Thinking about starting a lottery to raise funds for your organisation? You’re not alone – society lotteries are a popular choice for many British organisations looking to support their cause. But before you dive in, let’s clear up exactly what qualifies as a society lottery and who can run one.

Understanding Society Lotteries

A society lottery is simply a lottery that raises money for a good cause. Whether you’re a charity, sports club, or cultural organisation, if you’re set up for non-commercial purposes, you might be eligible to run one. The key thing to remember is that these lotteries aren’t about making private profit—they’re about supporting your organisation’s aims. This means at least 20% of what you raise must go towards your cause, though many organisations choose to give more.

If you’re planning to raise less than £250,000 a year, you’re looking at a small society lottery. This means registering with your local authority and keeping your single draws under £20,000. Planning something bigger? If you expect to raise more than £250,000 annually, you’ll need a licence from the Gambling Commission, which comes with more regulatory requirements but allows you to operate on a larger scale.

If you’re thinking about starting a society lottery, here’s what to do first:

1. Check your organisation qualifies
2. Decide whether you’ll be a small or large lottery
3. Get your registration or licence sorted
4. Set up proper procedures
5. Ensure everyone involved understands their roles

While society lotteries can be fantastic fundraising tools, they come with responsibilities. Getting things right from the start is much easier than fixing problems later.