Still time for local causes to sign up for Community Lottery

Local good causes still have time to submit their group to be part of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Community Lottery. Newark and Sherwood District Council will be among the first few local authorities in the country to launch the scheme that will benefit local good causes.

There are two parts to the Newark and Sherwood Community Lottery scheme. Local good causes will be able to set up their own lottery page, and will receive 50p in every pound spent by players using this method. A further 10p in every pound will go into a general Newark and Sherwood Community Lottery good causes fund.

Players who do not wish to support a specific cause can still take part in the community lottery, with 60p of their ticket price going into the general Newark and Sherwood Community Lottery good causes fund, which will be distributed by the District Council.

Councillor Tim Wendels, chairman of Newark and Sherwood District Council’s homes and communities committee, said: “Recent months, more than ever, have proven the vital role that charities, voluntary and community groups play in supporting people, communities and shaping places. We hope that this lottery is a means of enabling charities to raise funds and to develop a means of ensuring financial support for a sector that is closest to our communities and their needs."

“Importantly, we are also ensuring that all proper processes are in place that this lottery mitigates as many risks of problem gambling as is possible and, hopefully, gives people an option that is therefore both secure for them whilst also being dedicated to raising money for good causes”.  

Good causes like Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice have already joined the scheme and groups still wanting to get involved can apply online at: www.newarkandsherwoodlottery.co.uk/good-causes

Sherwood and Newark Citizens Advice Chief Officer, Jackie Insley said: “We would like to say thank you to Newark and Sherwood District Council for giving us the chance to be part of the new community lottery. 

 “The recent pandemic has put increased demand on our services and the extra funds raised will be invaluable to our group for the foreseeable future. We encourage other groups to get involved and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity in the area.”

 From each £1 ticket purchased through the lottery, 60p goes to local good causes. Another 20% goes to the prize fund, and the rest is for running costs and VAT.

Players have a 50 to one chance of winning one of the prizes, which range from the £25,000 jackpot to three extra tickets.

A lottery management company, Gatherwell, has been appointed to run the scheme, having already launched similar lotteries elsewhere.

The lottery has been registered for a licence through the Gambling Commission and is also registered with the Lotteries Council which will provide advocacy and guidance on operating the lottery to support compliance and best practice.

Regular updates on the progress of the Newark and Sherwood Community Lottery will be posted on the Newark and Sherwood District Council website and Facebook pages.