Definition of a race night
Race nights are events in which participants stake money on the outcome of recorded races and where the selection is totally dependent on chance and where no "odds" or "form" are available to assist the selection.
Proceeds go to purposes of the organisation or a charitable purpose but are not for private gain or commercial purposes.
How to run a race night
It is usual to run a race night as an amusement with prizes under section 15 of the Lotteries and Amusement Act 1976.
The race night must not be the sole attraction and must be part of an exempt entertainment such as a bazaar, sales of work, fete, dinner dance, sporting events or similar gatherings.
There are certain conditions set out in section 15, which must be observed when promoting and conducting a race night as an 'amusement with prizes at an exempt entertainment'. These are listed below.
- The race night must not be the only, or only substantial, inducements to persons to attend the entertainment.
- The whole proceeds of the entertainment, after deducting the expenses of the entertainment, must be devoted to purposes other than private gain
- The hire of any machinery to run the race night can be defrayed from the proceeds but not if it is made in some way dependent upon the extent to which the equipment is used. For instance profit sharing arrangements between equipment manufactures, hirers and promoters would not be allowed.
Registration requirements
There are no registration requirements.
NB. DCMS cannot give authoritative legal advice about every possibility in this area. We strongly advise any individual or company seeking to set up these or any other types of Fundraising events to seek independent legal advice.
