Lotteries and raffles

Small lotteries – raffle, tombola at a single event

If you would like to run a raffle or tombola at your fundraising event such AND tickets are only sold and the results declared at the event itself, then you will not need any kind of lottery license.  Standard cloakroom tickets can be used to represent the ‘chances’ sold.

However, if you are holding the event on public property (and also, in Scotland, on private property where the public have unrestricted access), then you will need to apply to your local council for a street collection license to be able to sell your lottery tickets. No money or alcohol should be awarded as prizes in your lottery.

Private lotteries – raffle at work, or within a society (not to general public)

There is no need for a lottery license should your group organise a raffle outside of a fundraising event but confine ticket sales to members of a particular club, society or group of people who live or work on the same premises. This is only permissible provided that the group has not been established for purposes connected to gambling. The organiser or ‘promoter’ of the private lottery should be a member of the group concerned. 

There is no specific board or body in existence to regulate private lotteries. However, do remember the following:

The price of all tickets must be the same
Each ticket must specify the name and address of the organiser (promoter), ActionAid’s name, registered charity number 274467 and the ticket price.
Each ticket must declare who is entitled to buy a ticket, and that prizes will only be awarded to the rightful winner.
Tickets cannot be sent through the post and can only be advertised at the point of sale.

Lotteries for the general public

If you would like to run a lottery which is unrelated to a fundraising event and open to all members of the public aged 16 or over, then you will need a ‘society lottery license’.

These are available from the Legal Department of your local authority and cost £35 initially and £17.50 to renew (costs subject to change). They need to be renewed annually, usually in January.

Raffle tickets should contain the following information:
In aid of ActionAid
Registered charity number 274467
Draw date
Price of ticket (which cannot exceed £1)
Promoter’s name and address
“Registered with ******* District Council”

A return will need to be made to the local authority after each raffle held, so you must ensure that adequate records are kept on sales, expenses and prizes. Your local authority will be able to give you detailed information on what records you should keep.

If the total value of tickets to be sold exceeds £20,000, please contact the Fundraising Events Team.

For more information and up to date legal advice you can visit the Gambling Commission on www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk or call them direct on 0121 230 6500.