The government has been urged to increase the amount that organisations can raise from charity lotteries

A call has been made for reform of charity lotteries to be speeded up.

The Westminster Government has been urged to take forward its plans to raise the fundraising limits of charity lotteries.

Presently, the amount of ticket sales a charity can raise through a single draw is £4 million, with annual income capped at £10 million.

Jo Bucci, chair of The Lotteries Council, said that three years had passed since parliament had backed raising the fundraising limits on charity lotteries, with organisations missing out on potential income.

She said: “Whilst we appreciate that the government needs to give due consideration to any changes to the law it’s progress on this issue has been slow. It is especially unfortunate given that every month that passes these fundraising restrictions are impacting on the money that goes to good causes.”

Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, added: “The current limits are starting to bite and impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of society lotteries and we urge the government to move forward with the consultation as soon as possible.”

The government is being called upon to increase the amount of ticket sales for a draw to £10m, allow organisations to raise £100 million through draws and set prize values at a maximum of £100,000.

David Griffiths, vice chairman of the Hospice Lotteries Association, said: “Charity lotteries raise vital funds which make a huge difference to the lives of millions of people. However an increasing number of charities – including hospices – are affected by the continuing delay on resolving this problem. We hope ministers take action as soon as possible.”

The House of Commons heard last week that a consultation paper would be published shortly by the government.