Is Omaze Legit?
Omaze has become a household name for running exciting million-pound house giveaways with a charitable twist, donating millions of pounds to charities. But before we address whether Omaze is legit, let’s first outline precisely what Omaze does.
The platform is built around an innovative model: it offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences or high-value prizes while raising money for charities. Participants purchase entries to these sweepstakes, and a portion of the proceeds goes directly to non-profit organisations.
By combining the thrill of a lottery with the appeal of charitable giving, Omaze has created a unique niche in the fundraising world.
Like any platform that promises big rewards, it’s natural for people to wonder: is Omaze legitimate?
While there’s been some controversy around the platform, it’s essential to get the complete picture before jumping to conclusions. We’ll delve into what sets Omaze apart, explore some of the concerns people have raised about their operations, and provide you with a balanced perspective.
How Does Omaze Work?
Omaze usually gives away one grand house prize and several smaller prizes every month. To enter, players need to buy an entry ticket for the draw.
Here's a step-by-step on how to enter an Omaze draw:
- Select and buy some tickets
- Obtain a 13-digit code online, automatically enrolling you in the draw
- Wait to find out if your code is randomly picked out
- Redeem your prize using this code if you win
It's worth noting that every player is limited to £500 spend every calendar month.
Is Omaze UK Legit Or A Con?
Yes, Omaze is a legitimate company founded in 2012 in the US before coming to the UK in 2020. It is a legit giveaway site that raffles off houses worth millions of pounds, donating a portion of their profits to a different charity every month.
Regardless of how many tickets are sold, Omaze UK promises to give at least 1 million pounds to its charity partners – even when house draws are undersold.
They don’t disclose ticket sales, so it’s impossible to tell how many other people you’re up against. They still operate within legal and ethical bounds as a fundraising platform.
They’ve certainly had their fair share of controversies, which we’ll detail below, but remember that Omaze has a TrustPilot score of 4.8, which is excellent and shows they’re a genuine company.
Rest assured, Omaze is definitely not a con or scam.
Recent Omaze Controversy
Omaze has two major controversies online that often grab people’s attention:
1. Omaze Curse
If you’ve heard talk of the ‘Omaze curse’, you’ve likely already stumbled upon Omaze’s biggest controversy.
Most million-pound house winners typically sell their dream homes within 12 months, and even those who do choose to keep it generally don’t live it in themselves, preferring to rent it out on AirBnB.
This is primarily due to these properties' enormous running costs – often over £100,000 per year, with bills continuing to rise.
For winners who live in standard-size houses and only pay a few hundred pounds in council tax, receiving their first council tax bill for tens of thousands of pounds usually comes as quite a shock.
And that’s all there is to the controversy. People do really win their dream homes; they tend to sell them off rather quickly.
2. Fake Winners Theory
The Omaze Fake Winners theory suggests that the announced winners may not be genuine, primarily because the prizes seem almost too good to be true and that all the winners are, in fact, paid actors.
Sceptics argue that offering such high-value prizes could be a marketing strategy to attract more donations and trick more people into the Omaze scam. For some, the idea of winning a million-dollar mansion or a lavish vacation for a modest donation feels unrealistic, sparking questions about the authenticity of the winners.
However, Omaze provides clear evidence of real winners through publicly available stories and testimonials on their website. Additionally, Omaze operates under strict rules and regulations to ensure its sweepstakes are fair and transparent.
While scepticism around big giveaways is natural, the evidence supports Omaze’s credibility.
Has the Omaze House Draw Been Cancelled?
No, Omaze has never cancelled a house draw in the UK. Winners have gone on to sell the houses they won immediately after their big break because they couldn’t afford to kep the properties, but that is about it.
How much do Omaze tickets cost?
Omaze tickets typically cost £10-£150 depending on the entry bundle you choose. The specific pricing options are:
| Number of Entries | Price | Price per Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 320 | £150 | 47p |
| 85 | £50 | 59p |
| 40 | £25 | 63p |
| 15 | £10 | 67p |
In summary, Omaze offers a range of paid entry options as well as a free postal entry method for their prize draws.
When is the Omaze draw?
The next Omaze house draw will close on Boxing day, Thursday 26th December 2024.
Omaze’s latest draw to win a house in Cheshire will be drawn at the end of the month, with the winner revealed on November 1st. You can find more information about Omaze’s latest draws on their website.
Where Is The Latest Omaze House Located?
The latest Omaze house is an enchanting £4,000,000 property on the shores of Coniston Water in the Lake District. The decadent mansion features every detail designed for elegance and comfort, including a spa, a private jetty, and a charming summerhouse.
Other House Draw Locations
Here's where some recent Omaze houses have been:
Wirral House: Located on the Wirral in Caldy, specifically on Thorsway. Valued at £3 million, it features five bedrooms and three bathrooms. It boasts a modern design inspired by mid-century architecture, with a floor-to-ceiling glass façade that offers stunning views over the Dee Estuary and Irish Sea. The house is set on a one-acre plot and includes luxurious amenities such as a cinema room and a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Great Escape Wales House: The Omaze Great House is located in Gladestry, a village in Powys, Wales. This contemporary retreat is set amidst four acres of wildflower meadows at the foot of the Radnor Hills, offering a serene escape into nature. The property is valued at over £500,000 and features three bedrooms, generous picture windows, and eco-friendly amenities. It's conveniently situated within easy reach of Hay-on-Wye and Hereford, making it an idyllic getaway in the Welsh countryside.
Devon House: Located in Exmouth, a coastal town in Devon, England. This glamorous abode is valued at over £2,000,000 and features three bedrooms, expansive sun decks, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Nestled within the rolling greenery of the Exmouth area, it is just ten minutes away from Blue Flag beaches. It includes luxurious amenities such as a Mediterranean-inspired pool and landscaped gardens.
Yorkshire House: Located in the Yorkshire Dales, just a short distance from the historic town of Harrogate. This picturesque period farmhouse is set on approximately five acres of lush land, offering stunning views of the North Yorkshire countryside. The property boasts a traditional farmhouse kitchen, a spacious main bedroom with an en suite, and beautifully landscaped gardens, making it an idyllic retreat for the draw winner.
Cornwall House: Located in Falmouth, specifically at Maenporth Road, Mawnan. This unique house, valued at £4.5 million, overlooks the beautiful coastline and offers luxurious features such as a heated pool and a sundowner terrace. The building is designed for supreme seaside living, just minutes away from the golden sands of Maenporth Beach, making it an ideal coastal retreat.
London House: Located in the heart of Victoria Park village, East London. This luxurious property, valued at over £5 million, features four bedrooms and a range of high-end amenities, including a gym, games area, and spa facilities with a jacuzzi and sauna. The house is just a four-minute walk from Victoria Park, making it ideal for those who appreciate both luxury and access to green spaces in the city.
Surrey House: Located near Farnham, Surrey. This luxurious property, valued at approximately £3,000,000, features five bedrooms, a heated pool, a sauna, and a gym. It is set amidst the scenic beauty of Surrey, just an hour's train ride from London. Woodland walks surround the house, and it is a short drive from Frensham Pond, providing a tranquil escape while remaining accessible to urban amenities.
Dorset House: Located in Wimborne, Dorset. This property is a contemporary five-bedroom retreat valued at approximately £2,500,000 and is surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and woodland, offering a serene living environment. The house is situated between the New Forest and the southern coastline of the UK, providing easy access to picturesque riverside paths and some of the nation's best-loved beaches around Bournemouth.
Frequently asked questions about Omaze
Has anyone won Omaze with free entry?
Yes, there have been instances where individuals won through a free entry method, although this is much less common as Omaze primarily operates on a paid-entry model.
How many people enter Omaze?
Omaze has hundreds of thousands of entrants per competition, if not millions, because they're the largest house giveaway site in the world. The number of participants entering Omaze can vary widely depending on the popularity of the house draw, the value of the prize, time of year and the overall reach of the fundraising efforts.
What are the odds of winning Omaze UK?
The odds of winning Omaze house draws in the UK depend on the number of entries received for a specific competition. In other words, they could be between 1 in a hundred thousand or a million.
Who is the Omaze woman in the Omaze advert?
The woman in the Omaze advert is Joanne Pickard, a British actress and presenter. Joanne Pickard has worked with various production companies as a voice actor, including Netflix, ITV, Channel 5, Volvo, and Canon, and has recorded numerous successful national television campaigns as the voice of Omaze UK.
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