6G The Use of Telephony Services : Competitions
- All entries must be treated in a fair and consistent manner, regardless of the means of entry.
- All qualifying entries must have exactly the same chance of winning and the winner selection process must be designed to achieve that.
- It must be made clear to viewers when the competition closes and whether or not entries received after this time will (a) be entered and (b) be charged. Full allowance must be made for SMS latency and Red Button connection issues.
- No steps at all, including the creation of a short-list, must be taken before the stated time at which entries will no longer be accepted (unless it is clear that participants will be selected on an on-going basis, for example, in Call TV quiz services) and after the allowance of an additional time calculated to enable all entries to be aggregated and a winner chosen.
- Ample time, calculated to enable all entries to be aggregated, must be given to process all correct entries between the stated closing time and the announcement of the winner. Provision must be made for the occurrence of technical or other problems which may delay or prevent the announcement of a result.
- Viewers must not be told a programme or item is live if that is not the case.
- The names of winners announced must accurately reflect the true result. "Winners" must never be faked.
- Competitions should be conducted fairly, prizes should be described accurately and rules should be clear and appropriately made known. The competition must be run exactly in accordance with its terms and conditions.
- Cryptic or complicated solutions must not be described as simple.
- Prizes should be delivered to winners within 28 days of the competition closing date. Prizes which cannot be delivered within this time should generally not be offered.
- Prizes aimed at children must be appropriate to the age range of both the target audience and the participants. If the prize is cash, then entrants must be at least 16 years of age and this condition of entry brought to potential entrants' attention.
- References to brands within competitions must be brief and secondary.
- Legal advice should be sought to ensure the competition complies with the new provisions of the Gambling Act 2005 which came into force on 1 September 2007.
- See Chapter 4H, Editorial Independence & Commercial References within Programmes - ‘Products and Services within Programmes - Competitions'