If you are planning to run a raffle in the UK—whether for a school fundraiser, charity event, sports club, or community group—you need to make sure you do it legally. Many people assume raffles are simple and unregulated, but UK law has clear rules around how they can be run.
This guide explains how to run a raffle legally in the UK, in plain and simple English. It is written with you in mind, especially if you are not a lawyer and just want to avoid mistakes, fines, or legal trouble.
What Is a Raffle Under UK Law?
In UK law, a raffle is usually classed as a lottery. A lottery has three elements:
- You pay to take part (buy a ticket)
- There is a prize
- Winners are chosen by chance
If all three apply, the activity is regulated by the Gambling Act 2005 and overseen by the Gambling Commission.
The good news is that many raffles are legal without a licence, as long as you follow specific rules.
The Two Main Legal Ways To Run a Raffle
In the UK, you can legally run a raffle in one of these main ways:
- As an Incidental Lottery (no licence required)
- As a Society Lottery (registration or licence required)
Which one applies depends on how, where, and why you run the raffle.
Option 1: Running an Incidental Lottery (The Easiest Way)
An incidental lottery is the simplest and most common legal raffle. If you meet all the rules, you do not need a licence or registration.
This option is ideal if you are running a raffle at a single event, such as:
- A school fête
- A charity dinner
- A community party
- A sports day
- A fundraising evening
Key Rules for an Incidental Lottery
You must follow all of these rules:
It Must Take Place at One Physical Event
- Ticket sales must happen at the event
- The draw must happen during the same event
- The event must be in one location
You cannot sell tickets before or after the event.
No Online or Remote Ticket Sales
You cannot sell tickets:
- Online
- Through social media
- By phone
- By email
- By post
All ticket sales must be in person at the event.
Ticket Sales and Draw Must Be on the Same Day
You cannot:
- Sell tickets in advance
- Carry ticket sales over multiple days
Everything must happen during the event itself.
Expense Limit: £100
- Total expenses for running the raffle must not exceed £100
- This includes printing tickets and admin costs
- Donated prizes do not count as expenses
Prize Limit: £500
- The total value of prizes must not exceed £500
- Again, donated prizes are excluded from this limit
If you meet all these conditions, your raffle is legal and requires no licence.
Option 2: Running a Society Lottery (When a Licence or Registration Is Needed)
If your raffle does not meet the incidental lottery rules, you will need permission.
This usually applies if:
- You want to sell tickets online
- You want to sell tickets before the event
- You have higher prizes or expenses
- You want to run raffles regularly
In this case, your raffle becomes a Society Lottery.
What Is a Society Lottery?
A society lottery is a raffle run by a non-commercial organisation for a good cause.
Examples include:
- Registered charities
- Sports clubs
- Community groups
- Schools and PTAs
- Non-profit associations
You cannot run a society lottery for personal profit.
Small Society Lottery (Most Common)
A Small Society Lottery is the most popular option for charities and clubs.
When You Need It
You need to register as a Small Society Lottery if:
- You sell tickets online
- You sell tickets before an event
- Your raffle is not tied to a single event
- Your prizes or expenses exceed incidental limits
How To Register
- Register with your local council, not the Gambling Commission
- Registration is simple and low-cost
- You must renew it annually
Key Limits
- Maximum £20,000 in ticket sales per draw
- Maximum £250,000 per year
- At least 20% of proceeds must go to the good cause
Large Society Lottery (For Big Operations)
A Large Society Lottery requires a licence from the Gambling Commission.
This applies if:
- Ticket sales exceed Small Society Lottery limits
- You run raffles on a large scale
- You operate nationally or regularly online
This option is more complex and is usually only needed by large charities.
Can You Run a Raffle Online in the UK?
This is where many people get caught out.
The Simple Rule
You cannot sell raffle tickets online unless you are properly registered or licensed.
Even if:
- It is for charity
- It is “just on Facebook”
- It is a small raffle
Online ticket sales always require a society lottery registration or licence.
Can You Run a Raffle for Personal Profit?
No.
UK law is very clear:
- Raffles must be for good causes
- You cannot run a raffle to make personal or commercial profit
If you want to run prize competitions for profit, those fall under different legal rules and often require a full Gambling Commission licence.
What Counts as a “Good Cause”?
A good cause includes:
- Charitable purposes
- Community benefit
- Amateur sports clubs
- Educational causes
- Social or cultural groups
Money raised must go to the organisation—not individuals.
Fairness and Transparency Rules You Must Follow
Even if your raffle is legal, you must still run it fairly.
You should:
- Clearly state ticket prices
- Clearly describe prizes
- Make the draw transparent
- Draw winners randomly
- Keep basic records
This protects you and builds trust with participants.
What Happens If You Run an Illegal Raffle?
Running a raffle without following the rules can lead to:
- Fines
- Enforcement action by the council
- Gambling Commission investigation
- Damage to your organisation’s reputation
Many illegal raffles happen by accident, not intention—usually because of online ticket sales.
Common Mistakes People Make
Here are mistakes you should avoid:
- Selling raffle tickets on Facebook without registration
- Selling tickets before the event for an incidental lottery
- Exceeding prize limits without realising
- Running raffles for personal gain
- Assuming “charity” automatically makes it legal
How To Decide Which Option Is Right for You
Ask yourself:
- Is this at one physical event only?
- Are tickets sold only at the event?
- Are prizes and expenses low?
- Do I want to sell tickets online?
If the answer to any of these raises doubt, you should register as a Small Society Lottery.
Simple Checklist Before You Run a Raffle
Before you start, check:
- Purpose is non-commercial
- Correct type of raffle chosen
- No online sales without registration
- Prize and expense limits respected
- Draw is fair and transparent
Final Thoughts
Running a raffle in the UK can be perfectly legal and straightforward, as long as you understand the rules.
If you want the easiest option, keep it as an incidental lottery at a single event.
If you want flexibility, online sales, or higher prizes, register as a Small Society Lottery.
When in doubt, always check with:
- Your local council, or
- The Gambling Commission
Taking a little time to do it properly protects you, your organisation, and the people supporting your cause.