What is a lottery?
A small lottery is a draw when tickets are sold in advance with
the draw made on a set date e.g. if a sports club/PTA has a
Christmas draw and sells tickets in advance.
These lotteries must only be run in support of good causes, such
as charity fundraising and cannot be run for private or commercial
gain.
When would I need one?
If your organisation (or ‘society’) is planning a
lottery in the area, you must by law obtain confirmation
a Certificate of Registration from Bath & North East Somerset
Council. This does not apply to lotteries or draws that are
organised nationally, or to those which do not sell tickets to the
general public (e.g. private society lotteries).
Raffles e.g. those held at discos with the draw made on the same
day do not require to be registered.
How do I apply?
Contact Licensing Services on 01225 396911 or email
licensing@bathnes.gov.uk
and we will send you:
- an Application Form
- a Signatories Form which must be signed by the lottery promoter
and two other signatories for the society
- Guidelines for the main law regulating lotteries (Lotteries and
Amusements Act 1976)
Complete the three forms, enclosing the statutory fee of £40.00,
and send them to:
Licensing Services
Bath & North East Somerset
Environmental & Consumer Services
9-10 Bath Street
Bath
BA1 1SN
If you are renewing your society’s registration, you should
enclose £20.00 instead.
NB Fees stated are for applications made during the period
1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009.
If your application is approved, your society will be registered
as a society with us, and you will be sent an acknowledgement of
registration.
What are we allowed to do?
There are legal regulations for carrying out lotteries. The
explanatory notes sent with the application forms explain these
regulations, but if you have further enquiries you should seek
independent legal advice.
You must send us a financial return (‘Return by Promoter’)
showing how much money was collected and how much of this went
to the charity. The Council must have received your return by the
end of the third month after the collection. Your return must be
signed by the lottery promoter, and also by two authorised members
of your society. A blank return will be sent to you with your
confirmation of registration.
