UK Banks and Merchant Services for Competition and Raffle Businesses
Setting up banking and merchant services for a UK competition business can be difficult. Prize competitions, raffles and gaming style websites are often marked as high risk by traditional financial institutions. This means not every bank or gateway will approve accounts for this sector. To help, we have created a detailed guide to the banks and merchant service providers that support online competition and raffle businesses in the UK.
This list features companies that understand the prize draw model and regularly work with operators in this space. Based on our experience building and managing competition websites across the country, Cashflows remains the most reliable merchant option for fast approval, stable processing and seamless integration.
Merchant Service Providers for Competition and Raffle Websites
1. Cashflows
Cashflows is our recommended merchant provider for competition businesses. The platform supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and all major cards. The checkout is secure, stable and trusted within the prize competition industry. They also have one of the most supportive underwriting teams for competition sites.
Learn more: https://www.cashflows.com
2. Radiant Pay
Radiant Pay provides high risk merchant accounts for gambling, gaming and competition websites. They offer dependable processing and understand the compliance standards required for UK prize draws.
Learn more: https://www.radiantpay.com
3. Axcess Merchant Services
Axcess Merchant Services specialises in high risk card processing for online casinos, lottery sites and competition businesses. Their solutions include fraud prevention tools and multi payment method support.
Learn more: https://www.axcessms.com
4. Merchant Connect
Merchant Connect offers payment processing designed for high risk industries. They provide tailored setups for UK raffle and competition companies that need secure transactions and flexible approvals.
Learn more: https://merchantconnect.io
5. Corepay
Corepay delivers high risk merchant accounts for industries such as CBD, gaming and competitions. Their gateway integrates smoothly with most competition platforms and includes anti fraud systems.
Learn more: https://corepay.net
Banks Accepting Competition and High Risk Businesses
1. Zempler Bank
Zempler, previously Cashplus, is one of the most competition friendly banks in the UK. They allow the setup of high risk business accounts and provide fast onboarding with straightforward verification.
Learn more: https://www.zemplerbank.com
2. Clique Payment Tech Limited
Clique provides business banking solutions for high risk sectors including gaming, prize competitions and online gambling. They focus on simple account management and quick approval times.
Learn more: https://www.clique.tech
3. Extra Direct
Extra Direct offers guaranteed acceptance business bank accounts for high risk companies. They are commonly used by new competition start ups that need an active UK bank account without delays.
Learn more: https://www.extradirect.co.uk
4. RiskLink
RiskLink supports business bank accounts for gambling and gaming style companies, which makes them suitable for competition operators. Their services are built around the financial needs of high volume online businesses.
Learn more: https://www.risklink.co.uk
Conclusion
For most competition and raffle businesses, the smoothest combination is Cashflows for payment processing and Zempler Bank for the business account. Both understand the prize draw sector and offer faster onboarding than traditional financial institutions.
Every business is different, so if you need guidance on the best setup for your competition website, our team at Nera Competitions can walk you through the options and help you choose the right combination.
Important Notice
This guide is based on our experience working within the UK competition industry. You should always complete your own checks before opening an account. Nera Competitions does not accept liability for any agreements or financial arrangements you enter with the providers listed.
