Charities Dominate New UK Lottery Licences

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New Lottery Operators Emerge in the UK Market

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has identified the six newest organisations to be granted lottery operating licences. The data, released following a request on 19 August 2024, shows a strong presence of charitable organisations entering the sector alongside a commercial enterprise.

This information provides consumers with a transparent view of the latest entrants into the society lottery space, a popular form of fundraising and gambling in the UK. Understanding who operates these lotteries is a key part of making informed decisions about participation.

Breakdown of New Licence Holders

The UKGC confirmed the six most recent lottery registrations between July and August 2024. The list highlights a mix of remote (online) and non-remote (in-person) operations:

• WI Enterprises Limited: Granted a Remote licence on 22 August 2024.
• The Christie charity: Granted both Ancillary Remote and Non-Remote licences on 17 July 2024.
• Civil Service Benevolent Fund: Granted a Remote licence on 11 July 2024.
• Network for Animals Charitable Trust: Granted both Ancillary Remote and Non-Remote licences on 9 July 2024.

Notably, three of the four organisations are registered charities. The Christie charity and the Network for Animals Charitable Trust both secured licences for remote and non-remote activities, allowing them to sell tickets online and through physical channels. The term 'Ancillary' indicates that the lottery is run to support the organisation's primary charitable purpose, not as its main commercial activity.

Turnover Data Not Yet Available

The original FOI request also sought information on the turnover of these new lotteries, specifically those growing from a small scale to over £250,000. However, the Gambling Commission stated it could not provide this information.

This is not a refusal to disclose but a limitation of the regulatory reporting cycle. The UKGC explained that operators are required to submit regulatory returns, which include financial data like turnover, on a quarterly basis. As these organisations were only recently licensed, they have not yet completed a reporting period. Therefore, the Commission does not yet hold the requested turnover data.

Significance for Consumers and the Industry

The list of new licensees demonstrates the continued importance of lotteries as a fundraising tool for the UK's third sector. The decision by prominent charities like The Christie to secure both online and offline licences reflects a modern approach to reaching supporters.

For consumers, this disclosure provides an up-to-date look at the regulated lottery market. It also offers insight into the regulatory process itself, clarifying that financial performance data for new operators only becomes available after their first quarterly return is submitted. This procedural detail is important for understanding the flow of information and the timeline of regulatory oversight for new market entrants.