Society lotteries have raised more than £208m in the past year, the most since records began, prompting the Lotteries Council to renew is call for restrictions to be relaxed.
Data for April 2015 to March 2016 from the Gambling Commission shows a 10.5 per cent increase on the previous year and more than double what was raised in 2009 to 2010.
But umbrella body the Lotteries Council said millions more could be raised if government let society lotteries generate ten times as much income as they are currently allowed.
At its annual general meeting, it renewed calls for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to increase an annual income cap on the amountany society lottery from £10m to £100m.
Other changes it called for include an increase in the permissible amount of ticket sales for a single draw from £4m to £10m, the aggregation of the present 20 per cent statutory contribution to good causes over three years for new society lotteries, and triennial reviews of the sector.
The organisation, which has more than 350 members, said the changes would reduce complexities around fundraising for smaller charity lotteries and would be at no extra cost for the taxpayer.
Jo Bucci, chair of the Lotteries Council, said: “We are extremely lucky to live in a country that embraces the charity sector and the charity lotteries that support so many good causes. Charity lotteries exist to help people and to improve lives.
“We know that charity lotteries could be enhancing even more lives – and with only minor changes to regulations, further millions can be raised for good causes."
Inquiry report outstanding
The Lotteries Council previously made its calls for an ease in regulations to the Culture, Media and Sport select committee's inquiry into society lotteries in 2014.
Its suggestions were backed by major charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, the RNIB, Scope and the Royal Voluntary Service but drew concerns from NCVO about a potential negative impact on public trust in charities.
Speaking to Civil Society News, a spokesperson for the Lotteries Council said the government has yet to act on its recommendations to the inquiry.
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