Register a small society lottery

Find out if you need to register your lottery, apply for registration and submit lottery returns.

Check if you need to register

If you wish to hold a lottery, you may need to register with us first.

Under the Gambling Act 2005, there are 2 types of lottery:

• simple lotteries
• complex lotteries

Simple lotteries

A simple lottery is where:

• people pay to take part
• one or more prizes are awarded
• winners are chosen entirely by chance

Example: a raffle where people buy tickets to win a prize.

Complex lotteries

A complex lottery is one where:

• people pay to take part
• one or more prizes are awarded
• winners are selected through a series of stages
• the first stage relies entirely on chance

Lottery guidance and exemptions

Read the lottery guidance to check whether your lottery needs to be registered (PDF, 289.81 KB)

You can also find information and advice on the Gambling Commission website.

Apply for a small society lottery registration

To register a small society lottery, complete the application form and the external lottery manager notification form.

1. Small society registration application form (PDF, 122.68 KB)
2. External lottery manager notification form (PDF, 181KB)

Send the completed forms to the Licensing Team

See the Licensing Team's contact details.

Registration fee

The registration fee is £40.

If you want to pay by card, include a phone number on your application form so we can contact you to take payment.

Submit a lottery return

If you run a registered small society lottery, you must submit a lottery return within 3 months of each draw.

Your return must include:

• the dates tickets were available for sale
• the date of the draw
• the total proceeds of the lottery
• amounts deducted by promoters of the lottery in providing prizes, including rollovers
• any costs deducted to organise the lottery
• the amount applied to the purpose of the society
• details of any expenses paid from sources other than lottery proceeds

Submit your return using the lottery returns form (PDF, 122.68 KB)

Contact us

If you need any help completing the form, contact the Licensing Team:

• phone: 020 7341 5152
• address:

The Licensing Team 
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Town Hall
Hornton Street
W8 7NX