SSAFA is regulated by the Fundraising Regulator and adheres to the Code of Fundraising Practice (2025).  Through the code, we aim to make sure that all our fundraising activities meet the following values: 

• Legal: our fundraising must meet the requirements of the law.

• Open: our fundraisers must be clear about their processes and willing to explain them when necessary.

• Honest: our fundraisers must act with integrity and must not mislead people when asking for donations.

• Respectful: our fundraisers must respect the people and places they interact with.

The set up and administration of charity raffles is regulated by the Gambling Commission. Running a charity raffle is an excellent way to raise funds for worthy causes, but volunteers must follow specific rules and guidelines to ensure the event is legal, fair, and transparent. This document outlines the essential rules for volunteers organising a charity raffle in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

Charity raffles are regarded as lotteries under the law. In England, Wales, and Scotland, they are regulated by the Gambling Act 2005, and in Ireland by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019. In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the Gambling Commission oversees the regulation of charity lotteries and raffles.

• Permits and Licences: For most charity raffles (referred to as "incidental lotteries"), no licence is required if the raffle is held as part of a fundraising event (such as a fete or dinner), tickets are only sold during the event, and the draw takes place at the event itself. However, if tickets are sold to the public in advance or over a period of time (a "society lottery"), a licence or registration with the local authority or the Gambling Commission (in England, Wales, and Scotland) may be needed.
• Age Restrictions: In the UK (including Scotland), participants must generally be over 16 years old to purchase raffle tickets. In Ireland, the minimum age is 18.
• Proceeds and Prizes: All proceeds, minus reasonable expenses, must go to the charity. Prizes must be clearly described. There are restrictions on offering cash prizes for some types of raffles.

• Transparency: clearly state the name of the charity, details of prizes, and the date and location of the draw on all tickets and promotional material.
• Fairness: all tickets must be sold at the same price, and each ticket must have an equal chance of winning.
• Record keeping: keep accurate records of tickets sold, money raised, expenses, and prize distribution for audit and regulatory purposes.
• Responsible promotion: raffles should not be promoted to children or vulnerable individuals, and all advertising must be truthful and not misleading.

• Ensure all volunteers are briefed on legal requirements and guidelines before the raffle.
• Display the raffle rules at the event and on any promotional material.
• Encourage responsible gambling and provide information about support for gambling-related issues.
• Contact your local authority, the Gambling Commission (UK), or charity regulator if you are unsure about any aspect of the rules.

• Have you registered your raffle with your regional Community Engagement Manager (CEM)?
• Does the raffle qualify as an ‘incidental lottery’ and therefore does not require a license?
• If no, then please ask your CEM to signpost you to get support and advice for obtaining a ‘society lottery’ license.
• Do you have a plan to ensure that tickets are sold in line with ‘incidental lottery’ rules, such as, only sold at the event, not sold to under16s (under 18s in Ireland)?
• Do you have clear plans for handling payments safely?
• Are all promotional materials clearly branded with SSAFA’s name and messages?
• Have all volunteers involved in selling tickets been briefed? Do they have SSAFA ID when selling tickets?
• Have you recorded all receipts and prize expenses and shared that record with your CEM?

Volunteers are essential to the successful running of charity raffles, but it's crucial that they comply with all relevant legal and ethical standards. Always consult the latest government and charity regulator guidelines before organising a raffle and seek guidance if needed.

Gambling Commission (UK): Organise a Lottery or Raffle: Fundraising, raffles and lotteries

Charity Commission (England & Wales): The Charity Commission | GOV.UK

OSCR: Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator: OSCR | Home

An Garda Síochána: Gaming and Lotteries (Ireland): Gaming & Lotteries Act  Application Forms for Gaming Permits and Lottery Permits (1/12/20) | Garda

Charities Regulator (Ireland): The Charities Regulator

First published 20 October 2025