A raffle with an online wheel is fast, visual and, above all, transparent: everyone sees the options and the moment the wheel stops. Whether it's for a giveaway on social media, a prize at an event or a draw among friends, the process is the same and takes minutes.
Step 1: Define the rules before spinning
- Who participates: closed list or open entry? Decide before the draw and stick to it.
- What the prize is: be specific. "A surprise" generates less excitement than "a €50 gift card".
- How many winners: one or several? If several, decide whether the wheel is spun once per winner or in a single spin with several segments.
- Deadline and format: when entries close and how people enter (comment, form, purchase).
Step 2: Prepare the participant list
- Clean the list: remove duplicates, fake accounts and ineligible entries before the draw, not after.
- One entry per person: if someone entered twice, keep one. Transparency starts with the list.
- Number or name: for a small group, names; for a large one, numbers are clearer and faster to read on the wheel.
Step 3: Spin and record
- Fill the wheel with the participants (names or numbers).
- Spin in front of the audience: live on social media, on a shared screen or in the group chat. Seeing the spin is what makes the result credible.
- Record the result: a screenshot or screen recording of the wheel stopped on the winner. Keep it as proof.
- If someone wins twice: spin again for a replacement, but always show it.
Step 4: Announce and deliver
- Announce publicly with the wheel result: winner, prize and how to claim it.
- Set a claim window: for example, 72 hours to respond; if not, spin again.
- Deliver and close: hand over the prize and publish a short confirmation. It builds trust for the next raffle.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spinning until the "right" person wins: if you re-spin until you like the result, the raffle is rigged. Decide the rules before and respect them.
- Changing the list mid-draw: any change after the spin starts breaks credibility. Freeze the list before.
- Not showing the moment: announcing a winner without showing the spin invites suspicion. Always record or stream the draw.
- Forgetting the rules: if participants don't know how many winners there are or how to claim, you'll get complaints. Publish the rules with the announcement.
FAQ
Is an online wheel fair for a raffle?
Yes, if all participants have the same weight in the wheel, each one has the same probability. Showing the spin makes it verifiable.
Can I use weights in a raffle?
You can, but for a raffle it's not recommended: weights mean not everyone has the same chance, and that must be public if used. For a fair draw, keep all weights equal.
What if I have more than 100 participants?
Use numbers instead of names so the wheel stays readable. Rooms with many entries work well with the wheel of numbers.
Can the result be manipulated?
A well-built wheel uses real browser randomness; without weights, the probability is uniform. Record the spin so everyone can verify it.
How do I announce the winner?
With a screenshot or video of the wheel stopped on the winner, plus the rules of claim. Clear, public and verifiable.
Ready to run your raffle? Fill the [decision wheel](/) with your participants and spin — chance will do the rest.
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