UK Charities Could Lose Up to £198m Due to Restrictions Placed on Charity Lotteries

UK Charities Could Lose Up to £198m Due to Restrictions Placed on Charity Lotteries

British charities are speaking out about government restrictions that have been placed on charity lotteries which could cost them up to £198m over the next five years.

The Effect of Government Lottery Restrictions

The UK Government is so far refusing to lift the restrictions placed on the annual sales of lotteries. It was raised in 2020 from £10 million to £50 million, however, many British charities are arguing that this is still not sufficient and that it will massively impact their fundraising. Many charities are arguing that it could potentially cost them nearly £200 million over the next five years.

The Gambling Commission is unsure why these limits are in place on the charity lottery sector. No other type of charity fundraising has the same red tape imposed on it by the UK Government.

Charities Speak Out Over UK Government Restrictions

One of the largest UK charities speaking out on this is the People’s Postcode Lottery which supports over 70 charities. They are encouraging the government to remove the red tape on ticket sales that was first introduced way back in the 1960s.

Since 2005, the People’s Postcode Lottery has raised over £1 billion and has donated this cash to thousands of charities across the country. In 2022, the charity raised over £183 million which went to a myriad of good causes including homelessness charities and cancer charities.

Some of the big name charities that have been helped by the charity lottery include Barnardos, Crisis, Maggie’s, Young Lives vs Cancer, Keep Britain Tidy and the Royal Voluntary Service. Children’s charities such as Barnardos could receive an additional £5 million if the charity lottery red tape were to be lifted.

A meeting between the charities and the Minister for Sport, Tourism, Heritage and Civil Society is set to take place next month, which is why this issue is being raised now. Several parliamentary MPs have backed the charities in their quest to have the red tape removed. This includes Esther McVey, Stephen Crabb, Robert Halfon, Tracey Crouch as well as the leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Douglas Ross.

Other Latest Industry News

4. Mar 2026 12:01
We’ve had a look at the live and online bingo and casino events and offers across the UK this month, and there’s a lot to like. Two proper occasions: one to show Mum she’s loved, one to wear something green and pretend you’re a little bit Irish. Both are a great excuse to get out and do something memorable. Mother’s Day – Sunday 15 March If Mum’s your bingo partner…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 3min
Read this news
26. Feb 2026 16:53
A 60-year-old Wigan local has become the very first person in the UK to claim the new £250,000 jackpot in the National Bingo Game. The woman’s Tuesday night catch-up with her daughter at the Wigan Club 3000 turned into a moment she’ll never forget. “When my numbers were called, I was in total shock. “At first, I thought it was a false call, but when I realised it wasn’t, I…
by
Charles Shakespeare
Charles Shakespeare
Time to read 3min
Read this news
13. Feb 2026 16:14
The National Bingo Game clearly doesn’t care about omens because, despite it being Friday the 13th, they have just launched a new jackpot. To celebrate the launch, they’ve also released new research into the quirky habits and traditions of bingo fans across the country. A quick heads-up: Whether you’re wearing your lucky socks or sitting in your “magic” chair, remember that bingo is a game of pure chance. We love…
by
Nic McBride - WhichBingo Senior Editor
Nic McBride
Time to read 4min
Read this news
11. Feb 2026 15:34
Charlie Shakespeare is on his travels again (he doesn’t sit still for a minute, does he!). This time, Charles is in the big smoke to uncover the magic of the famous venue: the Hippodrome Casino. Opened over 120 years ago, the Hippodrome has been everything from an arena with a 100,000-gallon water tank sunk into the floor to where escapologist Harry Houdini performed in 1904, and a Peter Stringfellow-run club. Now,…
by
Esther Barnett Rubin
Esther Rubin
Time to read 2min
Read this news
Spinner
Jennifer Mcfadyen
Jennifer McFadyen
iGaming Specialist
Jennifer McFadyen is a slot specialist and iGaming journalist with years of experience analyzing online slots and industry trends. She provides detailed, transparent insights into RTP, volatility, bonus features, and game design, helping players navigate the latest releases. Beyond slot reviews, Jennifer covers iGaming news, casino platform evaluations, and industry developments, offering expert analysis on new game launches and responsible gambling updates.

Reader comments