Lotteries

Lotteries are a form of gambling and as such those wishing to run them are required to ensure that children and other vulnerable people are not exploited by their lottery. Generally, the minimum age for participation in a lottery is 16 years of age, except for certain exempt lotteries such as incidental non-commercial lotteries, private, work and residents' lotteries.

Notes for guidance, registration application forms, return and scheme forms

A lottery is defined as an arrangement where people pay to participate for the chance of winning a prize, and will be defined as either simple or complex.

A simple lottery is where:

• persons are required to pay to participate
• one or more prizes are allocated to the participants
• prizes are allocated wholly by chance.

A complex lottery is where:

• persons are required to pay to participate
• one or more prizes are allocated to the participants
• the prizes are allocated by a series of processes
• the first of these processes relies wholly on chance.

The Gambling Commission has issued a code of practice for lotteries.
   

Types of Lottery

Please note that in the case of work, residents' or customer lotteries no profit may be made for any purpose, including worthy causes. If you are not sure whether your lottery falls into one of these categories, please read the relevant document on the Gambling Commission

Free draws and prize competitions

Free draws and prize competitions are free from statutory control under the Gambling Act 2005.

Generally, prize competitions are those in which success depends on the exercise of skill, judgement or knowledge by the participants and does not rely on chance, although some prediction schemes where success can be influenced by the use of skill or judgement may amount to betting. A free draw is one where there is no cost of entry for the participant.

Fees for Small Society Lottery registrations

The first annual fee of £20 under the new Act was due by no later than 1st January 2008. Annual fees are due within the two months prior to the anniversary of the registration. For registrations first issued under the previous legislation, the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976, before 1st September 2007, the annual fee is due between the start of November and the end of December each year.

National Lottery

The city council has no involvement in the regulation of the National Lottery, which is overseen by the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport through the National Lottery Commission

Data Protection

Please note that the licensing authority may be required by law to disclose to the appropriate authorities, from time to time, further information relating to applications and licences for the purposes of law enforcement and the prevention of fraud.

Notes for guidance, registration application forms, return and scheme forms