How Do They Pick Crossword Prize Winners?

[Arrods]

In the old days I guess winners were picked out of a pile of envelopes.  Today, there can be several ways of entering.  For example, with the DM cryptic there are 4 ways - phone, text, letter or online. Is there a system that ensures each entry has an equal chance of winning?  Somehow I doubt it as the admin could be a nightmare.  What do you reckon?

[barry1010]

My guess is that each entry is assigned a number. A computer randomised is used to pick a number.

Equal chance of winning regardless of how you enter

[Lie-in King]

You had a few answers 9 years ago -

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Crosswords/Question1434739.html

The link in the last post goes to another thread; the final post there gives a reply from the Mail On Sunday.

I'm sure I've seen similar to Barry's reply somewhere.

[Arrods]

Thanks lie-in-king. You can't really expect me to remember things years ago let alone yesterday!

in fact I did do a search on Answerbank before I posted but I must have used the wrong words. 
 

Thanks again. 

[Arrods]

I think I got my second sentence back to front.  Has it started? :-)

[Lie-in King]

You're welcome, Arrods.

I think the selection system must be fair, or some watchdog or other would've had something to say before now.

[Lie-in King]

^^ 😂

[jazzyjen]

I used to win the Daily Mail prize crossword regularly(about three times a year)when entering by post. Then we went online with them about 10 years ago. I haven't won since!