Charity raffle - do I need permission?

[bekah]

Hello,

Im running the GRN for the Guide dogs this year and was looking to do a charity raffle. Somebody has told me I need permission from the local council to do this, can anyone help???

[stoo_pid]

If the raffle is incidental to another event (e.g fete, jumble sale, etc) you don't need permission. If not then you must register with the LA in advance of selling any tickets.

If I remember correctly, there are a few other regs regarding how much you are allowed to spend on prizes etc but the LA should be able to advise you on that.

[fo3nix]

I believe that you only have to get permission if you actually call it a 'raffle' on any tickets and things. I'm not sure how correct this is though, just something I've heard.

[stoo_pid]

Here ya go:

From the Charity Commission

27. A "small" lottery must be genuinely incidental to what are called in the 1976 Act "exempt entertainments" (f�tes, bazaars, sales of work, etc) where the total value of the prizes does not exceed �250 and the proceeds of the lottery are devoted to purposes other than private gain. No cash prizes may be given, and the sale and issue of tickets and the announcement of results must be carried out during the entertainment and on the premises where it is held.

28. The general public can be invited to participate in a "society's lottery". A "society's lottery" can only be conducted by a body registered with the Gambling Commission, or with a local authority, depending on the size of the lottery business. Charities and their subsidiary trading companies are amongst the bodies which can seek registration.

Click here for further info