How to register a Small Society Lottery

Confused about the licencing requirements for a fundraising lottery? If you’re planning to start a fundraising lottery, raffle or similar gambling-related activity then you’re likely to need to register as a Small Society Lottery.  Small Society Lotteries do not require a licence from the Gambling Commission, making the process of starting a lottery much quicker and simpler.

What is a Small Society Lottery?

A Small Society Lottery must meet all of the following criteria:

·         Operate for the benefit of a non-commercial organisation

·         Generate proceeds of less than £250,000 per calendar year

·         Not generate proceeds in excess of £20,000 in a single draw

The proceeds of a Small Society Lottery must be used for one or more of the following:

·         Charitable work

·         Sporting activities

·         Cultural activities

·         Any other non-commercial activities

How to register your lottery

Small Society Lotteries do not need a licence from the Gambling Commission. Instead, applicants must register their Small Society Lottery with the local authority in which their main premises are located. Each local authority will have a different registration procedure, which can be confusing. We’re making the process easier by signposting you straight to the registration system for your local authority. Just enter your postcode into our Registration Tool and we’ll take you straight to the relevant webpage or email address to make your application.

Find My Local Authority

How much does it cost to register a Small Society Lottery?

It generally costs around £40 to register your Small Society Lottery. Your registration will need to be renewed on an annual basis.

How to set-up a Small Society Lottery

Don’t be daunted by the complexities of starting a fundraising lottery. When you start a lottery with One Lottery, we make the process as simple as possible. We provide the website, ticket sales, prizes and marketing materials. There’s no risk and no set-up costs. All you have to do is sign-up, register your lottery as detailed above, and spread the word!

Start A Fundraising Lottery