DCMS consults on lottery reform

“On the 29th June, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport launched a consultation setting out the Government’s proposals on society lottery reform.

Current proposals follow DCMS’ call for evidence completed in March 2015, recommendations made by the then Culture Media and Sport Select Committee and advice provided by the Gambling Commission.

The Gambling Commission was asked to consider the following objectives in its advice:

• the regulatory framework for society lotteries should not be overly burdensome;
• public trust and confidence in society lotteries and the good causes with which they are associated should be maintained; and
• reform should not jeopardise the position of the National Lottery and its returns to good causes.

Reform proposals:

Large Society Lotteries: (Government preferred options)

• Raising the maximum sale proceeds from a single lottery draw from £4 million to £5 million;
• Raising the maximum single prize limit per draw from £400,000 to £500,000; and
• Raising the maximum permitted annual ticket sales limit from £10 million to £100 million.

Small Society Lotteries (No Government preferred options)

Changing the thresholds at which small society lotteries require a Gambling Commission Operating Licence would bring more lotteries into a lighter touch regime and reduce regulatory burdens:

• Raising the maximum permitted proceeds from a single draw from £20,000 to £30,000 or £40,000; and
• Raising the maximum permitted annual sales limit from £250,000 to £400,000 or £500,000.

The full consultation document can be found here  and responses should be submitted by the 7th September 2018 through the online survey.”

For further information on this or any other legal related gambling issues contact solicitor Richard Bradley on 0115 953 8500.