Lotteries - which includes raffles, sweepstakes, lucky dips and tombolas - can be a highly effective, fun and rewarding way of fundraising. They can act as a stand-alone fundraising activity or can be incorporated into a wider event.

However, some lotteries come under strict gaming laws. To find out how to run yours legally, it’s useful to first decide what type of lottery you want to hold.

For example, is it:

1) A Small Lottery
Small lotteries can only be run in conjunction with a wider event.  You can only sell tickets and carry out the draw during the event itself.  No more than £250 can be spent on prizes, and cash cannot be offered as a prize. However, there’s no limit on how many prizes can be donated, or tickets sold.

2) A Society Lottery
Pre-printed tickets and a lottery registration with the Local Authority licence are required if the tickets are being sold over a period of time. Candlelighters hold a lottery registration which you can use - please Contact Us  for further details. Tickets cannot be sold for more than £2.  Tickets must also have the price, the charity and its number, the date of the lottery, and the name and address of the promoter printed on them.

3) A Private Lottery
Private lotteries can take place privately within a workplace or other organisation.  All takings must be divided between prizes and the organisation.

4) An Office Lottery
Why not organise an office lottery for Candlelighters based on the Bonus Ball?  The winner takes 25 and the balance goes into the charity fund – the odds are much better than the National Lottery and the charity pot soon mounts up!

If you want to plan a lottery, the above information is for guidance only, so always get in touch with your local authority for advice.  For more information and contact details, visit: Direct.gov.uk