Lottery licence

Society lotteries (also known as raffles) are promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society.

Society lotteries (also known as raffles) are promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society.

A society is non-commercial if it is established and conducted:

  • for charitable purpose
  • 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

Apply

The society who is promoting the lottery must be registered with the Council where their head office is located.

If your head office is within Solihull borough please download the following forms:

Small Society lottery registration

A registration certificate is required if a society wishes to sell tickets to raise money over a period of time. You must apply to the local authority in which the head office of the society is based.

The registration needs to be renewed annually at a cost of £20 per year (a reminder will be sent to you two months before the renewal date).

Am I eligible to apply for a small society lottery registration?

Yes, if you represent a society which is a non-commercial organisation established for:

  • Charitable purposes
  • The purpose of enabling participation in, or of supporting, sport, athletics or a cultural activity
  • Or any other non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain

The total value of tickets to be put on sale per single lottery must be £20,000 or less, or the aggregate value of tickets to be put on sale for all their lotteries in a calendar year must not exceed £250,000. If the operator plans to exceed either of these values then they will be classed as a large lottery operator, and must be licensed with the Gambling Commission instead.

How long will it take?

We will issue you a permit within one month.

How much will it cost?

There is a fee of £40 which is taken when you apply.

What will I need before I apply?