The kind of raffles, lotteries and prize draws that Suffolk Libraries and member groups run fall under ‘small society lotteries’, details of which can be found on the charities commission website at this link: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/Fundraising-and-promotions/Fundraising/Small-society-lotteries.aspx

We don’t need a lottery licence, but we do need to be registered with the local authority and need to submit ‘returns’ to them in respect of raffles that we hold. Therefore, as our ‘head office’ is based in Ipswich, we are registered with Ipswich Borough Council. This covers all our library community groups as they are ‘members’ of Suffolk Libraries. There is a ‘return’ that needs to be submitted when you hold a raffle – click here to download the form.  Click here to view the Certificate of Lottery Registration.

Note that if you’re holding an ‘on the day’ raffle – ie. where all the tickets are being sold and the prizes drawn on the same day – you are unlikely to need to submit a return. Visit this link for more information: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/Fundraising-and-promotions/Fundraising/Lotteries-at-events.aspx