When a council estate dad won a £2.5 million Omaze mansion, he thought his life had changed forever — until the dream home turned into a million-pound nightmare.
In June 2024, 61-year-old Chris Milnes — a father from a Yorkshire council-estate background — won a £2.5 million mansion via the Omaze Million Pound House Draw. But within months, he listed it for sale — slashing the price by nearly £1 million — after discovering the hefty time, cost, and effort required just to maintain the property.
What looked like a fairy-tale windfall quickly morphed into a “white elephant” nightmare. The mansion, spanning 4,650 square feet and outfitted with luxury furnishings, demanded so much upkeep that Milnes claimed a full “day just to clean.” Frustrated, he first listed at £2.3m and ultimately sold for roughly £1.6m — a drop of nearly 40%.
This dramatic flip has reignited skepticism: Is Omaze a scam disguised as a charity raffle?
What Is Omaze — and How Does It Operate?
Omaze is a fundraising platform that runs sweepstakes offering luxury homes, cars, and experiences as prizes according to City AM. Entrants typically donate money to charity in exchange for entries into these draws, though there’s often a “no purchase necessary” route to comply with legal rules. The company claims that prizes are real, that winners receive property along with settling-in cash, and that every draw contributes a guaranteed amount to its partner charities.
While Omaze is not classified as gambling under UK law (operating under prize competition rules), critics argue its structure and marketing edge close to that territory.
Why Many Winners End Up Dumping Their Prizes
Winning a mansion can sound like a dream. But several issues often turn it into a burden:
Maintenance & running costs — Luxury homes come with steep expenses: cleaning, heating, insurance, landscaping. Some winners say their cash award isn’t nearly enough to offset this.
Mismatch with lifestyle or location — Winners may live far from the new property or have jobs elsewhere, making long-term occupancy impractical.
Market value discrepancies — In many cases, winners ultimately sell the home for far less than its advertised “worth,” as Milnes did.
Planning or construction legal issues — Some houses have faced planning disputes or retroactive compliance requirements, delaying possession or triggering modifications.
Milnes’ experience is not unique. Others have sold their Omaze homes within months, citing similar practical pressures or lifestyle mismatches.
Direct Question: Is Omaze a Scam?
No — Omaze is not a proven scam in the legal and regulatory sense. It is a legitimate company that has awarded real prizes in the UK. But “not a scam” doesn’t mean “risk-free.” Many critics argue the model preys on hope, with odds so long and hidden costs so high that for most participants, it’s a net loss.
Definition for clarity:
A scam implies intentional fraud or deception. In contrast, Omaze operates transparently under existing laws, discloses odds, and delivers real prizes — though how “fun” or “advantageous” it is depends heavily on which pressure points you overlook.
Chris Milnes’ dream home near Poole, Dorset, awarded through the Omaze Million Pound Draw.
The Chris Milnes Case Study: A Cautionary Tale
Milnes, the council-house–raised father, won his mansion without informing his family initially. After enjoying “magical memories” in the property, he opted to sell. His aims: buy a more manageable home locally, help his children onto the housing ladder, and travel to see his first grandchild in Australia according to the Yorkshire Post.
He cited that the maintenance alone — cleaning, utilities, upkeep — made living there a burden. The property was sold with all furnishings included, effectively transferring both the asset and the liabilities.
His decision fueled media attention around the so-called “Omaze curse”: where winners feel compelled to resell due to hidden costs and lifestyle incompatibilities.
The Selling Trend Among Winners
Many winners choose to sell soon after taking possession:
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Houses listed well below the promotional valuation
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Sales sometimes completed months after the win
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Stories of winners grappling with high costs, planning problems, or simply the impracticality of remote relocation
These trends add weight to the skepticism around raffle-based house giveaways.
Balancing Pros & Cons: What Participants Should Know
| Pros | Cons / Risks |
|---|---|
| You can win a multi-million-pound house and cash | Very low odds of winning |
| Prize comes with “settling-in” cash to help with costs | That cash often isn’t enough to cover all running expenses |
| The prize is real — houses do get awarded | Many winners resell at massive discounts |
| Contributes funding to charity partners | Some criticize the portion going to charity vs marketing and operations |
People Also Ask About Omaze
How do Omaze sweepstakes work?
Omaze sweepstakes let participants enter for a chance to win high-value prizes, usually by donating to a charity. There is typically a “no purchase necessary” option to comply with UK prize draw regulations.
Are Omaze prizes taxable in the UK?
In the UK, cash and physical prizes won through sweepstakes like Omaze are generally not subject to income tax, but winners should check local rules for any potential tax obligations.
Can non-UK residents enter Omaze competitions?
Yes, many Omaze competitions are open internationally, but eligibility depends on local laws, and winners outside the UK may have additional legal or tax considerations.
What charities benefit from Omaze draws?
Omaze partners with a variety of UK and international charities, with proceeds from entries going to support causes such as health, education, and social welfare initiatives.
Is there a limit to how many times you can enter an Omaze sweepstake?
Entry limits vary by sweepstake. Some allow unlimited entries with each donation, while others restrict the number of entries per person to ensure fairness.
Final Take
Omaze is not a scam in the strict sense — winners have received properties as promised, and the company operates under prize draw regulations. That said, the real-life stress, costs, and disappointments experienced by winners like Chris Milnes reveal a harsher truth: these dreams often come with hidden burdens.
If you're considering entering an Omaze house draw, treat it like a high-risk ticket — not an investment. Be sure to read all disclaimers, understand running costs, and remain skeptical of glossy marketing.
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