Merchant category codes for competition websites
Prize competition websites do not have a code of their own. They commonly sit under 7999 for other recreation services or 5999 for specialist retail, and the code is agreed with the payment provider at the start. What matters most is that a skill based competition with a free entry route is not treated as gambling.
Merchant category codes for competitions
The codes businesses in this sector come across most. Your provider sets the code when your account is opened, based on what you tell them about how you trade.
| Code | Industry | More |
|---|---|---|
| 7999 | Other recreation and competitions | Hospitality payments |
| 5999 | Specialist and other retail | Industry guide |
| 7922 | Theatres, promoters and ticket agents | Nightclub payment processing |
Skill, free entry and the law
Under the Gambling Act 2005, a prize competition with a genuine skill question or a free entry route is not a lottery. That legal footing is what separates a competition site from a gambling business, and it should be visible on the site, in the terms and in how entries are handled. Take your own legal advice on your model.
Ticket surges and draw days
Competition sites sell thousands of small tickets in bursts, especially as a draw closes. The account should expect those surges as normal trading.
Prizes and transparency
Publishing winners, live draws and delivered prizes builds trust with players and makes the business easy to understand for anyone looking at it.
Card payments for competitions, opinions from our specialists
Short views from our specialists, published to start a conversation. Agree or disagree, tell them on LinkedIn.
The best competition sites publish everything. Every draw, every winner, every prize delivered. Transparency is the cheapest compliance tool in the industry.
Publishing winners is great. Publishing the free entry route just as clearly is what shows players the competition is fair.
What to check in a card payments setup for competitions
Three questions worth asking any provider, and the eCom Pay answer.
Surges expected
Draw day volume treated as normal trading.
Free entry route visible
Clear on the site and in your terms.
Next working day settlement
Prize money funded from yesterday's takings.
Questions about merchant category codes for competitions
What MCC does a competition website use?
Commonly 7999 for other recreation services or 5999 for specialist retail. It is agreed with your provider when the account is opened.
Is a prize competition gambling?
A competition with a genuine skill question or a free entry route is not a lottery under the Gambling Act 2005. Take your own legal advice on your model.
Can competition sites in Ireland and Europe take card payments?
Yes, eCom Pay works with competition sites in the UK, Ireland and Europe, subject to local rules.
More industry guides
Card payments for competitions, set up properly
Approved in 24 hours once your documents are in, settled the next working day with no rolling reserve, and a UK team on the phone 24/7.