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Registration of non-commercial society

Charities, clubs and non-commercial organisations wishing to run small lotteries to raise funds for their activities will need to register with the local authority for the area in which the head office of the society are situated in Southwark.

Legislation summary

View the Gambling Act 2005.

Eligibility criteria

Small lotteries can be used to raise up to £250,000 per calendar year, with a limit on the proceeds from each individual lottery of £20,000.

Applying for a new registration

 Apply for a new registration

The initial registration fee is £40, with an annual fee of £20 payable in each subsequent year that the registration is in force.

Restrictions on small lotteries

To be classified as a 'small' lottery, each draw must meet the following requirements:

  • the proceeds from a single lottery must not exceed £20,000
  • the aggregate proceeds from lotteries promoted in a calendar year must not exceed £250,000
  • at least 20% of the proceeds of every lottery must be used for a purpose for which the promoting society is established and conducted

Prizes

The maximum value of any prize allowed in a small society lottery is £25,000. This limit applies to both cash prizes and the value of any goods or services offered as a prize.

Unclaimed prizes can be 'rolled over' to future lotteries run by the same society, providing that the prize limit is not breached.

Tickets

Every ticket sold in a lottery must be the same price, and the buyer must be given a document that identifies the promoting society, the price of the ticket, the name and address of a person responsible for the lottery, and the draw date(s).

Lottery tickets may only be sold by persons over the age of 16, to persons over the age of 16.

Filing of records

After promoting a lottery, the registered society must return details of that lottery to the local authority within three months of the date of the draw (or last draw). The details required include:

  • details of the arrangements for the lottery including the date(s) on which tickets were sold, the dates of any draw(s) and the arrangements for prizes (including any rollover)
  • the proceeds of the lottery
  • the amounts deducted in respect of the provision of prizes
  • the amounts deducted in respect of other costs incurred in organising the lottery
  • any amount applied to a purpose for which the promoting society is conducted
  • details of any expenses that were paid for other than by deduction from the proceeds

You can use the form (docx, 29kb) to return these details.

Every completed return must be signed by two directors, trustees or members who have been nominated by the society. A written document confirming this nomination (eg minutes from an AGM) should be supplied with the return.

Public register

The council maintains a public register listing all of the societies registered for the promotion of small society lotteries

Failed application redress

Any person who is refused a registration can appeal to the Magistrates Court.

Licence holder redress

Any registration holder who objects to any of the conditions attached to a registration may appeal to the Magistrates Court.

Fees

View the Gambling Act fees (PDF, 144kb)

If you're experiencing any issues applying for a licence or if you have any questions, contact us on licensing@southwark.gov.uk

Page last updated: 17 December 2020

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