Other exempt lotteries

Part of: Lotteries and society lottery registration

Contents

Some types of lottery can be run without a licence or registration, as long as they meet certain conditions under the Gambling Act 2005. These are known as exempt lotteries.

The most common are:

  • incidental non-commercial lotteries
  • private lotteries (including work and residents’ lotteries)
  • customer lotteries

If you are unsure which applies to you, contact licensing@trafford.gov.uk for advice.

Incidental non-commercial lotteries

An incidental non-commercial lottery is one held as part of a non-commercial event, such as a school fête, community fundraiser or dinner dance.

To qualify as incidental and non-commercial:

  • the event must raise money for a charity or community purpose, not private profit
  • all tickets must be sold at the event
  • the result must be announced while the event is taking place

Limits on prizes and expenses:

  • no more than £250 may be spent on prizes
  • no more than £250 may be spent on expenses such as printing tickets or hiring equipment
  • rollovers are not allowed

(These limits may be increased to £500 following government review.)

Private lotteries

Private lotteries can only be run within a defined group, such as a club, workplace, or residential premises.
They cannot be run for profit and must follow strict rules about ticket sales and advertising.

There are three types:

1. Private society lotteries

  • Can only be promoted by and sold to members of the same society.
  • The lottery must be run for a purpose connected to that society’s activities.
  • Tickets cannot be sold to the public or guests.

2. Work lotteries

  • Can only be run by people who work at the same premises.
  • Tickets can only be sold to colleagues at that location.
  • All proceeds must go to prizes or reasonable expenses (for example, a Grand National sweepstake).

3. Residents’ lotteries

  • Can only be run by and sold to people who live at the same premises (for example, a block of flats or halls of residence).
  • All proceeds must go to prizes or reasonable expenses.

Private lotteries must also meet these conditions:

  • Tickets must not be transferable.
  • Each ticket must show the promoter’s name and address, who can buy tickets, and that tickets are non-transferable.
  • The price must be the same for all tickets and paid before they are issued.
  • Advertising is limited to the society, workplace, or residential premises only.
  • Private lotteries cannot be run on vessels such as boats or hovercraft.

Customer lotteries

A customer lottery can be run by the occupier of business premises for customers who are physically present.
They are often used for simple prize draws in shops, cafés or clubs.

Rules for customer lotteries:

  • Tickets can only be sold to customers on the premises.
  • No profit can be made; proceeds can only cover prizes or reasonable expenses.
  • No advertising outside the business premises.
  • Only one customer lottery can take place on the same premises in any seven-day period.
  • Tickets must not be transferable.
  • The maximum prize value is £50.
  • Rollovers are not allowed.
  • Each ticket must show:
    • the promoter’s name and address
    • who tickets can be sold to
    • a statement that tickets are not transferable

Further help

If you are unsure whether your lottery is exempt or needs registration, contact the Licensing Team for advice:

Email: licensing@trafford.gov.uk

Telephone: 0161 912 4047