Offering free entry into a raffle, Is it illegal

[tobeloy]

I have been told the following practice being offered by a friend of mine who manages a charity shop may be illegal, can anyone clarify this any further as gaming website doesnt offer any help?

He was sent some raffle tickest by the charity he works for to sell in the shop each ticket being a �1, however most of the time when people are asked if they wish to buy a ticket they refuse, he therefore decided that when people spent a �1 or more on certain items he would give them a raffle ticket for each pound spent, he doesnt advertise this offer so therefore he is not actively encouraging gambling, and the charity gets all the money for the tickets without any pressure on the customer and the customer has the chance of winning their prize. Is this against the law?

[lady_p_gold]

I believe the law is that if you have a 'free draw' that is anyone can enter, you cannot ask them to make a purchase or expend any money to go into that draw. That is why all these things you get say 'no purchase necessary, if you want to go in the draw send your name and address to such and such'. That is also why they ask those inane questions on tv like how many sides does a square have 4,3 2 or 1 ... so that it then becomes a 'game of skill' and not a free draw. So I think he is contravening the law unless he makes it quite clear that anyone can have a ticket whether they purchase any goods or not.

[loonytunes]

The Gambling Act 2005 came into force on 1st September 2007 and changed the law, but not a lot. A free draw is no problem and not subject to the law. However, if parting with money to take part is necessary, ie. where is is given with a compulsory purchase, it may be illegal. It depends if there is a registration for the draw or it is being conducted within the terms of an exemption. Without further details it is imposible to say. Have a look at the publication "Lotteries and the Law" on the Gambling Commission website.

www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk