Hi Nev, Like the MOd said "Licence is not required" The best advice is to check out your competition with Icstis (now) www.Phonepayplus. They have tons of rules and regulations that you should not run against. Also the Gambling Commisions website is a guide to how things should be set-up. Its all a little daunting at first -- but dont let this put you off from pursueing your goal. Rules can be agreed with and almost all (legal) activities catered for. The biggest drawback is anything temotely connected or percieved as a 'Lottery'. In simple terms a lottery is where people pay to enter a game of chance. To run such a lottery is out of the question. To make this lottery legal however you simply have to make it FREE to Enter. or  provide an alternative rout to paying to enter. For instance you could use sms reverse billing to enter -- but beneath the entry you must state there is a FREE rout of entry being; say' "send your written entry with 2 (unused) first class stamps to the (office address). Now most people will prefere to pay by reverse billed sms as its simple and easier than ngoing to a Post Office for 3 first class stamps and a couple of envelopes -- then return home and complete their entry and wobble off to a letter box to post everything off to you. 3 first class stamps cost 90pence plus all that leg-work --So what would Mr Average do? Pay my moby I reckon. If I can help further --I will.

hello

just wanting to find out as i am wanting to start a sms competition and/or auction service, want to find out what is required for this do i need any special license or anything and do i get to pick the prize for the winner and am i able to set the price for each text

thx nev