Commission publishes updated advice on prize competitions and free draws
Press release
Date: 14
December 2009
The Gambling Commission (the Commission) has published updated
advice for organisers of prize competitions and free draws.
The revised advice benefits from the experience gained in the
two years since the Gambling Act 2005 (the Act) came into effect in
September 2007. It reflects changes to the Commission’s general
understanding of how the Act applies.
Commenting on the proposals, the Commission’s Deputy
Chief-Executive, Tom Kavanagh said:
“Our role is to protect good causes by policing the boundary
between prize competitions, free draws and licensed
lotteries.
”We do not approve prize competitions or free draws but operators
who seeking to stay within the law should read this publication and
take independent legal advice before proceeding.”
A quick guide for prospective operators has also been published.
Further information can be found at: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/lotteries.
Ends
Notes to editors
The Gambling Commission
- 1. The Commission regulates gambling in the public
interest. It does so by keeping crime out of gambling, by ensuring
that gambling is conducted fairly and openly, and by protecting
children and vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by
gambling. The Commission also provides independent advice to
government on gambling in Britain.
- 2. The Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating
all gambling in Great Britain other than the National Lottery and
spread betting, which are the responsibility of the National
Lottery Commission and the Financial Services Authority (FSA)
respectively.
- 3. The publication of the updated advice follows a
public consultation in the summer.
Prize competitions and free draws - The requirements of the
Gambling Act 2005 - December 2009
Running prize competitions and free draws - December 2009
Further information
- Further information is available from the Commission's
website at: www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.
- You can also call John Travers on (0121) 230 6700,
(07852) 124624 or email via communications@gamblingcommission.gov.uk.