Majorca mayor demands investigation into Omaze £3m holiday villa prize
A local mayor has demanded an investigation into an Omaze draw which gave away a £3 million Spanish holiday villa as a prize.
Police and regional government officials on the island of Majorca were asked to probe the draw before it emerged last week dad-of-two Graham Dunlop had won the mansion.
Now Joan Rotger, the right-wing mayor of Selva near the stunning property now owned by Edinburgh-born businessman Mr Dunlop and his primary school teacher wife Amanda, says he will continue his campaign to get answers about the legality of the Omaze offer.
He secured the promise of a probe after questioning the fact the draw was only open to UK residents. In a written request sent to a central government delegation in the Balearic Islands before Mr Dunlop was announced as the winner of Omaze’s latest property draw, Mr Rotger demanded officials study whether it complied with Spanish law.
He was told police and regional government bosses had been asked to look into his complaint. Mr Rotger said overnight he would reiterate his calls for a proper inquiry into the Omaze draw following its recent conclusion. The mayor claimed local residents in Selva, a picturesque town at the foot of the Tramontana Mountain range, were “worried”. The politician, who represents the conservative People’s Party, told news outlet Diario de Mallorca he fears draws of this sort could affect house prices: “What would happen if this type of draw was repeated a thousand times with other houses?”
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Complaining local residents and other non UK-residents had been excluded, he pledged: “No-one has properly answered my concerns yet but I will be reiterating them and seeking answers to the issues I’ve raised.” A Majorcan-based National Police Gaming Control Service had been asked to look into Mr Rotger’s concerns along with regional government business and gaming officials.
The swimming pool at the property in Majorca (OMAZE / SWNS)It was not immediately clear this morning whether they have begun to study the Omaze draw’s compliance with Spanish law and what conclusions they have reached. IT worker Mr Dunlop revealed last week he was inspired to enter the Omaze draw that ended with him winning his Majorcan home by a woman who sold him a second-hand armchair.
He told how he went to collect the battered leather chair after buying it online - and was told by its seller he could have had it for free if he donated to Alzheimer’s Research UK. He made his donation but then decided to enter the Omaze prize draw after spotting it was supporting the charity.
Graham, who has lived in his current four-bed house near Southampton with wife-of-15 years Amanda and their two teenage children since 2014, explained: “'The reason I entered the draw is quite random really, I'd been after an armchair for my home office for a while and one popped up on Gumtree.
A local major wants an inquiry into the Omaze draw (OMAZE / SWNS)“I went to pick it up but when we arrived the woman refused to take any money for it. Instead, she asked that we put something towards an Alzheimer's charity, as her late husband had dementia. So I made a donation to Alzheimer's Research UK, then saw that they'd also partnered with Omaze, so I bought an entry to the Superdraw on top.
“I didn't give it a second thought and had totally forgotten I'd even entered. My wife didn't like the look of my lucky chair at first, but of course she absolutely loves it now! You could say my £3 million pound prize cost me an armchair and a leg! I'll bring the chair out here for sure, although it might look a bit odd next to the pool.”
He also admitted he had forgotten he had entered the draw before Omaze first contacted him to tell him he’d won a prize. He said of the villa, which is between Selva and the village of Caimari: "It’s simply stunning, I love the design of the place and the views are spectacular.
The spectacular inside of the Spanish villa (OMAZE / SWNS)“I just can't believe it's all ours - even if I jumped in the pool I don't think it would sink in! We love Spain but never dreamed we'd ever own a place here - especially one like this! I might have to work on my Spanish a bit - although I can order a cerveza with no problems.”
American founded company Omaze has become famous for offering up extravagant homes across the UK as prizes in raffle-style draws. It defines itself as a for-profit, social impact company which launched in the UK in 2020 following its 2012 founding in the States.
In written evidence submitted to a UK government inquiry into gambling regulation, Omaze has stated in the past: “Omaze is a regulated prize draw. This means that, in line with the provisions of the Act, our draws are not gambling and are therefore not regulated by the Act’s provisions beyond those for regulated prize draws.”
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An Omaze spokesperson said: “The Omaze Mallorca Superdraw is entirely compliant with all local, national and international laws and regulations. Omaze takes extensive, expert legal advice before launching any of its draws or competitions - the Mallorca Superdraw is wholly legitimate and compliant. Omaze has not received any complaints, enquiries or communications whatsoever from any Regulator or Authority concerning the draw. Omaze raises vital funds for good causes and is very proud to have raised £3,100,000 for its charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK with this Mallorca Superdraw - bringing the total raised for the charity by Omaze to £4,100,000.”
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