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In a recent event at the Lotteries Council Annual Conference, Sarah Gardner, who is the Deputy Chief Executive of the UK Gambling Commission, shared some important updates. She said that many society lotteries in Great Britain will not have to follow some of the new rules coming from the Gambling Act Review.
Society Lotteries Ko Got Relief
Under new rules such as Remote Technical Standard 12 (RTS12), gambling companies will have to provide tools to their users – such as deposit limits, so that people can control their spending.
But Gardner confirmed:
“Those society lotteries which are exempt under RTS12 till now, will remain exempt in future too. These have been covered under the name of ‘subscription lotteries’.”
Meaning if a lottery is operating on a traditional subscription model, it does not need to apply these new financial control tools. Only high-frequency or instant-win lotteries will have to follow these rules.
The compliance deadline is until October 2025.
Marketing rules also relaxed
Earlier the Gambling Commission had planned to impose new restrictions on direct marketing and cross-selling on lotteries as well. But this decision was changed after receiving feedback from the industry.
Gardner said:
“Due to your clear and strong responses, we have decided that this new rule will not apply to the land-based gambling and lottery sectors.”
This is an example of how when industry and regulators work together, good results are achieved.
A New Approach to Compliance – Working Together
Gardner also said that the Commission wants to collaborate with gambling operators at an early stage so that rules can be easily followed.
He said:
“We want our relationship with regulated companies to be positive, in which we can provide early assistance for compliance.”
That is, instead of penalties or punishment, the Commission wants to guide operators first
Don’t take the rules lightly
Gardner also clarified that these exemptions do not mean that rules can be avoided. Some operators did not inform the Gambling Commission about their key staff changes – and this is a breach of the licence condition.
They also said that the Commission is still taking action against illegal lotteries and fake prize competitions.
From August 2024 to April 2025, they received 93 reports of illegal activity.
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