You only need a licence for a Society Lottery, but other types of lotteries, such as private and small lotteries must also comply with certain rules. Society lotteries are draws held for charitable purposes where tickets are sold in advance to the general public, and restrictions are placed upon the amount of the proceeds that may be allocated to prizes and expenses.

A private lottery is where tickets are only sold to members of a club or society, or to persons who work or live in the same place. There are no restrictions on the amount of the proceeds that can be used for prizes in this type of lottery, and no licence is required. Lotteries that are held during bazaars, sale of work, fetes, dinner dances, sporting or athletic events or entertainment of a similar nature would most likely not require a licence as long as prizes are issued and tickets sold during the event.

• Lottery registration in Christchurch

  Lottery licences last 12 months from the date of issue.

• Lottery registration in East Dorset

  Lottery licences are issued for an indefinite period, but are subject to an annual fee.

• Lottery registration in North Dorset

  Information and application forms for lotteries in North Dorset.

• Lottery registration in Purbeck

  Organisations wishing to sell tickets to members of the public over a period of time can be registered with the Licensing Authority in the area where their principal office is located.

• Lottery registration in West Dorset

  If you are organising a lottery in West Dorset you must get a licence from the district council.

• Lottery registration in Weymouth and Portland

  A lottery is the distribution of tickets/chances where the people taking part make a payment in return for the chance to win a prize.