Possible online solution

I decided to buy the April 2021 issue of Sporting Gun while my wife was browsing the book aisle in our local Tesco. It was the first time in many years I had purchased a copy, although I subscribe to several other publications.

I just wanted to set you straight on your response to Roy Mahon’s letter regarding the operation of competitions in Northern Ireland. I disagree with the advice you have received on how the law applies to such promotions.

Many other providers from across the spectrum of companies that operate in the UK manage to successfully run these competitions allowing NI residents to participate without falling foul of the law. The answer is simply to provide an alternative means of entry that does not require the NI entrant to make a purchase. This is usually accomplished by inviting NI residents to enter online or by posting their name and address to the body hosting the competition and giving such entries an equal chance of winning (i.e. you can’t just throw them in the bin when you receive them).

I know you may not like this idea as it could seem unfair that people get to enter without necessarily buying a number of issues of the magazine. I don’t really think it is appropriate either, but in reality the number of entries you will receive in this way is likely to be minuscule compared to the numbers entering by the normal competition route.

David Grills, County Antrim, Northern Ireland Ed - Many thanks for this, David. I will look into it. I believe there might also be a way round this by introducing an element of skill into the competition.