Football Betting Sweepstake Rules Reminder

The Gambling Commission has reminded people of the law about football betting sweepstakes.

Those hoping to participate in a workplace football betting sweepstake have been made aware of the law concerning this by the Gambling Commission.

With this summer's football World Cup in South Africa kicking off on June 11th a number of people up and down the country may wish to hold their own sweepstake for the tournament.

In workplaces these are classed as work lotteries under the Gambling Act 2005 and when held by people who live together are resident's lotteries.

Those hoping to raise funds for charitable causes are told: "If the lottery is being run as a work lottery the law specifies that it cannot be run to raise funds, all the proceeds - money collected - must be paid out in prizes or used to cover any expenses."

A licence is not needed to run this kind of lottery, but there are rules in place and people are advised to read the Commission's guidance note entitled Organising small lotteries - November 2009 before proceeding.

The Gambling Commission was set up to regulate commercial gambling in the UK under the Gambling Act 2005.