The Lotteries Council has called on its members to voluntarily publish data about the proportion of their sales that go to good causes, prizes and operating costs.

The move is part of a consultation the membership body, which represents society lotteries, launched yesterday on how to improve transparency in the society lotteries sector.

One of the proposals being put before the body’s 350 members is that they publish more detailed financial information on the Lotteries Council’s website.

This would include the percentage share of proceeds going to the good cause supported by the lottery, the value of the prize money and how much of sales is used for administration and promotion.

It comes as the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is holding an ongoing inquiry into society lotteries and their regulation.

The Lotteries Council and the lotteries sector is hoping to persuade MPs there is a need for “modest deregulation” of society lotteries and believes their case would be strengthened by organisations voluntarily enhancing the transparency of their operations.

Although the Gambling Commission currently receives information about the proportion lotteries spend on good causes, prizes and other expenses, it cannot be published without the explicit consent of each individual lotteries, as it is deemed commercially sensitive, the Lotteries Council said.

Clive Mollett, chairman of the Lotteries Council said: “The society lottery sector has a fabulous story to tell about the huge sums of money our members and their loyal players raise for good causes.

“We are absolutely clear in acknowledging that the public should be informed and able to make their own judgements, and we hope such a measure will make it easier for them to do so.”

The consultation with members is being held before the Christmas break and the Lotteries Council said it hopes to have the change in place ready for publication in April 2015.