Charities

You will need to register for a small society lottery licence if you would like to sell lottery tickets to raise money for the benefit of a non-commercial society.

The Society must be established and conducted for:

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

What you need to know before you register

• The cost of registering is £40 and the renewal cost is £20 per year.
• You need to register with the local authority for the area in which your principal office is situated.
• Ticket sales must not exceed £20,000.
• The aggregate proceeds from the lottery must not exceed £250,000 a calendar year.
• Up to 80% of the proceeds of ticket sales can be used for prizes and expenses.

Further Guidance, including what you must put on your tickets, is available from the Gambling Commission.

Small society lottery return form

The Gambling Act 2005 legislation requires you to submit a small society lottery return form no later than three months from the date of the last draw.

The return must be signed by two members of the Society appointed in writing for that purpose by the Society or its governing body and accompanied by a copy of the appointment.

All signatories must be over 18 years old. 

Complete a small society lottery return form