws, so confirm your payment setup covers your model
Players and data: Plan how player accounts, entries, free entries and records move, and what you are required to keep
Timing: Switch between draws, never during one

02 The models

Who switches, and why.

The reasons differ by sector, but they usually come down to cost, control, scale and proof.

Competition sites on plugins

Sites built on a shop plugin can struggle with big draws, reporting and the Voluntary Code's expectation of verifiably random, auditable winner selection.

Clubs paying per ticket

Club lotto and members' draws priced on commission or per transaction cost more as a club grows, and members rarely see how winners are drawn.

Lotteries on revenue share

Society and hospice lotteries that pass a large share of every pound to a provider are looking closely at how much actually reaches the cause.

Raffles that outgrew draw day

50/50s and charity raffles that sell hardest in the final hour need systems that hold up at peak and draws everyone can trust.

+ Know before you run

A clean switch.

Check your licence, permit or registration conditions on suppliers, and tell your regulator if you need to.
Confirm your payment provider accepts your draw model before you move anything.
Export players, entries, free entries, winners, prize fulfilment and financial records, and keep what you are required to keep.
Pick a switch date between draws, and let the last draw on the old platform finish completely.
Keep your free entry route, skill question or other entry conditions working exactly as before.
Tell players what is changing and when, and show them how they can check draws from now on.

03 Questions

Common questions.

Will switching platforms affect my licence?

Your licence, permit or registration conditions decide that. Some regulators need to be told about new suppliers, and some regimes only allow approved systems, so check before you switch.

What should we export from our current platform?

Player accounts, entries including free entries, winners, prize fulfilment, complaints and financial records, plus anything your regulator requires you to keep.

When is the best time to switch?

Between draws. Let the final draw on your old platform complete, then open the next one on the new platform.

Why do draws that anyone can verify matter?

Regulators, players and members increasingly expect proof of fair selection. The UK Voluntary Code, for example, expects a verifiably random and auditable process.

Sources

General information, not legal advice. Rules change and depend on exactly how a draw is run, so take advice for your own model. Reviewed September 2026.

04 Access

Thinking of switching? Talk to us.

Tell us what you run today and when your next draw is. Every Blockdraws draw is sealed in advance and verifiable by anyone, under your own brand.

Blockdraws is white-label draw software with every draw verifiable by anyone. Available by application.

hello@blockdraws.com