In her keynote speech at the 2024 Hospice Lotteries Association Conference, Sarah Gardner (pictured above), Deputy CEO of the Great Britain Gambling Commission, congratulated society lotteries for their impact on local communities. Gardner shared the latest insights from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), illustrating the popularity of charity lotteries and discussing the future direction of gambling regulation.
Societal impact of charity lotteries
Gardner lauded the societal impact of charity lotteries. Large society lotteries raised £421.7 million for good causes in the year to March 2023, a 14.6 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels. “You all should be recognised for your efforts and for the public good your work leads to, year in and year out,” she said.
High participation rates
Citing data from the GSGB, Gardner stated that nearly half of British adults, 48 percent, had participated in some form of gambling in the last four weeks. After the National Lottery, charity lotteries ranked second in popularity, with 16 percent of participants buying tickets. Scratchcards followed closely at 13 percent. “The products that all of you are providing and in turn raising funds for good causes are some of the most popular ways for people up and down the country to gamble,” Gardner told the charity lotteries.
Maintaining public trust
However, she warned that maintaining public trust is crucial. “None of this can be taken for granted,” Gardner said, urging lottery operators to adhere to regulatory frameworks. She assured attendees that the Gambling Commission would continue to adapt its rules to reflect societal changes while keeping a close watch on illegal lotteries. Gardner revealed that the Commission had issued 452 cease-and-desist notices in 2023, targeting illegal online lotteries and social media-based operations.
White Paper and new regulations
Gardner also spoke about the long-awaited implementation of the Gambling Act Review White Paper, which she described as a “far-reaching piece of work” that will shape the future of the sector. One of the major consultations, focused on direct marketing, initially considered changes that could have impacted charity lotteries. However, after receiving feedback from the sector, the Commission decided not to include society lotteries in the new direct marketing regulations.
In closing, Gardner reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working collaboratively with the lottery sector. “The Gambling Commission is your national regulator. But I hope in what I have discussed today, you agree with me that this does not mean we have to have a confrontational approach,” she said. By staying compliant and engaging with the Commission, Gardner believes that society lotteries can continue to thrive and deliver vital support for their communities.
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