Gambling for Good Causes

Those involved in fundraising for good causes often organise events involving types of gambling as a means to raise money. Typical fundraising activities that involve gambling include:

• Lotteries (such as raffles and tombolas)
• Race nights
• Casino nights.
• Bingo

Gambling laws allows most such gambling activities to be provided on a non-commercial basis, without the need for permission from the local authority or the Gambling Commission, provided that relevant rules are followed.

Lotteries

A simply advice leaflet on running a lottery, including raffles, tombolas and sweepstakes has been produced by the Gambling Commission and can be downloaded below

pdf Gambling Commission - Basic advice on running lotteries (258 KB)

More detailed guidance on running small lotteries can be downloaded here:

pdf Gambling Commission – Organising small lotteries (238 KB)

If your lottery cannot be run in such a way as to fall within the definition of an "exempt lottery" you may decide to register with us to provide small society lotteries.

Race Nights, Casino Nights etc.

A simple advice leaflet on running a race night, casino night or similar event for a good cause has been produced by the Gambling Commission and can be downloaded below:

pdf Gambling Commission – Can I hold a race night, casino night or poker night? (405 KB)

Bingo

A simple advice leaflet on organising bingo for a good cause can be downloaded below:

pdf Organising Bingo for a good cause (506 KB)

Further Information

More detailed information on organising non-commercial prize gaming and non-commercial equal chance gaming, including any conditions that must be complied with, is provided below:

pdf Gambling Commission - Advice on non-commercial and private gaming and betting (88 KB)