Lottery Registration

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Summary

Under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, it is unlawful for any society (i.e. club, institution, organisation or association of persons) to promote a public lottery, unless such a society is registered with the Council in which the head office of the society is situated.

Private lotteries and small lotteries promoted as incidental of another event are exempt from registration but are subject to specific restrictions outlined in the Order.

Fees

A fee of £35.00 is payable on application for initial registration of a society. Each year after the initial registration a renewal fee of £17.50 is payable to maintain the registration.

Eligible Criteria

An application for the registration of a society for the purpose of conduction lotteries shall be made to the council in which the office or head office of the society is situated and a copy of the application shall be served upon the district commander of the PSNI in the district which the office or head office of the society is situated. An application under paragraph (1) of the order shall –

specify the purposes for which the society is established and conducted:

and

contain such other information with respect to those purposes as the District Council may reasonably require; and specify the address of the office or head office of the society; and have attached to it a copy of its lottery scheme.

The private lottery provisions are intended to allow for traditional sweepstakes in work places, etc. and small-scale, fund-raising ballots by societies. Tickets or chances must not be sold to the public at large.

Regulation Summary

The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985

Application Evaluation Process

To register with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, a society must:

Apply to Council for registration, specifying the purposes for which the society is established and conducted.
Provide any other details which Council may require.
Specify the address of its office or head office.
Attach a copy of its lottery scheme showing how it proposes to run its lotteries.
Copy the application to the local PSNI district commander.

Before deciding whether or not to grant an application, Council will hear any representations which the PSNI may made. The application will be refused if the conditions in the definition of a society’s lottery are not satisfied or if the lottery scheme does not conform to the law.

The application may also be refused if:

Anyone connected with a lottery promoted or proposed to be promoted on behalf of the society has been convicted of an offence involving lotteries, fraud or dishonesty;

The address of the office or head office of the society is the same as that of the office or head office of another registered society established for the same or a connected purpose;

Any lottery promoted by or on behalf of the society within the last 5 years has not been properly conducted.

A registered society must notify Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council:

Of any change in the address of the society’s office or head office within 21 days of the change taking effect.

and

Of any change in its lottery scheme before any tickets are sold under the amended scheme. (A lottery scheme being contrary to law is one of the grounds upon which a district council may revoke a society’s registration).

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Tacit consent only applies where registration has already been in place during the year.

The PSNI have a legitimate interest in the outcome of applications for the initial registration of a society for the purpose of conducting lotteries, therefore to minimise the risk of registration being approved inadvertently Tacit consent does not apply. It is in the public interest that such applications are fully processed before registered is approved.

If you have not heard from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council within a reasonable period, please contact us.

Forms to Download, Print and Post

The Law on Lotteries in Northern Ireland - Information Leaflet

You can request documentation from:

Environmental Services Department
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Ballymoney Office
Riada House
14 Charles Street
Ballymoney
BT53 6DZ

Telephone: 028 2766 0233
Email: environmentalhealth@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Contact Details

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in the first instance. Where an application for registration is refused the applicant may appeal to the county court.

This must be done within 21 days of the date the application have been notified of such a decision.

Registration Holder Redress

Applications are made to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Consumer Complaint

We would advise that in the event of a complaint, the first contact is made with the trader by you – preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of deliver).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK: Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the: European Consumer Centre.

Useful Links and Contacts

Contact your local court office: Coleraine Court Office

Further information on the lotteries law may be obtained from Social Policy Unit, Department of Social Development.

Legal advice on the law should be obtained from a professional legal advisor.

The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) provides advice and information to voluntary and community groups on lottery law in Northern Ireland. NICVA’s pamphlet “Lotteries - A Guide for Voluntary Groups” is available, free of charge, by contacting the Charity Advice Officer at:

The Charity Advice Service
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
61 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast
BT15 2GB

Tel: 028 9087 7777