Community Lottery Scheme approved

Published: Wed 28 February, 2024

A community lottery that will put money towards good causes and community funding was approved by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) this week.

The community lottery scheme, which will see 60p of the £1 lottery ticket price being given to a local ‘good causes’ – split between a local voluntary or community group for their projects and initiatives (40p), and NWLDC for a community grants programme (20p).

The remainder will be allocated towards prize money for ticket holders and a small amount to the organisation that manages the lottery itself.

Similar schemes are run in around 140 councils nationwide, including several in Leicestershire, with the aim of helping good causes raise money within their local community.

It will take four to five months to launch the scheme, as appropriate licenses are required from the Gambling Commission and time would be needed to sign community organisations up to the scheme.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Climate Change at NWLDC, said: “The idea of a community lottery scheme, which supports local community groups and organisations to bolster their funding streams, has been an idea I’ve supported for a long time, and I’m delighted that we’ll soon have this in North West Leicestershire.

“We can see schemes like this working well in other local areas, and I’ve already spoken to several charities and groups who are interested in taking part. Added to that, we’ll be able to create a community fund from the percentage we take, which again will be put into the community.

“As we head towards launching the scheme, I would encourage local people and organisations to get on board with this innovative way of raising money for good causes.”