Gambling Commission seeking views on updated advice on prize competitions and free draws
The Gambling Commission (the Commission) is inviting interested
parties to comment on proposed additions to the Commission’s advice
on prize competitions and free draws.
The advice is intended to assist those considering running prize
competitions and free draws in complying with gambling law. With
the second anniversary of the implementation of the Gambling Act
2005 (the Act) approaching on 1 September, the Commission is
expanding its existing advice in the light of experience gained.
The revised advice aims to clarify the Commission’s general
understanding of how the Act applies.
The Commission regulates gambling and monitors the boundary
between prize competitions, free draws and lotteries in order to
ensure that those operating lotteries are properly licensed. The
Commission has no regulatory responsibility for prize competitions
or free draws, which remain free of statutory control under the
Act.
Advice on the new law was first issued by the Commission in June
2007 and supplemented in November 2007. Specific advice on ‘house
competitions’ was also issued earlier this year and some of the
proposed additions result from testing the advice against actual
cases involving ‘house competitions’ and other schemes.
Interested parties have until Friday 11
September to give views on the Commission’s proposals. The
updated advice document will be published later in the Autumn and
will complement revised guides for those running lotteries for
fundraising. The guides are being developed in consultation with
the Lotteries Council and the Hospice Lotteries Association and are
designed to make information on lottery law accessible to
fundraisers and those without specialist knowledge of gambling
law.
Commenting on the proposals, the Commission’s Deputy
Chief-Executive, Tom Kavanagh said: “In providing authoritative
advice on the implications of gambling law and its regulation we
aim to help those considering organising competitions, draws and
lotteries. As ever, we seek to keep our advice up to date in the
light of experience.
“We welcome comments from interested parties on the proposed
revised guidance which serves as an introduction to the law for
many prospective organisers. We advise anyone considering running a
scheme to read our guidance and as appropriate to seek legal advice
before proceeding.”
Further information can be found at www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/lotteries.