Concerns have emerged over the integrity of the GastroBeats “People’s Raffle” after it was revealed that brothers Tedric and Tedmond Koh secured 12 out of the 30 available prizes—despite event terms stating that each participant may only win once, and that vendor-linked individuals were not eligible.
GastroBeats is a popular annual lifestyle and food festival in Singapore, and the raffle is its headline giveaway initiative. This year’s edition included major prizes such as a BYD Atto 3 electric vehicle, flights from AirAsia, hotel stays, and dining vouchers.
The raffle, open to attendees who purchased S$3 Coca-Cola bottles at the event, attracted over 8,700 entries. However, once the list of winners was shared via Instagram, users quickly noted that the names Tedric Koh and Tedmond Koh appeared repeatedly.
In response to the questions, Tedric Koh commented on GastroBeats’ Instagram post on 25 June, writing, “Hi everyone, breaking the silence as one of the brothers. We purchased approximately 1/3 of all raffle tickets fairly. With that, winning approximately 1/3 of all prizes is expected. It’s a pity to see how some people jump to conclusions to think the worst of others. Cheers!”
His response, however, triggered further scrutiny. Social media users pointed to the raffle’s own terms and conditions, which under clause 2.3 state: “You may submit multiple entries and may only win one prize (even when entering together with others), unless the Campaign details clearly provide otherwise.”
What makes the situation even more questionable is that iClaw Taiwan’s machines dispensed Coca-Cola bottles at the price of S$1.50—the very items required to participate in the raffle—as prizes.
This arrangement suggests the company may have purchased the bottles and repurposed them in their machines, potentially blurring the lines between participant and vendor and raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
The raffle terms specifically prohibit “agents, distributors and other organisations commercially connected to the Promoter” from participating. This has led to suggestions that the brothers may have been ineligible to enter the draw at all.
Further questions have been raised over the broader distribution of prizes. Other prize recipients also appear to have ties to the event.
Callistus Ong, listed as managing director at DCS—GastroBeats’ official payment partner—won a Bearbrick collectible. Meanwhile, the BYD Atto 3 went to Hoo Chong Yong, reportedly co-owner of Mukshidonna, one of the food vendors at the festival.
A DCS spokesperson told Mothership that Ong “obtained her raffle tickets through legitimate means,” but deferred further explanation on the draw mechanics to GastroBeats.
A member of the public disclosed to TOC that he had flagged the issue to the organisers via Instagram on 23 June.
According to him, the organisers responded three days later, after several back-and-forth messages, stating: “Per GRA requirements, a third-party scrutineer from a professional audit company was hired to a) sight the T&Cs ahead of the day of the draw; and b) be physically present to witness the draw. All this was carried out to the scrutineer’s due satisfaction.
While this affirms procedural compliance, key questions remain unanswered. The organisers have not clarified whether vendor staff were considered “commercially connected” under the raffle’s exclusion clause. Nor have they explained how individual participants were able to win multiple prizes despite the stated limitations.
Some commentators expressed concern that nearly half of the prizes went to individuals potentially connected to festival vendors or sponsors, which they argue undermines the spirit of a “People’s Raffle.”
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