Millionaire Mansion competition broke ASA code

8 people complained about the deadline being extended.

The troubled Millionaire Mansion competition DID break a code of practice set by the Advertising Standards Authority. 

The competition launched in December 2017, and for a ticket costing £10.50, people were given the opportunity to win the £2.3million mansion, a Rolls Royce, stocked wine cellar, golf course, gardener and £50,000 in cash.

However, tickets didn't sell as quickly as anticipated, and the deadline was extended to November 2019.

8 people made complaints to the ASA about the extension.

In a ruling published today (Wednesday 3rd July) the authority has upheld those complaints, saying: "The CAP Code stated that closing dates must not be changed unless unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the promoter made it necessary, and either not to change the date would be unfair to those who sought to participate within the original terms, or those who sought to participate within the original terms would not be disadvantaged by the change."

The Authority says it has now told Ogilvie Promotions Ltd to ensure that, in any future competitions, closing dates were not changed unless unavoidable circumstances beyond the control of the promoter made it necessary.

The competition ended early last week and the house isn't being given away. Instead, one winner has been given £100,000 and 9 runners up awarded £10,000. The family say they had "no choice" and the promoters say the decision and prize is inline with the terms and conditions of the competition.