New Forest District Council’s (NFDC) Cabinet is set to consider the introduction of a community lottery to provide additional funding opportunities for local charities and community organisations.
If approved at the 2 April meeting, the scheme would be operated by an External Lottery Manager (ELM), ensuring compliance with Gambling Commission regulations.
Local good causes, such as charities and not-for-profit groups, could sign up at no cost, with 60% of ticket sales going directly to them.
The scheme would run alongside the council’s existing annual community grant programme, offering a more flexible funding option and support for groups that may not meet the minimum grant criteria or require one-off financial support for specific projects.
Cllr Dan Poole, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Communities, said, “A community lottery could be a fantastic way to support the many organisations that make a real difference to our residents and communities.
By giving people the choice to support their preferred good cause while taking part in a fun and responsible lottery, we can help generate much-needed additional funding for local groups.”
Tickets, which would be priced at £1.00, would be available online, with participants choosing which organisation to support.
Weekly prizes would range from free tickets to a jackpot of £25,000, fully covered by the ELM.
NFDC would establish eligibility criteria for participating organisations and ensure safeguards are in place to promote responsible play.
If approved, the New Forest Community Lottery would launch in approximately six months.