Frequently asked questions
Short, honest answers about fairness, privacy, importing lists and running a smooth draw.
How long does a draw take, and can I change it?
You choose the spin length under Customize, Draw: 5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 30 or 45 seconds, or 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 or 5 minutes. That is the actual time from pressing Draw to the reel stopping, and a countdown shows what is left. Under 10 seconds the reel speeds up, peaks and slows to a stop. Longer spins go straight to peak speed, vary between medium and peak in the pattern you pick, and slow down smoothly over the last 5 to 10 seconds.
Is this random name picker really random?
Yes. Every draw uses your browser's cryptographically secure random number generator (crypto.getRandomValues) combined with rejection sampling, so each eligible entry has exactly the same chance. Nothing is weighted and nothing is decided on a server.
Are my names or files uploaded anywhere?
No. Excel, CSV and pasted lists are read and drawn entirely inside your browser and are never sent to us. If "Remember my list" is on, your list is saved in your browser's own storage so a refresh does not lose your raffle. You can switch that off or clear it under Customize, Data.
Can the same person be drawn twice?
Not within one raffle. Once someone is drawn they move to the Winners list and cannot be drawn again unless you put them back in the pool. If you want repeat wins, use "Put all winners back in the pool" or add them again.
What if the winner is not present?
Use Redraw. The absent winner goes back into the pool and a replacement is drawn immediately. The person who was just put back is excluded from that one redraw so you do not draw them again straight away.
Can I give some people more chances?
Yes. Each row is one entry, so a name listed three times has three chances. Paste or import the name as many times as you want to grant entries, or add entrants one by one.
Which files can I import?
Excel (.xlsx, .xls, .xlsm, .ods), CSV, TSV and plain text (.txt). You can also paste names or whole rows copied from a spreadsheet. The first column is treated as the name and other columns are kept as details.
Does it work offline?
After your first visit, the page and app files are cached, so the tool opens without a connection. CSV, text and pasted lists always work offline. The Excel reader and confetti are downloaded the first time you use them, so use them once online and they stay available.
How many names can it handle?
Thousands. Lists are rendered in pages of 100 so the interface stays fast, and the draw itself is instant. Files up to 25 MB are accepted.
Can I use it on a projector or shared screen?
Yes. Stage mode (press F) shows the slot machine full screen with oversized cards and hides everything else. Press Space to draw and Esc to leave.
How do I split people into teams?
Open Teams from the stage or press T. Choose a number of teams or a number of people per team and the tool shuffles everyone into balanced groups. Reshuffle as often as you like, then copy or download the result.
Is it free? How do you pay for it?
It is free to use with no account. The site may show Google AdSense ads on content pages to cover costs. Ads never appear on the draw stage, in pop-ups or beside the results, and you can turn off ad cookies at any time.
Can I use the results for a legal lottery or a regulated promotion?
The tool picks entries fairly, but it is not legal advice and is not a licensed lottery system. Raffles, sweepstakes and promotions are regulated in many places, so check the rules that apply to you before running one.
How do I report a problem or suggest a feature?
Use the contact page and tell us your browser, what you expected and what happened. Feature ideas are welcome.
Can't find your answer? Get in touch.