In this guide, we explain how each prize distribution method works, when to use it, and how to design a Spin the Wheel prize strategy that fits your campaign.
Two ways to award prizes in a Spin the Wheel promotion
In a Spin the Wheel promotion, there are two main ways to distribute prizes: awarding prizes by probability or using an Instant Win mechanic. These two approaches can also be combined within the same campaign, depending on how you want to control prize distribution.
The key difference lies in how and when prizes are assigned. With probability-based distribution, each spin has a predefined chance of landing on a prize. With Instant Win, prizes are scheduled in advance and awarded at specific moments.
Understanding how these two methods work is essential to designing a prize strategy that matches your campaign goals, whether you want to maximize participation, control prize stock, or create specific moments of impact.
Award prizes by probability
With this option, each segment of the wheel has an assigned probability of being selected. Every time a user spins the wheel, the result is calculated based on these probabilities.
This approach is useful when you want to distribute a large number of prizes in a balanced and predictable way. For example, if your wheel includes both prizes and empty slots, you can define the exact chances of winning for each spin.
Imagine a wheel with 20 segments, where 14 contain prizes and 6 are empty. In this case, each participant has a 70% chance of winning something. This allows you to control the overall experience while ensuring that prizes are distributed consistently across all participants.
This type of setup works well when:
- you have many prizes available, such as discounts, small gifts, or promotional items
- you want a high percentage of participants to win
- you are less concerned about when each prize is awarded
To increase engagement, you can also include segments such as “Try again,” which allow users to spin the wheel more than once and extend interaction with the campaign.
Pobability-based prize distribution is configured directly within the Spin the Wheel setup by assigning probabilities to each segment. This gives you control over the winning rate while keeping the experience simple for participants.
Want to create even more excitement with your prize wheel? Add “Try again” segments to allow participants to spin the wheel again. Try a demo with this feature used by a shopping center.
Award prizes with Instant Win
With the Instant Win mechanic, prizes are not awarded based only on probability. Instead, each prize is assigned to a specific winning moment, and users can only win if they participate at that exact time.
From the participant’s perspective, the experience remains seamless. They spin the wheel and instantly see the result. Behind the scenes, the system determines whether the prize is awarded based on the predefined schedule.
This approach is useful when you need precise control over how many prizes are distributed and when they are awarded. For example, you can ensure that high-value prizes are not all claimed early in the campaign, and instead remain available throughout its duration.
Instant Win works especially well when:
- you have a limited number of prizes
- you want to distribute prizes evenly over time
- you need to control when prizes can be won, for example during business hours or specific campaign moments
With Easypromos, this control is managed through the Instant Prize Scheduler. This tool allows you to generate Instant Wins in bulk and define how they are distributed across the campaign period. You can assign prizes randomly within a date range or distribute them evenly per hour, day, or week. You can also restrict prize availability to specific days or time slots, which is especially useful for campaigns linked to store hours or timed promotions.
This level of configuration ensures that prizes are delivered consistently, prevents early depletion of rewards, and helps maintain engagement from the beginning to the end of the campaign.
How to choose the best way to award prizes
Choosing between probability and Instant Win depends on your campaign goals, the number of prizes available, and how much control you need over distribution.
If your goal is to maximize participation and create a high winning rate, probability-based distribution is usually the best option. It allows you to offer frequent rewards and keep the experience simple and dynamic, especially when you have a large volume of prizes such as discounts or small gifts.
If you need to control how prizes are distributed over time, Instant Win is the better choice. By assigning prizes to specific winning moments, you can ensure that rewards are delivered consistently throughout the campaign and avoid running out of prizes too early.
As a general guideline:
- use probability when you want many participants to win and you have sufficient prize stock
- use Instant Win when you need to limit the number of winners and control when prizes are awarded
There are also practical scenarios to consider. If you expect more participants than available prizes, Instant Win helps regulate distribution and prevents early depletion. If you expect fewer participants than prizes, probability allows you to maintain a high winning rate and a more rewarding experience.
In many cases, the most effective strategy is to combine both approaches. For example, you can use probability to distribute smaller prizes while reserving high-value rewards for controlled distribution using Instant Win or a final random draw. This allows you to balance engagement with control and create different levels of reward within the same campaign.
How to time your prize distribution for maximum impact
Beyond choosing how prizes are awarded, it is also important to decide when key rewards should be available during the campaign.
For standard prizes, both probability and Instant Win already allow you to distribute rewards across the campaign. However, high-value prizes often require additional control to ensure they have maximum impact.
One common approach is to delay the availability of major prizes. This ensures that early participants do not claim the most valuable rewards and helps maintain interest throughout the campaign. For example, you can configure a prize so that it only becomes available after a specific date, while the rest of the prizes are distributed normally.
Another option is to separate the grand prize from the Spin the Wheel mechanic entirely. In this case, all participants who register for the promotion can be entered into a final random draw once the campaign ends. You can also limit this draw to specific users, such as those who did not win during the main interaction.
This approach works well when you want to:
- keep participants engaged until the end of the campaign
- offer a high-value incentive without affecting the main prize distribution
- create a final moment of visibility when announcing winners
With Easypromos, prizes can be configured to be awarded in different ways. In a Spin the Wheel promotion, the most common options are awarding prizes by probability or using Instant Win. You can also choose to award certain prizes through a separate random draw, either among all participants or only those who did not win during the campaign. This allows you to combine immediate rewards with delayed incentives and create a more balanced prize strategy.
Making sure the prize wheel doesn’t run out of rewards
If your Spin the Wheel promotion runs out of prizes, the game can remain active, but participants will stop winning rewards.
To avoid this, you should keep an eye on prize availability throughout the campaign. If you are using probability-based distribution, prizes may be awarded faster than expected, especially with high participation.
If you need more control, Instant Win allows you to regulate how prizes are distributed over time and avoid early depletion.
We recommend monitoring prize stock regularly and adjusting the campaign if needed to maintain a consistent experience for participants.
Read the Spin the Wheel tutorial for more detailed tips
Spin the Wheel Giveaway examples
Spin the Wheel promotions are widely used because they are visual, interactive, and easy to understand for participants.
Below are some common formats that can help you decide how to structure your campaign depending on your objectives.
Want to see real campaigns in action? Explore our collection of Spin the Wheel promotion examples created with Easypromos.
Give away a few prizes over several days
If you want to distribute coupons or discounts over time, you can set them up as Instant Win rewards within a Spin the Wheel promotion.
This setup allows you to control how often prizes are awarded. For example, you can configure a fixed number of rewards per day and spread them across the campaign.
A typical use case is a bar or restaurant running a promotion over several days. In the example below, an Irish pub celebrating St. Patrick’s Day awarded a limited number of vouchers each day, such as free drinks or menu items, ensuring that rewards were available throughout the event.
This type of distribution is useful when you want to maintain a steady flow of rewards and keep participants engaged over multiple days.
Spin the Wheel games with extra entry requirements
Another common approach is to restrict access to the Spin the Wheel through an additional requirement, such as making a purchase, uploading a receipt, or entering a unique code. This limits participation and helps control how prizes are distributed.
This setup is especially useful for campaigns linked to sales or in-store activity. In the example below, a restaurant offered customers a code on their receipt that unlocked access to a prize wheel with discounts or rewards. This encourages repeat visits while ensuring that only verified customers participate.
This type of promotion works well for longer campaigns, where participation builds gradually over time. Depending on the number of prizes and expected participants, you can combine this approach with probability or Instant Win to control distribution.
Ready to define your Spin the Wheel prize strategy?
Choosing the right prize distribution method is key to running a successful Spin the Wheel promotion. By combining probability, Instant Win, and controlled prize distribution, you can design a campaign that balances engagement with full control over rewards.
With Easypromos, you can configure and manage your prize strategy from a single platform. If you have questions, our support team can help you choose the best setup for your promotion.
