How to organise a raffle or lottery

Small lotteries are incidental to a one-off, non-commercial event e.g. a bazaar, fete, dinner dance or similar event (i.e. at events where the lottery is not the main attraction.)

• The proceeds of the event and the raffle must not be for private gain.
• No more than £500 may be used from the proceeds for the purchase of prizes.
• No more than £100 of the gross proceeds can be used to cover the organisational costs and expenses involved, such as the cost of tickets (any costs incurred above £100 must be paid by other means). 
  
• The value of donated prizes is unlimited and alcohol, cash and vouchers may be given as prizes.
• Tickets must only be sold during the event and on the premises where the event is being held (i.e. not beforehand or from any other premises).
• Special printed tickets are not a requirement, cloak room tickets would suffice.
• All tickets/ chances must cost the same and there must be no discounts (4 tickets for the price of 5 for example).
• Under 16's are allowed to buy and sell tickets for this type of lottery or raffle (but they must be properly supervised).
• The results of the lottery must be made public at the event. Announcing the results afterwards is not permissible.
• There must be no rollover.

Next Steps

Make sure that your plans adhere to the necessary laws and guidelines.

Start to think about obtaining prizes for your raffle.

Your raffle doesn't fit this description? Take a look at our information on Society lotteries.