Relaxing lottery rules in NI would hand charities multimillion funding boost

Assembly members have been urged to back a law change that supporters claim would deliver a multimillion-pound windfall for charities in the region.

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland has launched a public consultation on her private member’s bill that seeks to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland.

Current legislation prevents organisations like the People’s Postcode Lottery, which runs a subscription-based lottery model, from operating in Northern Ireland.

That contrasts with the National Lottery, which is governed by a different legislative framework and can operate in Northern Ireland.

The People’s Postcode Lottery, which is backing Ms Mulholland’s Bill, raises more than £19 million a month for charities in Great Britain.

It estimates it could raise more than £25 million for charities in Northern Ireland in five years if it was able to expand to the region.

The figure would increase to £7 million a year after year five, the organisation said.

North Antrim MLA Ms Mulholland launched the public consultation on a visit to a facility in Belfast run by the charity Young Lives vs Cancer.

Amy’s House offers free accommodation to families to stay close to their children when they are having cancer treatment at the nearby Belfast City Hospital.

The UK-wide charity benefits from People’s Postcode Lottery funds in Great Britain but is unable to avail of support in Northern Ireland.

On the visit to Amy’s House, Ms Mulholland said: “The charity sector in Northern Ireland is facing a difficult fundraising environment coupled with significant demand for its work and the services they provide.

“Opportunities to bring new funding into the sector are few and far between. However, it is clear that through charity lotteries we have a huge opportunity to establish an ongoing sustainable funding stream for charities large and small across Northern Ireland.

“In Britain and other European countries, there is a thriving charity lottery sector benefiting a huge number of charitable causes and I would like to see charities here benefit as well.

“Young Lives vs Cancer is just one of a great many charities doing vital work to support families and communities here. However, that costs money, and it is clear that more funding is needed. I urge politicians across all of the political parties to get behind this proposal and help us access this great funding boost.”

The Bill is backed by a range of charity representatives in Northern Ireland.

Rachel Kirby-Rider, the chief executive of Young Lives vs Cancer, voiced her support as the consultation was formally launched.

“We have some great facilities here at Amy’s House which helps us make a difference to young people from Northern Ireland facing cancer,” she said.

“But we still need to reach many more young people and their families who need support at the most difficult of times, and to fund this vital work, we rely on generous donations.

“Young Lives vs Cancer has benefited hugely thanks to the support of the People’s Postcode Lottery. The funding we have received has made a real difference to what we can achieve, however it is not currently available in Northern Ireland and our families are missing out.”

Clara Govier, managing director of People’s Postcode Lottery, said there is “great untapped potential” for charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland.

“For years we have been contacted by people wanting to play our lottery and by charities wanting to unlock that funding potential. Sian Mulholland’s proposed Bill will make a great difference to a great many charities and the people and communities those charities support. We urge MLAs from all parties to give it their support,” she said.

However, Allwyn UK, which operates the National Lottery in Northern Ireland, has warned against “industrial-scale society lotteries”.

During a recent appearance before Stormont’s Communities Committee Allwyn representatives said modelling indicated a £5.4 million annual loss to National Lottery good causes and the public purse in Northern Ireland within five years if the legislative change was to go ahead.

Gillian Taylor, director of communications at Allwyn, said: “Every ticket purchased helps to fund projects that bring hope, opportunity and connection to communities and people across Northern Ireland.

“We are committed to growing these life-changing returns responsibly and sustainably.

“Our key focus is to operate a model which puts as much as possible back into good causes.”

Published: 09/05/2025 by Radio NewsHub