If you’ve ever dreamed of winning a lavish mansion through a raffle, you’re not alone.
But for Omaze, the company behind these high-end property draws, finding enough posh homes to give away has become a major challenge.
Californian entrepreneur Matthew Pohlson says the issue isn’t just scarcity — it’s the mix of strict planning rules and local opposition, often called “Nimbyism,” that makes securing the kind of properties fans expect increasingly difficult.
The ‘Omaze Curse’ Debunked
Despite headlines suggesting winners often struggle to maintain their new homes, Pohlson insists the so-called “Omaze curse” is overblown.
Winners receive a £250,000 cash allowance alongside their multi-million-pound properties, enough, he says, to cover running costs for seven to ten years.
He argues most sales happen simply because the homes are extremely valuable and can fetch eye-watering prices on the market.
How Omaze Got Started
Omaze began in the US in 2012, founded by Pohlson and his partner Ryan Cummins, inspired by the world of charity fundraisers for the ultra-wealthy.
They wanted to democratize the experience, giving ordinary people the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime prizes.
Early draws included everything from Lamborghinis blessed by the Pope to mentoring sessions with Michelle Obama.
After Cummins left the business in 2018, Pohlson focused on luxury homes in the UK, where home ownership captures the public imagination.
Charity at the Heart of the Business
Beyond the glitz, Omaze gives back heavily. Each draw guarantees £1million to charity, supporting organizations like the British Heart Foundation and local food banks.
Since launching in the UK in 2020, Omaze has raised £85million for good causes, even while its public accounts show the company running at a loss as it invests in properties to raffle.
The Challenge of Finding Dream Homes
Pohlson explains that Omaze searches through more than 1,000 potential properties each year, narrowing them down to a dozen final homes.
The selection is meticulous, involving interior designers and property lawyers.
But planning restrictions and odd local bylaws can eliminate even the most stunning properties — like a house that would have required owners to host an annual carnival for neighbors.
Why Winners Often Sell
Many winners end up selling their prize homes for practical reasons.
For example, 24-year-old Lauren Keene won a six-bedroom mansion in the Wirral along with £250,000, but decided to sell it after realizing the running costs and distance from her Gloucester home made it impractical.
Similarly, other winners, from widowed grandmothers to middle-aged parents, have opted to sell multi-million-pound properties because they prefer to be closer to family or find the homes too lavish to maintain.
Notable Winners and Their Stories
-
Patricia Moule, 81, won a £4million home in Perthshire but planned to sell it to provide a legacy for her family.
-
Tom Steenson, 63, won a £2million property in Exmouth, Devon, but put it on the market shortly after for £2.35million.
-
Chris Milnes, 60, won a dream home near Poole, Dorset, but sold it to spend more time with his grandchild in Australia.
-
Rachael Reid, 54, and her husband Darren sold their luxury Surrey bungalow to move back to Scotland near family and friends.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future
Faced with these challenges, Pohlson hints that Omaze may take matters into its own hands by building its own properties to ensure there are enough dream homes for future raffles.
“If we can’t find what ticket buyers want, we’ll have to get building,” he told The Telegraph.
Pohlson himself lives modestly in a central London flat near the company’s Holborn offices, rides Lime Bikes, and budgets carefully — a contrast to the multi-million-pound homes his company gives away.
He also noted that many entrants to the raffles are surprisingly affluent, with some even being celebrities.
