Lotteries and Amusements

Gambling Act 2005 -

The Small Society Lotteries (Registration of Non-Commercial Societies) Regulations 2007 allows any charity or similar organisation (established wholly or mainly for charitable purposes) to run a lottery or raffle where tickets are to be sold to the general public.

Before running such a lottery the organisation must first be registered with the District Council.

A fee is payable on registration and on the 1 January each year thereafter if the registration is to continue.

Whilst registered, organisations can hold as many lotteries as they want but must appoint a promoter for each one.

A number of conditions must be complied with when running a lottery and details of these conditions will be supplied to all applicants for registration.

A return showing the total proceeds of each lottery and how the money has been spent must be submitted to the Council within three months of each lottery. (Gambling Act 2005, Sch 11, part 4, 39(3)).

Subject to certain conditions it is not necessary to register with the Council to run a lottery where tickets are only sold at some form of entertainment (e.g. dance or fete) and the prize winners are drawn at the event, or where the tickets are only sold to members of one organisation not set up for the purposes of gaming, betting or lotteries or to persons who all work or reside on the same premises.

Permit Fees

• Registration Fee: £40
• Annual Renewal Fee: £20 (becomes due on 1st January each year)

Useful Links and Information

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