Gambling and lottery permits

Apply for a club gaming or a club machine permit, a gaming machine permit in a family entertainment centre or a licensed premises, a small society lottery permit and a prize gaming permit.

Small society lottery permit

Society lotteries are promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society. 

Non-commerical societies

A society is non-commercial if it is established and conducted for:

  • charitable purposes
  • enabling participation in sport or a cultural activity, for example theatre
  • any non-commercial purpose other than that of private gain

Small society lotteries

A small society lottery does not have:

  • proceeds that exceed £20,000 for a single draw
  • aggregated proceeds in excess of £250,000 in a calendar year.

Small society lotteries do not require a licence. However they must be registered with the local licensing authority in the area where the principal office of the society is located. 

Registrations are continuous unless a cancellation is requested.

How to apply

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Permit costs and payments

View our gambling and gaming licence fees and charges

Annual fees

We will send you an invoice for the annual fee. You must pay it in the 2 before the renewal date. 

If you do not pay in time, the registration may be cancelled. All cancellations will be notified to the Gambling Commission.

Statement of returns

We will issues a statement of returns form with your small society lottery permit. 

Within 3 months of the last day of any lottery draw taking place, you must send us the statement of returns showing: 

  • details of the lottery’s arrangements
  • the proceeds
  • amounts deducted by the promoters

The statement must be signed by 2 adults who are members of the society and have been appointed in writing by the society (or its governing body) for that purpose. You must also send us a copy of their appointment. 

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Once received the statement of returns is kept for at least 18 months and is available to be viewed by members of the public during this time. 

Contact us to view a particular statement of returns.

Email: licensing@woking.gov.uk
Telephone: 01483 755 855

Lotteries that exceed the small society limit

The lottery organiser will need to apply for a licence from the Gambling Commission if:

  • proceeds exceed £20,000 for a single draw 
  • aggregated proceeds exceed £250,000 in a calendar year

External lottery managers

You may employ an external lottery manager (ELM) to run all or part of your lottery. ELMs must also be licensed by the Gambling Commission. 

Find out more about how to run a lottery or fundraiser – Gambling Commission.