Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a UK-based charitable society lottery operator that has held a continuous Gambling Commission licence since 29 November 2012. It operates under the lottery category, running prize draws and raffles to support its cancer research mission. With over 13 years of clean regulatory history and a Grade A trust score, it's one of the more stable charitable lottery operators in the country.
Positive Signals
- 13+ years of continuous licensing with no regulatory gaps since first licensed in November 2012
- Zero enforcement actions recorded across its entire licensed history
- Perfect stability score of 100 reflecting a clean five-year record and decade-long bonus for continuous operation
- Perfect domestic score of 100 confirming fully UK-based operation with no offshore elements
- Grade A+ company rating as a charity incorporated under company limited by guarantee with transparent governance
Concerns
- Trustpilot score of 2.20 from 122 reviews falls well below the 3.0 threshold, indicating notable consumer dissatisfaction
- One director based outside the UK (Netherlands), introducing a minor offshore governance element
- No PSC data available as a company limited by guarantee, which limits transparency on ultimate control
Overview
Operator Type: Charitable society lottery operator raising funds for cancer research
Cancer Research UK is one of the most recognised charitable organisations in the country, and its gambling operation reflects that reputation. It holds a society lottery licence that's been active since November 2012, giving it over 13 years of continuous, uninterrupted operation. That's a clean record with no regulatory actions, which aligns directly with its top stability and domestic scores.
What makes Cancer Research UK distinctive isn't just its longevity. It's a charity structured as a company limited by guarantee, governed by a board that includes several professors and academics. The organisation is entirely UK-focused, scoring a perfect 100 on the domestic scale, and its lottery activity exists solely to fund its charitable mission.
But the Trustpilot picture is mixed. With an average of 2.20 across 122 reviews, consumer sentiment sits below the threshold we'd consider reassuring. It's worth noting that reviews often reflect the broader charity experience rather than the lottery specifically, though the score still warrants attention.
Where Is This Operator Based?
Understanding where an operator is based matters for regulatory accountability. UK-based operators are subject to UK courts and consumer protection laws.
This operator is headquartered in the UK and registered with Companies House. They are fully subject to UK courts, consumer protection laws, and regulatory oversight.
Licence Details
Cancer Research UK holds one active Society Lottery Licence issued by the Gambling Commission, first granted on 29 November 2012. The licence has remained continuous throughout, with no lapses or suspensions recorded.
| Licence Type | Status | Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Society Lottery | Active |
Enforcement & Compliance History
No regulatory actions recorded.
No enforcement actions recorded.
This operator has no public enforcement actions, financial penalties, or regulatory warnings on record with the UK Gambling Commission.
Corporate Structure
Cancer Research UK is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee, a structure typical of UK charities, registered at Companies House under number 04325234. It was incorporated on 20 November 2001 and is registered at 2 Redman Place, London E20 1JQ. The company operates under SIC code 86900 and is governed by a board of 12 directors, the majority of whom are UK-based, alongside one company secretary. It has no persons with significant control listed, which is standard for this corporate structure.
CANCER RESEARCH UK
Active- Company Number
- 04325234
- Incorporated
- 20 November 2001
- Registered Address
- 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ
Directors & Officers
| Name | Role | Residence | Appointed |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEDEMA, Reinier, Professor Dr | director | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 20 February 2025 |
| EVANS, Mark | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 30 October 2024 |
| SMAJE, Catherine Eve | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 30 October 2024 |
| STEVENS, Simon, Lord | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 October 2023 |
| KAPOOR, Rakshit | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 March 2023 |
| THAKRAR, Hitesh | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 March 2023 |
| PATEL, Habibunnisha | secretary | — | 30 October 2022 |
| PATEL, Habibunnisha | secretary | — | 30 October 2022 |
| CANTRELL, Doreen Ann, Professor | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 4 October 2022 |
| EVAN, Gerard Ian, Professor | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 4 October 2022 |
| KEARNS, Pamela Renate, Professor | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 1 January 2021 |
| EASTON, Robert James Campbell, Dr | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2 December 2020 |
| SHAW, Joanne Mary | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 29 September 2020 |
| JONES, Nicholas Clwyd, Professor | director | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 2 January 2020 |
Associated Domains
Cancer Research UK operates across three domains: cancerresearchuk.org, cruk.charitypayments.co.uk, and cruk.thecharityraffle.co.uk. All three carry an A-grade SSL certificate rating. The primary domain holds a Trustpilot score of 2.20 from 122 reviews, which sits below the level we'd consider a positive consumer signal.
| Domain | Brand | Status | Site Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| cancerresearchuk.org | Cancer Research UK | Active | Other |
| cruk.charitypayments.co.uk | CRUK Charity Payments | Active | Other |
| cruk.thecharityraffle.co.uk | Cancer Research UK Raffle | Active | Lottery |