Small Society Lotteries

Registration of a Small Society Lottery

If you wish to apply for a first registration, you must make an application for a Small Society Lottery Registration under the Gambling Act 2005. The initial application fee is £40. The society must pay the annual fee to the local authority or the registration can be cancelled. The annual fee of £20 is due on the anniversary of the date of registration.

What is a Society Lottery?

Section 19 of the Act defines a society as non-commercial if it is established and conducted:

• For charitable purposes
• For the purpose of enabling participation or supporting a sporting/cultural event
• For other non commercial purposes that excludes private gain

The proceeds from one lottery must not exceed £20,000 or the total income from all the lotteries run by the organisation must not exceed £250,000 in a calendar year. If the operator plans to exceed these values they will be classified as a large lottery and must be licensed by the Gambling Commission.

How to Apply for a Small Society Lottery

• Fill in and complete the application form below
• The fee payable for the granting of a licence for the first time is £40.00
• Send the completed form to the Licensing team at the Council
• The Council then instigates a 28 day consultation period where the local police are consulted.
• If there are no representations to the application a lottery number and licence will be sent to the applicant which will need to be printed on all pre-printed tickets.
• A 'lottery return' form will need to be completed after each event and posted to the Council. This is to verify that the lottery was carried out in accordance with the issued licence and that the amount raised has not exceeded the permitted limits.
• The licence will then need to be renewed each year at the current fee of £20.00. No application form is required for a renewal application.

For further information about Small Society Lotteries and to access the application form please see below.

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