ActionAid UK
ActionAid UK runs a society lottery operated by the charity Actionaid. The operator has been licensed by the UK's Gambling Commission since 2010 and has no history of regulatory action.
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About
ActionAid UK isn't a typical gambling website. It's the online presence of the international charity, which is licensed to operate a society lottery to raise funds. The lottery is run by the operator Actionaid, which holds an active licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
According to its website, ActionAid UK is a charity that works with women and girls living in poverty across 45 countries. The site states its work is guided by feminist principles and a commitment to safeguarding. The funds raised, including from its lottery, are used for humanitarian programmes, fundraising costs, and campaigning for change.
Features & Offerings
Key Offerings
- Humanitarian and development programmes
- Fundraising
- Campaigning for change
Main Features
- Feminist principles
- Safeguarding commitments
- Transparency in spending
- Focus on women and girls' rights
Can You Trust ActionAid UK?
Positive Signals
- Operated by the registered charity Actionaid
- UKGC licensed since 28 July 2010
- No recorded regulatory penalties or fines
- Disputes handled by IBAS
Concerns
- Low 2.4-star Trustpilot score based on a very small number of reviews
What Users Say
ActionAid UK has a low Trustpilot score of 2.4 stars, but this is based on only 6 reviews. The feedback isn't typical for a gambling site and focuses on the charity's fundraising methods and operational decisions rather than its lottery.
Common Themes
- Complaints about street fundraising tactics
- Criticism of the charity's operational costs and leadership
- Questions about how donations are used
Regulatory Context
The user complaints on Trustpilot don't relate to the society lottery itself. Instead, they focus on the charity's general fundraising and public image. There's no connection between these user reviews and the operator's regulatory history with the UKGC, which remains clean.
Sample Reviews
"I have had a different experience with the charity ActionAid. I have sponsored three children since the 1980s and gone on to continue giving. I have visited projects and spoken to the people who ActionAid are working with. In my experience they achieve really necessary results in an efficient way, working with the poorest communities."
"The team that cover Cardiff, inclusive of St Mary’s Street, Queen Street and Saint David Centre are amongst the most obnoxious and pretentious group of people I’ve had the misfortune of meeting... These people never stop and consider whose day they are stepping into with their time wasting nonsense."
Source: Trustpilot
UKGC Licence Status
The operator, Actionaid, holds a Society Lottery licence from the UKGC. This licence permits the organisation to run lotteries to raise money for the charitable purposes it was established to support. It doesn't permit other forms of gambling like casino games or sports betting.
For any disputes that can't be resolved directly, Actionaid uses The Independent Betting Adjudication Service (IBAS). This is a free service for consumers that provides an impartial ruling on disputes with licensed gambling operators.
Regulatory Actions
The operator Actionaid has no recorded regulatory actions, sanctions, or fines from the UK Gambling Commission.
Site Assessment
Licensed Operator
The lottery is operated by Actionaid, which is the licensed entity for the company ACTIONAID (company number 01295174). The company was incorporated on 21 January 1977 and has a long history as a registered charity in the UK.
It has held a UKGC licence to operate lotteries since 28 July 2010, establishing a long track record of operating within the regulator's rules for charitable fundraising.