How to run a lottery or fundraiser
Lotteries,?raffles?and some competitions are forms of gambling so before you start organising, you should check if your fundraiser is classed as a lottery.
You'll also?need to check if you need permission before you start selling tickets.
Activities that require a licence
You need a licence or registration to run an online lottery
This includes lotteries on social media and live-streaming platforms. You might want to consider other fundraising options if you don't want to register with your local authority or apply for a licence from us.
You?also need a licence?from us?if you?do any of the following:
- sell (or expect to sell)?more?than ￡20,000?in tickets?from a single lottery or ￡250,000 in?a calendar?year
- sell tickets to members of the public outside of an event, private club, workplace, business or place of residence
- you're a local authority and plan to?run a lottery or lotteries
- you're?acting as an external lottery manager for?a?society that holds a licence with us.
When you need to register?with your local authority
If you do any of the following you don't need a licence from us, but you'll need a registration from your local authority:
- sell?less than ￡20,000?in tickets?from a single?lottery, or less than ￡250,000 in?a calendar ?year
- you plan to sell tickets to the?public?in a lottery, or outside of an event, private club, workplace, business or place of residence.
When don't I need a licence?
You?don’t?need a licence?or registration to run a lottery if you only take ticket payments face to face and do any of the following:
- sell physical tickets?on a single set of physical premises that are residences, a?workplace?or a business?
- sell physical tickets at an event?
- sell physical tickets?to guests at a private society or club, or to its members.
Next pageFind out more about the types of lottery you can run without a licence.
Promoting lotteries
Last updated: 12 July 2022
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