Council plans lottery to raise community funds

Solihull Council said its lottery could provide "additional and regular funding for community groups"

People in Solihull could be given the chance to take part in a council-run lottery to raise funds for local good causes.

The borough council is considering setting up the scheme, with more than half of the revenue going to community groups and organisations - estimated at £41,000 to £83,000 each year.

Councillors will be told on Tuesday this is a higher proportion than from a range of national contests, which on average give between 20 and 30% of the raised revenue.

The remainder of the money would fund prizes and the running of the scheme, the council confirmed.

A report to a Solihull Council scrutiny committee said more than 120 local authorities already run community lotteries, with players typically able to select from a list of beneficiary groups.

It recommended the appointment of an external contractor to run the scheme, and said there would be no risk of the council having to subsidise losses.

The company operating the scheme would take a 20% cut of the revenue.

Jackpot prize

Birmingham and Wolverhampton both have community lotteries, run on similar lines.

Birmingham's contest, which has only been running for four months, expects to raise about £20,000 for good causes this year, with about £8,000 in Wolverhampton.

Both offer a top prize of £25,000 to players matching all six numbers.

The report to councillors said a range of measures would be put in place to stop problem gambling, including a limit of 20 tickets per player and a lack of "instant gratification" found with scratchcard schemes.

It added the Gambling Commission considered council lotteries a low-risk, and were considered a form of "incentivised giving".

No timescale has been given for the launch of the project if approved.