Gambling Commission’s changes to UK society lotteries now in effect
The Gambling Commission has announced that changes to the rules and regulations regarding society and local authority lotteries have now come into effect in the UK.
The changes came into force on 29 July, which include increasing the size of society lotteries and greater transparency on spending, were announced in April following a consultation launched by the Gambling Commission last December, after a government review in July 2019.
In line with the government’s recommended amendment to section 99 (3) of the Gambling Act 2005, the maximum amount of total winnings from an individual draw has risen from £4m ($5.19m) to £5m, with the maximum individual prize rising from £400,000 to £500,000. Additionally, the annual aggregate proceeds limit has increased to £50m, from £10m.
New requirements and guidance is now in place to provide transparent and clearer information to consumers on how much revenue is returned to the good causes, and which ones they are supporting.
Also, lotteries will now make clear how much is spent on prizes and how they are allocated, and the likelihood of winning a prize, to make the customer as informed as possible before participating.
The Gambling Commission licences more than 490 society lotteries, defined as important fundraising tools, which raised £332m for good causes in the 12 months to March 2019.
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