Society lotteries are a different beast to prize draws. They are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, require a minimum 20% of revenue to go to good causes, and are capped at a £500,000 maximum prize. Unlike commercial prize draws, there is no free entry route — you pay to play.
| Factor | Prize Draws | Society Lotteries |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | DCMS Voluntary Code No licence required |
Gambling Commission Full UKGC licence |
| Maximum prize | Unlimited | £500,000 cap |
| Free entry | Required (AMOE route) | Not applicable |
| % to charity | Voluntary | Minimum 20% statutory |
| Player protection | Code-based (voluntary) | UKGC licence conditions |