If a licence is granted, each occurrence of the lottery or bingo must comply with a number of conditions.
The application must be made at least 60 days before the first day on which the lottery will be promoted (from when tickets will be sold).
- What does this application do
- What conditions need to be met
- How much does this application cost
- How to prepare
- How to apply
- What supporting documents or "proofs" are required
- What happens when the application is heard in court
What does this application do
This application allows a licence holder to hold a lottery, draw or bingo where the value of the prize is over €5,000. If it is under €5,000, you can apply to An Garda Síochána for a permit.
What conditions need to be met
To apply to the District Court for a lottery licence, each occurrence of the lottery must comply with the following conditions:
- must be for a charitable or philanthropic purpose(s) (at least 25% of total proceeds);
- applicant shall receive no personal profit from the lottery;
- total value of prizes must not exceed €30,000 if more than one lottery is held in a week, or must not exceed €360,000 if one lottery is held in any year;
- value of each prize must be stated on the ticket, or prominently displayed where the lottery is conducted (if on-site);
- not more than 25% of total proceeds must be used on expenses of the lottery not more than 75% of total proceeds should be allocated for prizes.
How much does this application cost
There is a fee of €150 per application.
How to prepare
Before completing the application, please review the details you will need to provide:
- Details of the applicant e.g. name, role in the organisation ("Particulars of character of the applicant")
- Number of lotteries already in operation in the area on a similar basis e.g. weekly club lotto for local tennis club ("Periodical lotteries already in operation in the locality")
- Purpose of the lottery e.g. to raise funds for a new pitch, to cover club maintenance costs. Make sure to included the club's official name here ("Purpose of the lottery (including name of any intended beneficiary)")
- How the lottery is intended to operate e.g. online draw or in-person, in addition to frequency e.g. weekly, monthly ("How the lottery is intended to operate (including frequency)"
- The nature and value of each of the prizes and the total value of prizes
- The amount or proportion of the proceeds intended to be devoted to the expenses of promotion
- The proportion of the proceeds intended to be allocated to prizes
- The proportion of the proceeds intended to be allocated to a charitable or philanthropic purposes.
How to apply
1. Complete your application
Complete Form 66.3 manually or online using CSOL (legal practitioners only).
2. Serve the notice parties
Notify or serve the relevant notice parties for the application. Please see our serving and proof of service page for more information.
For this application the notice parties are;
- An Garda Síochána must be notified at least twenty eight days prior to the court date.
- The Fire Authority or Officer must be notified at least one month prior to the court date.
3. Submit your application
Submit the application. The application must be lodged at least seven days prior to the court date.
4. Provide proofs to the court office
Provide the required supporting documentation or "proofs" to the court office. This must be done manually, there is currently no possibility to upload the proofs listed below via CSOL.
What proofs are required
- Original notice of application with relevant stamp duty.
- Statutory declaration of service (Not required where the application is served through CSOL).
What happens when the application is heard in court
When making a decision, the District Court will consider:
- The character of the applicant;
- The number of periodical lotteries already in operation in the locality;
- The purpose of the lottery.
The District Court will either grant the application and issue the licence or refuse the application. A licence cannot be granted for a period in excess of 12 months.
