Raffle Compliance Checklist

Raffle compliance under the Gambling Act 2005 spans three phases: before tickets go on sale, during the sales and draw period, and after the draw is complete. The requirements depend on the type of raffle being run. This checklist covers the obligations for each phase, organised by raffle type, and highlights the mistakes that most commonly lead to compliance issues.

Before the Raffle

Determine the raffle type

The first compliance step is identifying which category of lottery applies. The answer determines every obligation that follows — registration, ticket content, sales rules, and reporting. The three most common types for community organisations are:

• Incidental lottery — tickets sold and drawn at an event. No registration. No licence. See Raffles Without a Licence.
• Small society lottery — tickets sold in advance by a registered non-commercial society. Local authority registration required. See Small Society Lotteries.
• Private lottery — restricted to members of a society, workplace, or residential premises. No registration. No licence.

For a full comparison of all types, see Raffle Types.

Registration (small society lottery only)

Societies that are already registered should confirm their registration is current and the annual renewal (£20) has been paid.

Appoint a promoter (small society lottery)

A named individual must be authorised by the society's governing body to act as the promoter for each draw. The promoter's name and postal address will appear on every ticket. The promoter takes personal legal responsibility for the lottery's compliance.

Specify the tickets

Before ordering tickets, confirm the specification includes all mandatory information for the raffle type:

Small society lottery — mandatory on every ticket:

• Society name (matching the registered name exactly)
• Ticket price (uniform — all tickets the same price)
• Promoter's name and postal address
• Draw date (specific date or sufficiently descriptive wording)

Incidental lottery — no statutory requirements, but include:

• Unique sequential number on each ticket and stub
• Event name and date
• Ticket price

Private lottery — mandatory:

• Statement that it is a private lottery
• Name of the society, workplace, or premises

Full specification details are in Ticket Requirements.

Confirm financial limits

Small society lottery:

Incidental lottery:

During the Raffle

Ticket sales

All raffle types:

• Do not sell tickets to anyone under 16. Sellers must take reasonable steps to verify age.
• Do not sell tickets for more than the printed face price.
• Record the number of tickets distributed to each seller and the quantity returned unsold.

Small society lottery specific:

• All tickets must be sold at the same price. No bundle discounts, no multi-buy offers.
• Tickets may be sold in person and by post. Online sales require a remote lottery operating licence from the Gambling Commission.
• Keep a record of total tickets sold and total cash received. Reconcile regularly.

Incidental lottery specific:

• Tickets must be sold at the event only. No advance sales.
• Variable pricing and bundle offers are permitted.
• No online sales.

Private lottery specific:

• Tickets may only be sold to eligible members, workers, or residents.
• No advertising outside the eligible group.

Cash and payment handling

• Assign each seller a starting float and a secure method for storing cash.
• For card payments, record the total separately from cash.
• Reconcile total tickets sold against total payments received after the sales period ends.
• In practice, two people should be involved in handling and counting cash — the promoter and at least one other authorised person.

Record keeping during sales

Maintain records of:

• total tickets printed
• total tickets distributed to sellers
• total tickets sold (by seller, where practical)
• total tickets unsold and returned
• total cash and card payments received
• any tickets voided, damaged, or otherwise removed from sale

These records form the basis of the return submitted to the local authority after the draw.

The Draw

Conducting the draw

• Use a fair, transparent method: hat or tub draw, tombola drum, or random number generator.
• Have at least two independent witnesses present — individuals who are not members of the organising committee and have no personal interest in the outcome.
• Record the draw. Video is ideal; a written log signed by witnesses is the minimum.
• Draw tickets one at a time. Announce each winning number clearly. Verify the winning ticket against the stub.

Recording the results

For each prize drawn, record:

• the winning ticket number
• the name of the winner (from the stub)
• the prize awarded
• whether the prize was collected at the event or is pending collection

Announcing results

• Incidental lottery: Results must be announced at the event. Display the winning numbers or announce them via PA.
• Small society lottery: There is no statutory requirement for how results are announced, but the society should have a clear process for notifying winners — particularly if winners are not present at the draw.

After the Draw

Submit the return (small society lottery)

The return must be submitted to the local authority within three months of the draw date. It must include:

The return must be signed by two authorised members of the society. Keep a copy of the submitted return.

Prize collection and unclaimed prizes

• Contact winners who did not collect their prize at the draw. Use the contact details from the ticket stub.
• Allow a reasonable collection period — 28 to 30 days is standard.
• If a prize remains unclaimed after the collection period, follow the society's terms and conditions (re-draw, retain for society, or return to donor).
• Record all unclaimed prizes and the action taken.

For full guidance, see Unclaimed Prizes.

Retain records

All records must be kept for a minimum of three years from the date of the draw:

• ticket stubs and counterfoils
• financial records (income, prizes, expenses)
• draw records (winning numbers, winners, witnesses)
• copies of returns submitted
• correspondence with the local authority

The local authority has the power to inspect these records at any time during the retention period.

Financial reconciliation

• Reconcile total tickets sold against total cash and card payments received.
• Reconcile expenses against receipts.
• Bank the net proceeds and report the outcome to the society's governing body.
• Ensure the 20% minimum to good causes has been met (small society lottery).

Common Compliance Mistakes

For the full legal framework underpinning these obligations, see UK Raffle Law.

Questions about raffle compliance? See our help centre.

Last reviewed: February 2026