Winner Selection

This guide covers how to select raffle winners, available methods, and prize fulfillment.

Overview

Winners can be selected:

• Manually - Admin draws winners at any time
• Automatically - System draws when raffle ends (if enabled)

Manual Winner Selection

Where to Draw

Edit your raffle product → scroll down to Winner Selection metabox

Drawing Process

• Select Selection Method:

- Standard Random - Cryptographically Secure - Random.org (if API key configured)

• Click Draw Winners

• Confirm the selection

• Winners are displayed immediately

Selection Methods

Method	How It Works	Use Case
Standard Random	WordPress random function	Small raffles, quick draws
Cryptographically Secure	PHP's random_int()	High-stakes raffles
Random.org	True randomness from atmospheric noise	Provably fair public draws

Standard Random

• Uses wp_rand() function
• Perfectly adequate for most raffles
• Fastest method

Cryptographically Secure

• Uses random_int()
• Higher quality randomness
• Recommended for important draws

Random.org

• Requires API key (free tier available)
• True random numbers from physical phenomena
• Provides audit trail for verification
• Best for high-value or public raffles

Setup Random.org:

• Get free API key at random.org/api
• Enter in WooCommerce → Settings → Raffle

Automatic Winner Selection

Enable Auto Draw

• Edit raffle product
• Go to Raffle Settings tab
• Check Automatically select winners when raffle ends
• Save product

How It Works

• WP Cron checks hourly for ended raffles
• When raffle end time passes:

- System draws winners automatically - Uses cryptographically secure method - Sends winner notifications - Processes prize fulfillment

Requirements

• WordPress cron must be working
• Site must receive regular traffic, OR
• Real cron job configured on server

Prize Fulfillment

Custom Prize

When winner is selected:

• Winner notification email sent
• Admin sees winner in product page
• Manual fulfillment required

Product Prize

When winner is selected:

• System creates $0 order for winner
• Order contains prize product(s)
• Winner receives order notification
• Admin processes/ships order normally

Order details include:

• Note indicating it's a raffle prize
• Link to original raffle

Store Credit

When winner is selected:

• System checks for store credit plugin
• If available: creates store credit
• If not: creates coupon code
• Winner receives notification with credit/coupon details

Coupon features:

• One-time use
• Expires in 1 year
• Exact prize value

Multiple Winners

Prize Tiers

When multiple winners are configured:

• Each position can have different prizes
• 1st Prize, 2nd Prize, 3rd Prize, etc.
• System draws all winners at once
• Each receives appropriate prize

Configuration

• Set Number of Winners (e.g., 3)
• Configure prizes for each tier:

- 1st Prize: Select product or set custom - 2nd Prize: Different product or custom - 3rd Prize: And so on...

Order of Selection

• System randomly selects winner pool
• First selected = 1st Prize
• Second selected = 2nd Prize
• And so on...

No duplicate winners: Same ticket cannot win multiple positions.

Winner Display

Admin View

In product edit page:

• Winner Selection metabox shows all winners
• Ticket number, holder name, position
• Date selected
• Prize awarded

Frontend

After raffle ends, product page shows:

• Winner names
• Prize won
• Winning ticket numbers (optional based on privacy)

Winner Management

Redrawing Winners

Scenario: Winner is ineligible or declines

• Go to product edit page
• In Winner Selection metabox, click Clear & Redraw
• New winner(s) selected
• Previous selection logged

Note: Original winner notification already sent - handle appropriately.

Winner Records

All winner data stored:

• ID
• Raffle ID
• Ticket ID
• Position
• Prize Type
• Prize Details
• Notification status
• Fulfillment status
• Selection date

Notifications

Winner Email

Recipients receive:

• Congratulations message
• Prize details
• What happens next
• Contact information

Email Customization

Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Emails:

• Raffle Winner Notification
• Customize subject, heading, content
• Enable/disable email

Best Practices

Before Drawing

• ✅ Verify raffle is ended (or ready to end)
• ✅ Check all orders are completed
• ✅ Review ticket count is accurate
• ✅ Prepare for prize fulfillment

During Drawing

• Consider recording/streaming for transparency
• Use Random.org for high-profile draws
• Have witnesses if valuable prizes

After Drawing

• Send notifications promptly
• Process prize fulfillment
• Update website/social media
• Keep records for disputes

Troubleshooting

No Winners Selected

Check:

• Raffle has active tickets
• Raffle hasn't ended (if manual)
• Number of winners ≤ active tickets

Winner Not Notified

Check:

• Email address valid
• Email not in spam
• WooCommerce emails working
• Check email logs

Random.org Not Working

Check:

• API key is valid
• API quota not exceeded
• Internet connection stable