Launching an online competition website is exciting — until your payment gateway application gets declined without warning.
Competition websites are routinely classed as high-risk, meaning providers like Stripe and PayPal often refuse to support them — even when they’re fully legal.
At Developer Rocket, we’ve helped launch and scale dozens of competition platforms using approved high-risk payment gateways that actually work. This guide explains exactly why competition sites get rejected, which providers to use, and how to get approved faster.
If you are looking to make your own competition website, get in touch here.
Why Competition Websites Are Classed as High-Risk
Competition websites are frequently labelled as “high-risk” by payment gateway providers — even when they operate legally, transparently, and ethically. This classification isn’t a judgement on your business quality, but rather how financial institutions assess transaction risk, regulation, and consumer protection.
Understanding why competition sites fall into this category is essential before applying for a payment gateway, as applying to the wrong provider can lead to delays, rejections, or even permanent blacklisting.
1. Association With Gambling & Prize-Based Models
Payment processors often group competition websites alongside gambling, raffles, and sweepstakes, even when the competition is skill-based or includes a free postal entry route.
From a risk perspective, these models share characteristics such as:
Customers paying for a chance to win a prize
High volumes of low-value transactions
Regulatory oversight that varies by country
Because of this, providers like Stripe and PayPal typically exclude competition websites entirely under their acceptable use policies.
2. Higher Chargeback & Dispute Risk
Chargebacks are one of the biggest concerns for payment processors.
Competition websites can experience:
Customers misunderstanding entry mechanics
Disputes from users who didn’t win
“Friendly fraud” where buyers attempt refunds after losing
Even a small spike in chargebacks can trigger account reviews or freezes. To mitigate this, high-risk payment gateways apply stricter checks, rolling reserves, and transaction monitoring.
3. New Businesses With No Processing History
Most competition websites are startups, and payment providers heavily favour businesses with:
Established transaction history
Predictable revenue patterns
Existing merchant accounts
A brand-new competition business has none of this, which increases perceived risk — regardless of how professional or compliant the site looks.
This is why many applications fail silently or remain “under review” for weeks or months.
4. Regulatory & Compliance Sensitivity (Especially in the UK)
In the UK, competition websites must comply with multiple regulations and bodies, including:
Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
Consumer Protection Regulations
Payment Services Regulations
Gateways must ensure your website:
Clearly explains entry mechanics
Offers a free postal entry route where required
Avoids misleading language such as “raffle” or “lottery”
Displays transparent terms, contact details, and prize evidence
Any ambiguity increases risk — and payment providers err on the side of caution.
5. Reputational Risk for Payment Providers
If a competition website:
Is shut down
Faces complaints
Breaches advertising rules
…the payment processor can also be investigated.
To protect themselves, gateways impose:
Enhanced due diligence
Manual underwriting
Longer approval times
This is why choosing the right high-risk payment gateway from the start is critical.
The Key Takeaway
Competition websites aren’t “high-risk” because they’re illegal or untrustworthy — they’re high-risk because:
They involve prize-based transactions
They attract higher dispute rates
They operate in a tightly regulated space
Many are early-stage businesses
With the right compliance setup, documentation, and payment provider, competition websites can operate smoothly and scale safely.
At Developer Rocket, we design competition platforms with payment approval in mind — reducing friction, avoiding rejections, and connecting clients with providers that understand this niche.
Payment Gateway Providers for Competition Websites (UK)
If you’re running an online competition website in the UK, choosing the right payment gateway is critical. Most mainstream providers will decline applications outright, so it’s essential to work with payment processors that actively support high-risk and prize-based business models.
Below are UK-approved and competition-friendly payment gateway providers we’ve successfully used, vetted, or integrated for competition websites.
Cashflows (Recommended)
Cashflows is one of the most reliable high-risk payment gateways for UK competition websites. They understand prize-based models and provide hands-on onboarding for compliant businesses. If you are looking to get started with Cashflows, please get in touch with us as we have connections within the business to help speed up the process and save you money.
Why Cashflows works well for competition sites:
UK-based underwriting team
Supports high-risk industries
WooCommerce integration available
Strong fraud prevention & reporting
Suitable for startups and scaling businesses
This is often our first recommendation for new competition platforms.
NoChex
NoChex is a UK payment provider with experience supporting non-standard eCommerce models, including competitions and prize draws.
Best for:
Early-stage competition websites
UK-only audiences
Simple checkout requirements
NoChex is often more approachable than larger processors, making it a good option for first-time competition founders.
G2Pay
G2Pay specialises in high-risk and alternative payment processing, making them well-suited to competition websites with unique transaction flows.
Key advantages:
Flexible underwriting
Experience with prize-based businesses
Multiple payment method support
International processing available
Ideal for competition platforms planning to scale beyond the UK.
DNA Payments
DNA Payments offers tailored merchant accounts and has experience working with regulated and high-risk sectors.
Why competition businesses choose DNA Payments:
Strong compliance focus
UK-based support teams
Custom merchant solutions
Suitable for established competition sites
They’re particularly effective for businesses with higher transaction volumes.
Acquired
Acquired works closely with merchants to build long-term, compliant payment solutions for high-risk industries.
Best for:
Businesses with strong documentation
Founders planning sustained growth
Platforms needing custom payment flows
Acquired is less “plug-and-play” but excellent for serious operators.
Axcess
Axcess is frequently chosen for its ease of integration with WordPress and WooCommerce, making it popular among competition website builders.
Key benefits:
WooCommerce-friendly
UK-based provider
Clear onboarding process
Good technical documentation
A solid option where speed and simplicity matter.
Why Provider Choice Matters
Applying to the wrong payment gateway can result in:
Immediate rejection
Long application delays
Permanent internal blacklisting
Account freezes after launch
That’s why choosing a competition-friendly, high-risk payment provider from day one is essential.
At Developer Rocket, we don’t just recommend providers — we:
Match gateways to your business model
Ensure your website meets approval standards
Assist with documentation and compliance
Support WooCommerce and custom integrations
Need a Payment Gateway Referral?
If you’re launching a competition website and want a faster, smoother approval process, we can introduce you directly to the most suitable provider for your setup. Get in touch here.
A quick call allows us to assess:
Your competition model
Website readiness
Target audience
Expected transaction volume
From there, we’ll point you to the provider most likely to approve you first time.
Payment Gateway Costs for Competition Businesses
Because competition websites are classed as high-risk, payment gateway costs are typically higher than standard eCommerce. That said, fees are predictable — and manageable — when you work with the right provider.
Most UK competition businesses can expect the following:
Transaction Fees: Usually between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction, depending on volume and risk profile
Setup Fees: Some providers charge a one-off onboarding fee, typically £100 to £500+
Rolling Reserves: A small percentage of revenue (commonly 5%–10%) may be held temporarily to cover chargebacks
Monthly Fees: Certain gateways apply a modest monthly account or support fee, especially for higher-risk setups
Tip: If you have a strong launch plan, clear compliance documents, or projected turnover, many providers are open to negotiating better rates over time.
At Developer Rocket, we help competition founders choose gateways with fair pricing, transparent terms, and no hidden surprises — so payment processing supports your growth rather than slowing it down. Get in touch here if you want to get started.
Website Compliance Checklist for Payment Gateway Approval
Before approving a competition website, payment gateway providers will manually review your site to ensure it is transparent, compliant, and trustworthy. Even minor issues can delay approval or result in outright rejection.
This is the essential compliance checklist we follow for every competition website we build at Developer Rocket.
1. Free Postal Entry Route
Most UK competition models require a free postal entry option to remain compliant. This must be:
Clearly explained in your Terms & Conditions
Easy to find (not hidden or misleading)
Equal in chance to paid entries
Missing or poorly explained postal entry routes are one of the most common reasons for payment gateway rejection.
2. Clear Terms, Privacy & Cookie Policies
Your website must display:
Terms & Conditions specific to competitions
A Privacy Policy compliant with UK GDPR
A Cookie Policy with consent controls
These pages should be accessible from the footer and written in plain, understandable language.
3. Visible Business Details
Payment providers expect full transparency. Your site should clearly show:
Registered business name
Physical business address
Contact email and phone number
Generic contact forms without identifiable ownership are a red flag for underwriters.
4. Accurate & Verifiable Prize Information
All prizes must be genuine and provable. This includes:
Clear prize descriptions
Evidence of ownership or purchase
Vehicle competitions showing V5C, MOT, or proof of acquisition
Gateways will often request proof — and may cross-check it against your website.
5. Honest Marketing & Statistics
Avoid exaggeration or placeholder content such as:
Fake winner counts
Inflated “entries sold” stats
Testimonials without verification
If stats aren’t available yet, it’s better to remove them entirely than risk misleading claims.
6. Correct Language Usage
Never use restricted terminology such as:
“Raffle”
“Lottery”
“Gambling”
Your wording should consistently refer to competitions and skill-based entry, where applicable.
7. No Unverified Charity Claims
Do not mention charity donations unless:
The charity relationship is formally agreed
You have written permission
The donation mechanics are clearly explained
Unverified charity references can instantly halt payment approval.
Why Compliance Matters
Payment gateways are risk-averse. If your website appears unclear, misleading, or incomplete, providers may:
Decline your application
Freeze your account post-launch
Permanently flag your business internally
At Developer Rocket, we design competition websites with payment approval in mind, ensuring your site passes compliance checks and avoids costly delays.
Why Choose Developer Rocket for Competition Websites
Building a competition website isn’t the same as building a standard eCommerce store. It requires a deep understanding of compliance, payment gateway approval, and competition-specific functionality — and that’s exactly where Developer Rocket stands apart.
We specialise in designing, building, and scaling competition websites that are engineered to pass payment provider checks and operate smoothly from day one.
Built With Payment Approval in Mind
Many competition websites fail at the payment gateway stage because they’re built without considering risk assessment criteria.
At Developer Rocket, we:
Design websites specifically to meet high-risk payment gateway requirements
Structure competition pages to reduce chargebacks and disputes
Ensure all compliance elements are present before applications are submitted
This significantly improves approval success and prevents accounts from being frozen post-launch.
Competition-Specific Technical Expertise
We don’t use generic templates or one-size-fits-all solutions. Our competition websites are built with features such as:
WooCommerce-based competition systems
Instant win, click-to-reveal, and scratch-card mechanics
Wallet and credit systems
Secure ticket number generation
Scalable infrastructure for high-traffic launches
Everything is built to handle real-world competition demand.
Trusted Payment Gateway Connections
We’ve worked directly with UK high-risk payment providers that actively support competition websites.
That means:
We know which gateways approve competition models
We understand what documentation they require
We can help you avoid providers that will waste your time
In many cases, we can guide you toward the best provider for your setup, rather than trial-and-error applications.
Compliance-First Approach
Every Developer Rocket competition website includes:
Clear competition-specific Terms & Conditions
Free postal entry route guidance
Correct language usage and disclaimers
Transparent business and contact details
Compliance isn’t an afterthought — it’s built into the foundation of your site.
Ongoing Support as You Scale
Launching is just the beginning. As your competition business grows, we continue to support you with:
Payment gateway upgrades
Feature enhancements
Performance optimisation
New competition formats and monetisation ideas
You’re not left on your own once the site goes live.
The Bottom Line
If you want a competition website that:
Gets approved by payment gateways
Operates compliantly in the UK
Scales without technical headaches
Is built by people who understand the industry
Developer Rocket is the partner you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Competition Websites & Payment Gateways
Can competition websites use Stripe or PayPal?
In most cases, no. Mainstream providers such as Stripe and PayPal typically prohibit competition, prize draw, and giveaway business models — even if they are legal and skill-based. Using them can lead to sudden account freezes or terminated funds. Cashflows does have a Paypal integration now.
Why are competition websites classed as high-risk?
Competition websites involve prize-based transactions, which can result in higher chargeback rates, regulatory scrutiny, and consumer disputes. Because of this, payment processors categorise them as high-risk and require enhanced compliance checks before approval.
What payment gateways support competition websites in the UK?
UK competition websites usually require high-risk payment gateways. Providers such as Cashflows, NoChex, G2Pay, DNA Payments, Acquired, and Axcess are commonly used for compliant competition platforms. The right provider depends on your website setup, transaction volume, and business structure.
Do I need a registered business to run a competition website?
Yes. Payment gateway providers require a legally registered business, valid photo ID, a physical business address, and proof of prize ownership. Without these, applications are almost always rejected.
Is a free postal entry route mandatory?
In many UK competition models, yes. A free postal entry route must be clearly explained in your Terms & Conditions and offer the same chance of winning as paid entries. This is a key compliance requirement reviewed during payment gateway approval.
What documents do payment gateways usually ask for?
Most providers will request:
Government-issued photo ID
Company registration details
Proof of bank account ownership
Competition Terms & Conditions
Evidence of prize ownership or purchase
A live, fully compliant website
Having these ready can significantly speed up approval.
Can my payment gateway be frozen after launch?
Yes. Even approved accounts can be reviewed or frozen if your website changes, compliance slips, or chargeback levels increase. This is why building and maintaining a compliance-first competition website is essential.
Can Developer Rocket help with payment gateway approval?
Yes. At Developer Rocket, we build competition websites specifically to meet payment gateway requirements and can guide you toward providers most likely to approve your business. We also help ensure your site remains compliant as you scale.