Daily Mail Competition

[Kellyanna]

I was contacted by The Daily Mail yesterday telling me I had won their codeword competition with a prize of £750, but today I was contacted again to say they couldn't pay me as I live in Northern Ireland! Can somebody tell me if this is correct?

[Buenchico]

Without copy of the newspaper's rules to hand (which don't appear to be available online), it's impossible to give a definitive answer.

However newspapers always exclude NI residents from participation in prize draws, as to allow them to do so would fall foul of the provisions of Section IV of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 (as amended).

e.g. see here
https://creative.dailymail.co.uk/you/2022/09-mailplus/terms.html
and here
https://www.mymail.co.uk/pages/giveaway-terms

My guess is that the publishers include a similar provision in all of their competition rules as, even if there is a requirement to solve some sort of a puzzle, the ultimate winner is still determined by a random draw from all of those who've successfully done so and they're simply not prepared to risk contravening the NI legislation. (Sorry!).

[Patsy33]

Aww, what a shame!
Stupid laws..

[Kellyanna]

Thanks to you both---just gutted after doing The Mail's puzzles for years! What Ican't understand is that I also do Sunday & daily Express
crosswords and have won several times (only £25 usually) and have received the prizes ok - must just be the Mail so won't be going there in future!

[ness13]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I was given a copy of the MOS a few months ago and liked the puzzles. The terms do say 'Open to UK residents only, excluding residents of Northern Ireland.' (I kept a copy)
Then I spotted the Irish MOS in the shop and bought it. It only has the big crossword (for €2000) and their rules say it's open to UK & Ireland, including Northern Ireland! I've emailed and tweeted trying to find out why but never had a response! Oh well, like you, I'll stick to the Express.