Lotteries

A Small Society Lottery is a lottery that is promoted on behalf of a non-commercial society (such a charity or similar non-profit making organisation) to raise funds for any of the purposes for which the society or organisation is set up.

Small Society Lotteries

The Gambling Act 2005 replaced The Lotteries and Amusement Act 1976. The Act sets out a definition of a Lottery and provides that promoting of and facilitating a lottery is illegal, unless it falls into one of two categories of permitted lotteries, that is:

Licensed Lotteries; and
Exempt lotteries

Licensed Lotteries are large society lotteries regulated by the Gambling Commission. There are four types of exempt lotteries including Small Society Lotteries. These lotteries are run under registration with a local authority, and are able to sell lottery tickets without being licensed by the Gambling Commission. For further information on other exempt lotteries and guidance on small society lotteries please refer to Related Documents below.

Small Society Lottery Registration

A Society must be non-commercial. A society is defined as 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
For any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain

To remain a Small Society the total value of tickets sold must not exceed £20,000 in a single lottery, or tickets in separate lotteries in one calendar year must not exceed £250,000. If you exceed these amounts you will be classed as a Large Lottery and will be required to apply for a licence from by the Gambling Commission.

The following fees will apply:

Registration of a Small Society Lottery - £40.00
Annual renewal of a registration - £20.00

New Small Society Lottery Registrations run for a year from the date of issue, you will be notified before the expiry date inviting you to continue the registration.

Once you have held the Lottery/Draw you will need to complete a Returns Form and submit it to the Licensing Section. The following documentation is available to download from Related Documents below.

Application to Register Small Society Lottery
Lottery return Form
Guidance for small societies promoting lotteries

Further Information

If you require any further information or advice about Small Society Lottery Registration please contact the Licensing department using the contact details below:-

Erewash Borough Council
Licensing Office
Civic Centre
Derby Road
Long Eaton
Derbyshire
DE7 1HU

Email: licensing@erewash.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 9071113
Fax: 0115 9072267