How Do They Select The Winner?

[moswinner]

The answer is probably obvious, but when competitions invite you to answer by Text, phone or post, how do they decide which of the three options will be chosen to get a winner?

[Cloverjo]

I've wondered that too. If it helps, I've won one when I've sent by email.

[Tuvok]

I hate ones that say text to exter - I don't have a mobile phone.

Our local radio has a weekly one where they say text t enter, 2 texts gives you 3 entry or enter for free on their website - so I do but it expects a mobile number there as well!!!

[Arrods]

I'd like to think they have a 'mini draw' to select the method of entry and then draw the winner from the selected method.

[magicmick]

I once had it explained to me that each entry is given a number, all the numbers go into one pot then a number drawn that is the winner.

[sir.prize]

Statement from ITV:

"ITV operates an independently developed winner selector tool under licence from a third party. This is known as inner Selector’ and is a market leading solution used for managing many competitions across the UK. The Winner Selector works by taking in all entries to a competition from each entry route, and assigning a unique random number to every entry. This is done independently of the original entry method, and assures that each entry has the same chance of being selected, irrespective of the method of entry.

The random number generator component of Winner Selector has been independently verified by an auditor appointed by the licensor, and the processes that ensure all entries to a competition are included for each winner selection are regularly verified by ITV’s independent auditors. ITV’s winner selection process is therefore robust and reliable and is applied consistently to all ITV competitions.

We can further confirm that Loose Women competition entrants who have used the free entry route have been picked as winners, as well as those who have used paid entry routes."

[moswinner]

Thanks everyone

[Arrods]

I'd be interested to know how they apply a unique random number to a postal entry. Seems to me this would be fairly labour-intensive, bearing in mind for example the MoS prize crossword has gone over to the winner being selected simply by correctly identifying the number of letter "I"s in the answer grid.