Westminster to reform society lotteries

Society lotteries could be allowed to run bigger draws and offer larger prizes in Westminster if a reform gets passed.

UK.- Conservative North West Folk Member of the Parliament Henry Bellingham is calling for changes within the society lotteries. He says they should be allowed to run bigger draws and offer larger prizes (up to £1 million) in order to compete with the National Lottery and raise money for good causes.

According to MP Bellingham, who has urged the government to introduce a statutory instrument to deregulate society lotteries, ticket sales for a single draw should increase to at least £10 million (current limit is £4 million), annual turnover limit to £100 million (currently at £10 million) and maximum pize should be raised to £1 million (from £400k).

“There is overwhelming support for these changes from every single third sector charity that has been in contact with me,” Bellingham said to fellow MPs and quoted a letter from charity ActionAid which said: “Such changes would mean more funds can be raised for important causes like ours and the many other UK charities benefiting from this funding source.”

Minister for Civil Society Tracey Crouch assured that authorities are discussing the matter with the UKGC and added: “Before making any changes to the current rules, it is important that all options are looked at and consideration is given to the wider picture. The key consideration in the reforms has been how to strike the right balance between society lotteries and the National Lottery.”

According to her, there hasn’t been any competition between society lotteries and the national lottery but said she expects to provide an update soon as “reforms must be considered through that lens.”