​Lottery Council urges members to be more transparent

Society lotteries should publish data on how much of their proceeds go to good causes, their governing body has said.

The Lotteries Council made the call to its members as part of a consultation and also suggesting they should publish details about their operating costs.

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

The council believes there is a need for “modest deregulation” of society lotteries and believes their case would be strengthened by organisations voluntarily enhancing their transparency.

Currently the Gambling Commission receives information about the proportion lotteries spend on good causes, prizes and other expenses but these figures cannot be published without the explicit consent of each individual lotteries.

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.”