If you want to run a small society lottery, you need to register with the council.
What is a small society lottery?
To be a small lottery, the money made from one lottery must not be more than £20,000 or the total income from all the lotteries run by the organisation must not be more than £250,000 in a calendar year.
If you plan to go above these amounts, you will then be a large lottery and you will need to apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission
Rules for registration as a small society lottery
You can only run a small lottery if your organisation is non-commercial. An organisation is non-commercial if it is set up and run for one or more of the following reasons:
- For charitable purposes
- To allow people to take part in, or support, sport, athletics or a cultural activity
- For any other non-profit making purpose as long as it’s not for private gain.
We may ask you for proof.
Registering as a small society lottery for the first time
If you wish to register, fill in the application form and send it to us at:
Licensing Team
East Ham Town
Barking Road
London, E6 2RP
There is a fee of £40 to register. If we agree to register you, there is also an annual fee of £20, which you must pay if you wish to stay registered.
Before you complete the application, read the notes on small lotteries (PDF)
Register as a small society lottery (PDF)
You must tell us about the money you take from each lottery using the returns form for small lotteries (PDF)
If you are registered already, you must remember to pay your annual fee to keep your registration up to date.