How to run a public raffle or small society lottery

Overview of a Small Society Lottery

A Small Society Lottery can be a great way to raise money for your club or organization. It is run by the group itself, and all proceeds must be used to further its cause. Unlike some lotteries, it does not generate profits; instead, it furthers the work of the association.

Tickets can be sold and prizes awarded without needing permission from the Gambling Commission, meaning that everyone involved in the lottery will have a stake in helping ensure its success.

Registering a Small Society Lottery

Registering your small society lottery is an important but straightforward process. To get started, begin by using GOV.UK to locate your local council and contact the licensing authority for information on what forms you must fill out and what fees must be paid. For the first year, you need to pay a registration fee of £40 with a subsequent £20 renewal fee each year afterwards. It is important to adhere to the regulations to avoid potential fines or closure of operations! So make sure you take care of this necessary step as soon as possible so that your lottery can be available to the public by all of the rules and regulations.

Who Can Buy Tickets?

You can sell tickets to people aged 16 and over.

Ticket Requirements

Your tickets must show:

• The name of your society
• The ticket price, which must be the same for all tickets
• The name and address of the organiser, or, if you are using them, the name of the External Lottery Manager
• The date of the draw, or information which enables the date to be determined.

Claiming Costs

You can claim costs for prizes and expenses up to the value of 80% of ticket sales.

Rules for Small Society Lotteries

There are rules around small society lotteries that you must follow. These are as follows:

• At least 20% of the lottery proceeds must be applied to the purposes of the society (the ‘good cause’)
• No single prize may be worth more than £25,000, even if it is donated
• You cannot sell more than £20,000 of tickets in a single lottery, or £250,000 in any one year
• You can roll over prizes to another lottery run by your society, but that prize cannot be worth more than £25,000
• Every ticket in the lottery must cost the same and the society must take payment for the ticket fee before entry into the draw is allowed
• You can sell tickets door to door, online, by telephone or face to face, but you cannot sell tickets in a street (including passages through shopping malls)
• You must send details of your lottery to the local authority it is registered with, no later than three months after the lottery is drawn. The local authority will have a specific form to use for this.

Using an External Lottery Manager

You can use an External Lottery Manager (ELM) to run your lottery. An ELM is a person or organisation that supplies a system for running the lottery, such as selling tickets online and operating prize draws. To use an ELM, they must first be registered with your local authority. You’ll also need to show that you have control over how the lottery is run.

Advertising Your Lottery

You must responsibly advertise your lottery, ensuring it’s clear who has organised it and who benefits from any proceeds. You cannot offer prizes or donations in exchange for buying tickets or make any false or misleading claims.

Staying Compliant

It’s important to stay compliant with all the regulations and laws governing small society lotteries. It’s also a good idea to seek professional advice if you are unsure of any aspect of running a small society lottery.

By understanding and following the rules and regulations around small society lotteries, you can ensure your lottery is run in an ethical and compliant manner and provide a successful source of income for your good cause. Good luck!

_{Please remember that the above is only guidance and Stubbs Tickets will not be held responsible for any actions or decisions taken based on it.}