Incidental v Small Society Lotteries

Incidental Lotteries (like raffles at school fairs) are small-scale, unlicensed, and tickets are sold only during the event, whereas small society lotteries (like a registered charity raffle) are larger, require registration with a local council, and can be promoted in advance to the public. Both must be for non-commercial purposes.  

Key Comparisons

• Registration: Incidental non-commercial lotteries do not need registration. Small society lotteries require registration with a local authority.
• Ticket Sales: Incidental tickets can only be sold at the event, which cannot be a commercial event, and the result must be declared during the event. Small society lottery tickets can be sold in advance.
• Proceeds: Incidental lotteries have no strict legal limits on proceeds, but cannot be the main purpose of the event. Small society lotteries have a maximum of £20,000 for a single draw, or £250,000 per year.
• Prize Costs: For incidental lotteries, total deductions for prizes cannot exceed £500 (unless set otherwise by regulations). 

When to Use Which

• Use Incidental: Guess how many sweets in a jar, tombola, or a 100 club at a local event.
• Use Small Society: A formal raffle run by a local registered charity or non-profit group to raise funds throughout the year.