DCMS to Decide on charity lottery cap by summer recess

DCMS Select Committee to investigate UK gambling regulation
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Stephanie Peacock, DCMS undersecretary for Sports and Media, announced that the government will decide whether to remove the sales cap on British charity lotteries by the summer recess.

She provided this update during the Commons’ second reading of a private members’ bill introduced by Lib-Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain. The bill aims to remove the £50m cap on ticket sales, allowing unlimited fundraising for charity lotteries. The Lib Dems argue this change would boost funding for local charitable causes.

According to Third Sector, The People’s Postcode Lottery estimates that lifting the cap could generate an extra £175m for charities over five years.

While DCMS supports the growth of society lotteries, the government has not yet taken a stance on the bill. Peacock confirmed that independent research is underway to assess the impact of removing the cap, with findings expected next month. The government will review the data before making a decision.

She noted that while society lotteries have grown since legislative changes in 2020, most operate within the current limits. However, larger umbrella lotteries are nearing the cap, which could cause operational challenges.

The government wants to determine whether increased sales directly translate to more funding for charities, as recent data suggests this is not always the case.

Debate on Chamberlain’s bill will resume on 11 July, when the government is expected to present its findings and official position.

Meanwhile, DCMS has started hearings on the Gambling Review’s White Paper recommendations. During the session, peers provided feedback on key measures, including the £5 betting limit on slots and the structure of the mandatory levy for research, education, and treatment (RET).

While the proposals have cross-party support, the Labour government has received concerns about how these changes could impact consumers, businesses, and stakeholders in the UK gambling industry.