Do I need a License ?

[CST]

I have read all the info on the Gambling Commission website, but much of it seems very contridictory.
Basically what I need to know is whether or not I need a License.
We want to ask businesses to display a 150 squared name card. Their customers then pay £1 per square/name, once the card has been filled a scratch off panel then reveals the winning name, to which a prize is won. Ideally we would like to operate as 'cause related' meaning we would like to give a percentage to good causes but we would also be a 'commercial' for profit business.
Do we/Would we need a License?

 

[Alan]

Why do you think you wouldn't?

 

[CST]

There are many different rules for different things, raffles, lotteries, etc and depending who you are selling to, etc. I also wasn't fully sure what it would be classed as.
I just wasn't sure if it fell under the same categories, or if the prize won was under a certain value a license may not be necessary, etc.
I am fully aware it is a 'type' of gambling which is why I was hoping for some clarification, as I obviously don't want to do anything illegal.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

When you contacted the Gambling Commission what did they say?

 

[CST]

They have said they don't give advice about business ideas or legal advice. I was told to email, which I have, and the reply is that "if it warrants a response you should receive one, response can take up to 20 days.

 

[Mr D]

I have read all the info on the Gambling Commission website, but much of it seems very contridictory.
Basically what I need to know is whether or not I need a License.
We want to ask businesses to display a 150 squared name card. Their customers then pay £1 per square/name, once the card has been filled a scratch off panel then reveals the winning name, to which a prize is won. Ideally we would like to operate as 'cause related' meaning we would like to give a percentage to good causes but we would also be a 'commercial' for profit business.
Do we/Would we need a License?

So basically operating like Camelot regarding the big lottery in terms of business type.

Presume you will need a license unless the gambling commission tell you otherwise.

You will need to offer the business thats displaying the card some sort of reward. A percentage of the money or fixed sum. They are also often for profit businesses.

 

[The Resolver]

If the proceeds to be raised are to be no more than £20,000 then you need a licence from your local council otherwise from the Gambling Commission If you want to avoid a licence then you need to set up rules that make it a game of skill not chance. Examples are 'spot the ball' type games. The test is that they questions should have sufficient difficulty to deter a reasonable number of people from entering. A game which you just seek information in answers to questions is harder given the availability of the Internet for searching information. S, cryptic type clues are more suitable.