These are lotteries promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society

Large Society and Exempt lotteries information sheet Large society lotteries (licensed by Gambling Commission) These are lotteries promoted for the benefit 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 a cultural activity, or • For any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain. A licence is needed from the Gambling Commission if the total proceeds (ticket sales) for a society lottery exceed £20,000. If the proceeds of previous lotteries in the same calendar year have already reached or may, taking into account that lottery in question, reach £250,000 then the lottery is deemed a large lottery and may only be run under a “lottery operating licence” issued by the Gambling Commission. Further information about obtaining such licences can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website: http://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/. Exempt lotteries (other than small society lotteries) With the exception of small society lotteries which are required to be registered with the local licensing authority, there are other types of exempt lotteries which do not need to be licensed by the Gambling Commission (or the local licensing authority). These are: • Incidental non-commercial lotteries commonly held at charity fund raising events; • Private society lotteries – ...