Lottery licence

Lotteries

You may need to apply to Belfast City Council for a lottery licence if you want to raise funds by selling ballot or raffle tickets to the general public.

Law governing lotteries in Northern Ireland

The law governing lotteries in Northern Ireland is the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order. The legislation requires organisations to register with the local authority where they have their office or registered address. A lottery is a draw where prizes are won by participants who buy tickets at fixed prices and winners are selected by chance. Some small scale lottery schemes are exempt from registration and you should check the relevant legislation for further information.

• View the law on lotteries in Northern Ireland

How to apply

A registration form must be completed and submitted to apply for a lottery licence.

Registration application form

A £35, non-refundable fee, covering all lotteries for the calendar year in which your application is made must be paid at the time of application.

To process your application, we will share your personal data with the PSNI Licensing Officer at Musgrave Station, Belfast. Full details can be found within the privacy statement on the application form.

Refer to the ‘Accompanying documentation’ section of the application form for details of information that is needed to process your application.

Submit a registration application

Scheme form

If you have a lottery planned at the time of registration, you will need to submit a scheme form along with your registration. 

A scheme form must be completed before each lottery your society holds within each year of registration.

Submit a scheme form

Renewing your lottery licence

Lottery licences expire on 31 December each year.

To make sure your lottery licence remains valid, you must complete and return a Renewal of Registration Form, allowing a minimum of two weeks for processing.

A non-refundable renewal fee of £17.50 must be made at the time of application.

Renew your lottery licence

Payments

We cannot take payments by phone. To make a payment, email nilotteryscheme@belfastcity.gov.uk