Private lotteries can only be promoted by one of the members of a group or society established and run for purposes not connected with gaming, betting or lotteries such as a private members' club.
Tickets can only be sold to:
- other members of that same society
- people on premises used for the administration of the society
The lottery may only be promoted for a purpose for which the society is run.
Private lotteries cannot be conducted on vessels. The Gambling Act 2005 defines a vessel as:
- anything designed or adapted for navigation or other use in or on or over water. Not including a seaplane or amphibious vehicle (vehicles that provide transport on land and on or under water)
- a hovercraft
- anything or part of any place on or in water
Advertising of private lotteries
Private lotteries must follow conditions about advertising. These state that advertisements for a private society, work or residents lottery cannot be displayed or distributed at any other premises except the society's or work premises or the relevant residence.
Workplace lotteries
The promoter of the lottery must work on the premises and tickets can only be sold to other people who work on the same premises. The lottery must not be run for profit and all the proceeds must be used for prizes or reasonable expenses incurred in organising the lottery, for example a Grand National sweepstake.
Residents' lotteries
Resident lotteries must not be run for profit and all the proceeds must be used for prizes or reasonable expenses.
The promoter of the lottery must live in the premises covered by the lottery and tickets can only be sold to the residents of the same premises. You still meet this requirement if you live in the premises but not solely, for example student halls of residence.