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Small society lotteries

Guidance and advice on running a small society lottery fund.

Overview

A small society lottery is promoted on behalf of a non-commercial society. A society is non-commercial if it is established and conducted:

  • for charitable purposes
  • for the purpose of enabling participation in, or of supporting, sport, athletics or cultural activity, or
  • for any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain.

Restrictions

The total value of tickets put on sale in a single lottery cannot exceed £20,000 and the aggregate value of tickets put on sale in a calendar year cannot exceed £250,000. If these limits are exceeded the lottery will be a large society lottery and a licence will be required from the Gambling Commission.

How to apply

You can apply below for a small society lottery licence. Please make sure you read our guidance first.

Small Society Lotteries Guidance [44KB]

Every Society registered with a local Licensing Authority to run Small Society Lotteries must submit a returns form following each draw.

Financial return form [66KB]

Renewing your application

If you need to renew your application please complete the following form.