Skill questions are one of the most misunderstood parts of running a prize competition in the UK.
Many competition websites believe they are operating legally because they include a question before entry. In reality, a large number of these questions do not meet the legal standard for skill. When that happens, the competition can quietly become an illegal lottery.
This is one of the most common reasons competition businesses run into problems with payment providers, advertising platforms, or regulators.
This guide explains what the UK actually considers a genuine skill question, why most examples fail, and how to structure prize competitions correctly so they do not rely on chance.
Why skill questions matter
Under UK law, a competition avoids being classed as a lottery only if chance is removed.
One way to remove chance is through skill, knowledge, or judgement. If the outcome of the competition depends on skill rather than luck, it may be a lawful prize competition and not require a gambling licence.
The problem is that the threshold for skill is higher than most people expect.
The legal test for skill in the UK
A skill question must do more than exist. It must have a real effect on who can enter or who can win.
In simple terms, a skill question must either:
Prevent a significant proportion of people from entering at all, or
Prevent a significant proportion of entrants from winning
If the question does not meaningfully filter participants, the competition still relies on chance.
Calling something a skill question does not make it one.
What the law means by “significant”
This is where most competitions fail.
A question does not need to be impossible, but it must require genuine thought, knowledge, or judgement. If most people can answer it correctly without effort, the skill requirement is not significant.
There is no fixed percentage written into law, but regulators and payment providers look at whether the question genuinely reduces the pool of successful entrants.
If nearly everyone gets it right, chance still determines the winner.
Examples of skill questions that usually fail
Many competition sites use questions like:
- What colour is the sky on a clear day?
- How many wheels does a car have?
- Which is bigger, a mouse or an elephant?
- What is 2 plus 2?
These questions are obvious. They do not require skill, knowledge, or judgement. Almost everyone answers correctly.
In legal terms, they do not remove chance.
Using these questions does not protect your competition from being classed as a lottery.
Why multiple choice questions often cause problems
Multiple choice questions are not automatically invalid, but they are often poorly designed.
If the correct answer is obvious, or the incorrect answers are clearly wrong, the question will usually fail the skill test.
For example, a multiple choice question with one sensible answer and three ridiculous options does not meaningfully challenge entrants.
This is a common mistake on DIY competition sites.
Examples of skill questions that are more likely to pass
Valid skill questions typically involve:
- Specific knowledge relevant to the topic
- Calculation or reasoning
- Judgement-based assessment where answers vary
- Questions that require research or experience
For example, questions that require understanding of a subject, careful reading, or informed judgement are more likely to be considered genuine skill.
The goal is not to trick entrants, but to ensure that answering correctly is not automatic.
Why “harder” is not always enough
Making a question harder does not automatically make it compliant.
A question that is difficult but still guessable may still rely on chance. A multiple choice question with four options still allows a 25 percent chance of guessing correctly.
This is why some competitions combine skill questions with additional safeguards, such as limited attempts or more complex judgement elements.
How skill questions affect payment providers
Payment providers assess competitions based on how they work in practice, not how they are described.
If a provider believes your skill question does not meet the legal threshold, they may treat your site as a lottery.
This can lead to:
- Rejected merchant applications
- Frozen funds
- Account closures
- Difficulty obtaining alternative providers
Even if no regulator contacts you, payment issues often appear first.
Skill questions versus free entry routes
Some competition sites attempt to rely on both a skill question and a free entry route.
This can be valid, but it must be implemented correctly.
If your skill question fails, the competition may still be lawful if there is a genuine free entry route that is clearly communicated and easy to use.
If both elements are weak, the site is exposed.
Common mistakes competition sites make with skill questions
- Using obvious or trivial questions
- Reusing the same question across all competitions
- Allowing unlimited attempts
- Hiding the question after payment rather than before entry
- Failing to explain how answers affect eligibility
Each of these weakens the argument that skill removes chance.
Why DIY competition websites get this wrong
Most website builders are not legal specialists.
Templates often include generic question fields with no guidance on legal thresholds. Founders copy what they have seen elsewhere without understanding why those sites may be compliant or non-compliant.
As a result, many sites look like prize competitions but function like lotteries.
This creates risk long before anyone realises there is a problem.
How to structure skill questions properly
A compliant approach usually includes:
- Questions that genuinely require thought or knowledge
- Clear explanation of why the question is used
- Limited attempts to answer
- Consistent application across all entries
- Legal review of question formats
Skill should be built into the competition logic, not added as an afterthought.
Frequently asked questions
Is any question enough to make a competition legal?
No. The question must meaningfully remove chance.
Can I copy a question from another competition site?
Not safely. What works for one site may not work for another.
Can I change the question later?
Changing questions does not fix past non-compliance and may raise further issues.
Do regulators actively check skill questions?
Payment providers and advertising platforms often assess this before regulators do.
Final thoughts
Skill questions are one of the most powerful tools for running lawful prize competitions in the UK, but only when used correctly.
Most problems arise not from bad intentions, but from misunderstanding how the law works in practice.
A poorly designed skill question does not protect your business. It exposes it.
This is why serious competition operators treat skill questions as a core part of the website build, compliance structure, and payment strategy, not a box to tick.
When skill is implemented properly, it supports legality, payment approval, and long-term growth.
