Three in four people feel that charity lotteries should be free to raise as much money as the National Lottery, new research shows. Just the Ticket, written by research consultancy nfpSynergy, also reveals that most people feel lotteries run by good causes should not be capped and do not affect their other donations.

The report, based on a survey of 1,000 British adults, shows that 74% of people feel there should be no laws to stop charity lotteries raising as much money as the National Lottery. Several were unsure, leaving just 8% in favour. 63% were also opposed to any regulations that made it difficult for charity lotteries to compete with the National Lottery.

The report argues that the National Lottery does great work, but it is “too big, too well-known and too well-established” to need to worry about its charity counterparts and does not need protecting. It also criticises the existence of regulations as they should be reserved “to support the weak and the vulnerable, not those too strong and dominant to need it.”

People were also asked about whether lottery prizes and ticket sales should be capped. Only 22% of people wanted to see a cap on prizes, while just 11% felt the same about tickets.

The study, released on the same day DCMS consultation on lotteries, also goes on to allay fears about charity lotteries taking money away from other fundraising methods, with 63% saying they would not give any less to charity if they also played a lottery. When the question was put to those who actually do play charity lotteries, 73% said it wouldn’t affect their donations.

Joe Saxton, Driver of Ideas at nfpSynergy, said:

“We have long believed that charity lotteries do not need regulating in order to protect the National Lottery and it seems the public agree. This is good news for charity lotteries and good news for good causes.

The National Lottery does a great job of supporting good causes, but the money is aimed at particular projects. By deregulating charity lotteries and allowing them to thrive, we can give charities a vital revenue stream and increase their financial independence. This can only be good for the people they help and the great work they do.”

Please see the attached report for more details.