If you’ve seen online competitions offering prizes such as cars or cash, you may have come across BOTB. It’s understandable to question whether entering these competitions is just a way to take part in a game of skill or if it might be considered a form of gambling under UK legislation.
Knowing how competitions like this operate, how they are treated under current regulations, and what financial considerations may be involved can potentially help support informed decision-making.
What Is BOTB?
BOTB, short for Best of the Best, is a UK-based company that runs online prize competitions. These competitions often feature cars as prizes, although other items may also be available. The business has operated since 1999.
To enter, you buy a ticket for the specific prize draw you’re interested in. Ticket prices generally range from £1.50 to £20, depending on the prize on offer. After purchasing a ticket, participants are asked to complete a task known as “Spot the Ball”. This involves looking at an image from a football match where the ball has been digitally removed and marking the spot where you think the centre of the ball was.
A panel of judges with relevant professional backgrounds reviews each entry. They work together to decide on a winning location. The winner is the person whose entry is judged to be closest to that spot. BOTB competitions are available to UK residents aged 18 and over.
The outcome is not determined at random. The judging process introduces an element of skill, as the result is based on how closely a participant’s entry matches the judges’ final decision.
Is BOTB Gambling?
In the case of BOTB, you pay to enter a competition that involves completing a task assessed by a panel of judges. The task is designed to require skill, as it involves analysing an image and making a reasoned decision about a specific point within it.
Competitions that rely primarily on skill are treated differently from those based on chance under UK legislation. BOTB is considered a skill-based competition and is not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) under betting or gaming laws. It operates under the legal framework that applies to skill competitions.
If you’re looking into whether a site is operating in line with regulations, you may find it helpful to read the terms and conditions and any published information about how the competition is run. BOTB provides details about its judging process and how winners are identified.
How Likely Is It To Win BOTB?
The chances of winning in BOTB depend on how many entries are received in each competition and how closely your guess matches the judges’ chosen position in the “Spot the Ball” game.
Some competitions receive tens of thousands of entries. While buying more tickets increases the number of entries linked to you, it does not affect the precision of your guess.
The prize goes to the entry closest to the position agreed upon by the judges. This same position is used to judge all entries, and because several people may make similar or very close guesses, the competition can be quite close.
BOTB does not disclose the total number of entries for each draw, so the exact odds are not publicly available. Typically, one main prize is awarded, with additional smaller prizes sometimes given to runners-up.
Do You Have To Pay Tax on BOTB Winnings?
If you live in the UK, winnings from prize competitions like BOTB are not subject to income tax. Prizes such as cars, cash, or other items are generally not treated as taxable income by HM Revenue & Customs.
However, if you decide to sell a prize like a car and make a profit, this may be liable for Capital Gains Tax. For the 2023/24 tax year, the annual tax-free allowance for gains is £6,000. If your profit exceeds this amount, you may need to pay tax on the gain.
Costs associated with owning a prize, such as insurance, maintenance, or vehicle tax, are not included with the prize and are your responsibility. These expenses cannot be deducted for tax purposes.
You do not need to inform HMRC about the prize unless you carry out a transaction, such as selling the asset, that results in a taxable gain above the annual allowance.
Is BOTB Worth It?
Deciding whether to take part in BOTB depends on your own personal preferences.
It is important to understand that each entry requires payment, with prices varying depending on the prize on offer. The number of participants can influence how challenging it is to win.
While skill plays a role, the final judged position is set by a panel and does not represent an objectively correct answer. Many entries can be very close to one another.
People take part for different reasons, some entering occasionally and others more regularly. How you choose to engage with this type of competition is a personal decision.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
If you’ve seen online competitions offering prizes such as cars or cash, you may have come across BOTB. It’s understandable to question whether entering these competitions is just a way to take part in a game of skill or if it might be considered a form of gambling under UK legislation.
Knowing how competitions like this operate, how they are treated under current regulations, and what financial considerations may be involved can potentially help support informed decision-making.
What Is BOTB?
BOTB, short for Best of the Best, is a UK-based company that runs online prize competitions. These competitions often feature cars as prizes, although other items may also be available. The business has operated since 1999.
To enter, you buy a ticket for the specific prize draw you’re interested in. Ticket prices generally range from £1.50 to £20, depending on the prize on offer. After purchasing a ticket, participants are asked to complete a task known as “Spot the Ball”. This involves looking at an image from a football match where the ball has been digitally removed and marking the spot where you think the centre of the ball was.
A panel of judges with relevant professional backgrounds reviews each entry. They work together to decide on a winning location. The winner is the person whose entry is judged to be closest to that spot. BOTB competitions are available to UK residents aged 18 and over.
The outcome is not determined at random. The judging process introduces an element of skill, as the result is based on how closely a participant’s entry matches the judges’ final decision.
Is BOTB Gambling?
In the case of BOTB, you pay to enter a competition that involves completing a task assessed by a panel of judges. The task is designed to require skill, as it involves analysing an image and making a reasoned decision about a specific point within it.
Competitions that rely primarily on skill are treated differently from those based on chance under UK legislation. BOTB is considered a skill-based competition and is not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) under betting or gaming laws. It operates under the legal framework that applies to skill competitions.
If you’re looking into whether a site is operating in line with regulations, you may find it helpful to read the terms and conditions and any published information about how the competition is run. BOTB provides details about its judging process and how winners are identified.
How Likely Is It To Win BOTB?
The chances of winning in BOTB depend on how many entries are received in each competition and how closely your guess matches the judges’ chosen position in the “Spot the Ball” game.
Some competitions receive tens of thousands of entries. While buying more tickets increases the number of entries linked to you, it does not affect the precision of your guess.
The prize goes to the entry closest to the position agreed upon by the judges. This same position is used to judge all entries, and because several people may make similar or very close guesses, the competition can be quite close.
BOTB does not disclose the total number of entries for each draw, so the exact odds are not publicly available. Typically, one main prize is awarded, with additional smaller prizes sometimes given to runners-up.
Do You Have To Pay Tax on BOTB Winnings?
If you live in the UK, winnings from prize competitions like BOTB are not subject to income tax. Prizes such as cars, cash, or other items are generally not treated as taxable income by HM Revenue & Customs.
However, if you decide to sell a prize like a car and make a profit, this may be liable for Capital Gains Tax. For the 2023/24 tax year, the annual tax-free allowance for gains is £6,000. If your profit exceeds this amount, you may need to pay tax on the gain.
Costs associated with owning a prize, such as insurance, maintenance, or vehicle tax, are not included with the prize and are your responsibility. These expenses cannot be deducted for tax purposes.
You do not need to inform HMRC about the prize unless you carry out a transaction, such as selling the asset, that results in a taxable gain above the annual allowance.
Is BOTB Worth It?
Deciding whether to take part in BOTB depends on your own personal preferences.
It is important to understand that each entry requires payment, with prices varying depending on the prize on offer. The number of participants can influence how challenging it is to win.
While skill plays a role, the final judged position is set by a panel and does not represent an objectively correct answer. Many entries can be very close to one another.
People take part for different reasons, some entering occasionally and others more regularly. How you choose to engage with this type of competition is a personal decision.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
