Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Charity Lotteries: Annual Sales Limits

Thursday 22 February 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jamie Stone asked about removing annual sales limits on charity lotteries, citing 432,000 in community grants and unique challenges of remote regions.
  • Kim Leadbeater questioned why charity lotteries face sales limits while casinos and bookies do not, despite lower risk.
  • The Minister committed to considering evidence on all issues related to society lotteries, including their impact on the national lottery.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The annual sales limits for charity lotteries are under scrutiny. The question focuses on the impact of these limits in remote areas where raising funds is particularly challenging.

Question

If she will take steps to remove annual sales limits on charity lotteries, highlighting that some £432,000 has been awarded as community grants and requesting that the unique circumstances of remote regions be considered.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The limits for society lotteries allow them to raise funding but remain distinct from other forms of gambling and the national lottery. Research is being commissioned on this area, which will be reviewed by the end of the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment or timeline to remove/review sales limits based on research findings

How: Commissioning Independent Research, Lack Of Data

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Q2 Kim Leadbeater Lab Spen Valley
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The People's Postcode Lottery operates in Spen Valley, supporting various local organisations. The current annual sales limit restricts the lottery's capacity to fund more community projects.

Question

The People's Postcode Lottery funds several notable local organisations but is restricted by annual sales limits. Why do casinos and bookies not face such limitations while charity lotteries do, given their lower risk profile?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Recognising the value of society lotteries to charities and having worked with the Gambling Commission to support the People's Postcode Lottery's growth within its network, independent research is being commissioned to understand potential harms and effects on the national lottery before making decisions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing a specific explanation for differential regulation of charity lotteries compared to other gambling forms

How: Commissioning Independent Research, Lack Of Data

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Q3 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

In remote constituencies like Caithness, charities face difficulties raising funds through charity lotteries due to annual sales limits.

Question

Acknowledging the current £432,000 awarded as community grants and requesting that the unique challenges faced by remote regions be considered in future decisions on sales limit adjustments.

Answer from Stuart Andrew

Recognising the contribution society lotteries make to charities, especially in rural areas and committing to considering evidence on all issues related to these lotteries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete commitment to include remote regions' needs when reviewing or adjusting sales limits

How: Wanting Decisions Based On Evidence

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