How to Set Up a Streaming Giveaway With OBS and a Wheel Spinner
Live giveaways are one of the best ways to boost engagement on a stream — and doing the draw on-screen with a wheel spinner makes the whole process feel exciting and transparent to your viewers.
Why do the draw live
Announcing a winner after the stream ends invites doubt. Spinning a wheel live, in front of chat, removes that entirely — everyone watches the same random result happen in real time.
Step 1: Prepare your entrant list
Pull your eligible entries together before you go live — for example, a list of chat usernames who used a specific command or commented on a post. Clean the list of duplicates ahead of time so you're not editing it live.
Step 2: Generate an OBS-ready link
Most modern wheel spinners can generate a clean embed link — a URL with no navigation or clutter, just the wheel itself — designed specifically to be dropped into OBS as a Browser Source.
Step 3: Add it as a Browser Source
In OBS, click the + under Sources, choose Browser, and paste your wheel's link into the URL field. Set the width and height to roughly match a square wheel (for example 480×620), then position it in your scene.
Step 4: Control it from a second tab
Open the same link in a normal browser tab so you can edit entries and press Spin — OBS mirrors whatever happens on that page live on stream.
Step 5: Keep it visually clean
A dark, simple wheel design tends to read best over stream overlays. Avoid overly busy backgrounds that compete with your webcam or game capture.
Bonus tip
Test the whole setup before you go live — spin it a few times off-stream to confirm the browser source updates correctly and the layout fits your scene.
Before you go live: a preparation checklist
A smooth on-stream draw starts well before you press Start Streaming. Set aside fifteen minutes to work through the following, ideally in a private test recording.
- Finalise the entrants. Close entries, clean the list, and remove duplicates, bots and ineligible accounts.
- Write the rules. Put them in your stream description and chat: how to enter, deadline, number of winners, how winners are contacted and the reply deadline.
- Test your scene. Add the wheel source, do a test spin, and check that the text is readable on stream at the resolution viewers see.
- Test the audio. Spin sounds can be loud. Check levels against your voice and game audio.
- Prepare a backup. Know what you will do if the browser source fails, such as opening the wheel in a normal window and sharing it.
Designing the on-screen look
The wheel should be clear but not dominate your scene. Use high-contrast colours and short labels. If you have many entrants, remember that names will be small; you can show the winner in a large popup after the spin. Match the colours to your channel branding for a professional look. The OBS Wheel Studio page is where you prepare the wheel and generate the link used in your streaming software.
Running the draw on stream
- Announce that the draw is about to start and remind viewers of the rules.
- Read out the number of eligible entries.
- Switch to the wheel scene and spin once, without cutting or editing.
- Read the winner's name clearly, spelling out unusual usernames.
- Explain how and by when they need to respond. Say you will spin again if there is no reply.
Handling chat and questions
Expect comments like "rigged!" and "spin again!" from a few viewers. Stay calm and point to the rules. You may explain that the winner is chosen by a secure random generator in the browser before the animation, and share the Randomness Audit for anyone who wants to check the distribution. Moderators can help by pinning the rules and answering common questions so you can concentrate on the draw.
After the stream
- Post the winner announcement and a clip or screenshot of the spin.
- Contact the winner through the channel they used to enter, and never ask for payments or passwords.
- Deliver the prize promptly, and share proof if the winner agrees.
- Keep the entry list and result for your records in case of disputes.
Platform rules and law
Streaming platforms and social networks set their own rules for giveaways and promotions, and laws on prize draws differ between countries. Read your platform's current terms, check your local requirements, and if the prize is valuable, consider professional advice. This guide is general information and not legal advice.
Making draws a regular feature
Some streamers run a small draw at the end of every stream to reward viewers who stay. If you do, keep the process consistent, so your audience learns it and trusts it. Rotate prize types, use a consistent rule for entry, and always show the wheel spin. Also see our general guide on running a fair giveaway for rules and record-keeping tips, and the Giveaway Wheel if you want to run a simple draw without OBS.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work with Streamlabs or other software?
Any streaming software that supports a browser source can display the wheel in the same way. The steps are similar in each program.
What if the wheel does not load on stream?
Refresh the browser source, check your internet connection, and use your backup plan of showing the wheel in a normal browser window.