Concerns Raised About Charity Lotteries and Raffles

Businesses are being urged to avoid running charity raffles and lotteries after regulators warned that doing so could breach gambling laws.

The Jersey Gambling Commission said it had recently identified several cases in which companies attempted to hold fundraising draws on behalf of charities.

Although many firms may be acting with “good intentions,” the commission stressed that only registered charities or licensed third-party operators are legally permitted to run such schemes.

David Evans, the commission’s deputy chief executive, said the rules help ensure that good causes are aware of, and approve, activities carried out in their name.

“There is a reputational risk,” Mr Evans explained. “Without consent, charities have no control over how a raffle or lottery is managed and could face negative publicity if anything goes wrong.”

He added that the commission must also prevent confusion that could give the impression commercial lotteries are allowed, which could encourage unlawful gambling activity.