How Automatic Draws work

Our system ensures a fair and random selection process to choose a single winner for each lottery. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how it works:

Step 1: Gather Participants

We start by collecting all eligible participants who have entered the lottery. This list contains unique entries for the draw, ensuring each participant has an equal chance of winning.

Step 2: Use a Random Number Generator

To select the winner, we use a well-known PHP function, mt_rand(). This function generates a random number between two specified values:

  • The smallest number is 1.
  • The largest number is the total number of participants minus one (to account for zero-based indexing).

For example, if there are 10 participants, mt_rand(1, 10) generates a random number between 1 and 10.

Step 3: Select the Winner

The random number generated by mt_rand() corresponds the ticket number in the participant list. The participant associated to that ticket number is selected as the winner. This ensures the process is unbiased and purely based on chance.

Step 4: Display the Winner

Once the winner is selected, their details are processed, displayed on the competition page automatically.

How Randomness is Ensured

  1. Use of mt_rand: The mt_rand() function is a reliable method for generating random numbers, commonly used in programming for fair draws.
  2. Unpredictable Inputs: The randomness of the process is further enhanced by the way the participant list is dynamically generated based on the entries for each competition.

Example Scenario

Participants: Alice, Bob, Carol, Dave, Eve
Total Participants: 5

  1. mt_rand(1, 5) generates the number 2.
  2. The participant with ticket number 2 in the list is Carol.
  3. Carol is declared the winner and notified of her prize.

Summary

The process to select a winner involves:

  1. Gathering all participants ticket numbers.
  2. Using mt_rand() to generate a random number based on the participant list.
  3. Picking the participant whos ticket number has been selected as the winner.
  4. Notifying the winner of their success.

This step-by-step approach ensures fairness and transparency in every draw.

How to submit a free postal entry

Please complete the following steps and send the relevant information to the address below

Postal Address
WoW Comps, PO Box 171, Pontyclun, CF72 OFH

Please enclose the following information
1. The competition number and name you wish to enter
2. Your full name and postal address
3. Telephone number and email address
4. Date of birth
5. Your answer to the competition questions

Your postal entry will be subject to our Terms & Conditions