On this page you can read the rules to the Mencap Weekly Lottery and Mencap Raffle, as well as some of our responsible gambling advice.

We've also stated our fairness and openness policy, and our complaints policy.

Lottery and Raffle rules

The Mencap Weekly Lottery and Mencap Raffle are licenced by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005 (Lottery Licence number 20259, Raffle Licence number 20259)

Website : www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk
Promoter: Mencap
Responsible Persons: Foong-Yee Cross and Jacqueline O'Sullivan.
Registered Charity Number: 222377 (England and Wales); SC041079 (Scotland)
Registered office address: Mencap, 6 Cyrus Way, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8HP

Terms and conditions

1.1 The Lottery will be operated as a subscription based Society Lottery under the Gambling Act 2005 as amended (“the Act”)

1.2 The Lottery is promoted by the Promoter and conducted for the benefit of the Society.

1.3 The Lottery is administered by Sterling Management Centre Limited (“Sterling”) Drydale House, Newton-in-Furness, Cumbria LA13 0NB acting for the Society.

1.4 Sterling is certified as an External Lottery Manager (“ELM”) by the Gambling Commission (account numbers 003137)

1.5 These Rules apply to playing members of the Lottery.

Entry into the lottery

3.1 The Lottery is promoted in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005 as amended (“the Act”). In order to comply with the Act, and to purchase Chances you will be required to confirm that

  • (a) You are at least 18 years of age
  • (b) You will not buy or claim to buy lottery chances on behalf of any other person

3.2 If, upon winning any prize in the Lottery, you are not able to prove that you have met the criteria specified in Rules 3.1 (a) and (b) above then you will not be entitled to receive that prize.

3.3 In order to comply with the Act Chances that have been purchased and entered into the correct Draw cannot be refunded.

3.4 By entering into the Lottery you agree to be bound by these Rules, and the applicable provisions of the Act and/or any relevant regulations made thereunder from time to time.

3.5 Neither the Society and/or Sterling shall be liable for any loss or damage (including loss of the opportunity to enter the Lottery and / or the right to receive a prize) suffered by you if you have not complied with the Rules.

3.6 The maximum number of entries an individual will be permitted to purchase in any one draw is £20.

3.7 The Rules may be amended by either the Society and/or Sterling from time to time and any changes will be posted on the website.

 

Registration into the lottery 

4.1 You can only enter the Lottery by the completion of a valid application form which may be published in a variety of forms from time to time.

4.2 A valid registration is one which includes the following information, together with the information set out in clauses 4.3 and 4.4 below:

  • (a) Your name and address, so that we can write to you to confirm your entry into the lottery and contact you if you have won a prize.
  • (b) Confirmation that you are over 18 years of age (in order to ensure compliance with the Act).
  • (c) The number of Chances in the Lottery you wish to purchase

4.3 You will also be asked to provide the following information:

  • (a) Your contact telephone number.
  • (b) Your date of birth
  • (c) Your mobile phone number
  • (d) Your e-mail address

4.4 You will also be required to provide payment information relating to the purchase of your Chances. Payment may be made via the following methods and the relevant information which you must provide will vary depending upon the payment method.

  • (a) Direct Debit
    • (i) Information required will include your bank or building society details together with an instruction to such bank or building society to make payments by Direct Debit.
  • (b) Cheque
    • (i) A completed signed and dated cheque would be required when your register. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted.
  • (c) Debit Card
    • (i) Information required will include card number, expiry date and card security number.
  • (d) Any other payment method made available by the Society and/or Sterling from time to time
    • (i) The information required will depend upon the payment method

4.5 The Society shall be entitled to take any steps necessary to verify the above information and to process your registration. The Society and/or Sterling may refuse to accept an application for an individual to become a Member of the Lottery.

4.6 Following registration you will be sent confirmation of your entry to the Lottery. If you have chosen to pay by Direct Debit you will receive an advance notification letter.

4.7 The confirmation will specify your Game Number(s) and will confirm your name, address and any other details provided as part of your registration.

4.8 It is your responsibility to ensure that the personal information you provide to us is accurate and the Society and/or Sterling cannot be held liable for any error.

4.9 If you discover any error in your name, address or any other details provided to us as part of your registration when you receive your confirmation then you must correct this by notifying Sterling in writing or by e-mail as detailed in clause 14. Sterling will make any required corrections as soon as reasonably possible. Neither the Society and/or Sterling shall be liable for any loss or damage (including loss of the opportunity to enter the Lottery and / or the right to receive a prize) suffered by you until such correction has been made. Any correction notified to the Society and/or Sterling shall only become effective once the correction has been made.

4.10 Each Game Number is unique. A randomly selected Game Number will be issued to you with your confirmation of entry. You may subsequently request an alternative Game Number if you wish at any time and this will be issued to you providing that it has not already been allocated to an existing Member.

Payment 

5.1 Payment for Chances may be made by the following methods as more particularly set out in clause 4.4:

  • (a) Direct Debit
  • (b) Cheque
  • (c) Debit Card
  • (c) Any other method made available from time to time

5.2 Where payment for Chances are made directly, the following applies:

  • (a) Direct Debit payments will be referenced as either Sterling or Unity on your bank statement.
  • (b) Cheques must be made payable to Unity.
  • (c) Debit Card payments will be referenced as Unity on your card statement.
  • (d) Any other method made available from time to time would also be referenced as or be payable to Sterling or Unity on any appropriate documentation.

5.3 The price for each Chance is £1 or such other sum as may from time to time be notified to you.

5.4 Your Chances and therefore associated Game Number(s) will not be entered into the Draw unless Sterling has received all amounts payable (cleared funds) relating to your Game Numbers by 5:00pm on the Thursday of that weeks Draw. If there is a dispute regarding whether Chances have been paid for then such dispute shall be resolved by reference to payment details and records held by Sterling’s bankers and BACs.

5.4.1 Chances paid for by Direct Debit payments will be entered into the first available Draw taking place after the third working day after the Direct Debit collection has been made from your bank account.

5.5 You may cancel your membership of the Lottery at any time by notifying Sterling in writing or by e-mail (or via any other methods notified to you by Sterling from time to time). Upon receipt of this notice Sterling will cancel future direct debit payments as soon as is reasonably practicable.

5.6 The Society and/or Sterling may cancel your entry into the Lottery at any time. You will be notified accordingly as soon as reasonably practicable and will be reimbursed any amounts which have been paid but which relate to future Draws. Other than the reimbursement of any such amounts, neither the Society and/or Sterling shall be liable for any loss or damage (including loss of the opportunity to enter the Lottery and / or the right to receive a prize) suffered by you in relation to such cancellation.

5.7 All customer funds for use in future lottery entries paid to the Lottery are held in trustee status to maintain a separation from our own trading income. This protects customer funds in the event of insolvency.

This meets the Gambling Commission’s requirement for the segregation of customer funds at the level: medium protection. www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/for-the-public/Your-rights/Protection-of-customer-funds.aspx

 

Changes to member details 

6.1 Any changes to your details should be notified to Sterling in writing or by e-mail as soon as practicable as detailed in clause 14. Changes to the bank or building society specified during registration may require the completion of a new Direct Debit Instruction. Further information regarding this can be obtained from Sterling upon request.

6.2 Neither the Society and/or Sterling can be held liable for any losses occasioned as a result of you failing to comply with clause 6.1.

 

Draws

7.1 The Draw takes place each week on a Friday at Sterling’s premises.

7.2 The Winning Number for each weekly Draw shall be the winning six digit number generated by Sterling’s Random Number Generator

7.3 In order to comply with the Act only those Chances for which payment has been received are eligible for entry into the Draw.

7.4 The winning probabilities are summarised in the table below

  • Six Number Match - 1 in 1,000,000
  • Five Number Match - 1 in 18,518
  • Four Number Match - 1 in 823
  • Three Number Match - 1 in 69

 

Prizes

8.1 Prize-winners will be determined by whether a Members Game Number relating to a Chance in the Lottery matches all or some of the Winning Number as described in Rule 7.2

  • (a) If all six digits of the Game Number match the Winning Number and their positions then this is a “6 Number Match”.
  • (b) If five digits of the Game Number match five digits of the Winning Number and their positions in the Game Number match their positions in the Winning Number then this is a “5 Number Match”
  • (c) If four digits of the Game Number match four digits of the Winning Number and their positions match then this is a “4 Number Match”
  • (d) If three digits of the Game Number match three digits of the Winning Number and their positions match then this is a “3 Number Match”

8.2 Prizes are issued as follows:

  • (a) For a 6 Number Match the prize will be £25,000.
  • (b) For a 5 Number Match the prize will be £1,000.
  • (c) For a 4 Number Match the prize will be £25.
  • (d) For a 3 Number Match the prize will be 5 additional entries into the next available draw.

8.3 Sterling reserves the right to amend the prizes at any time. Any such changes will be published on the Society and/or Unity Lottery website at least one month prior to a change being made.

8.4 Each Game Number shall only be entitled to win one prize in one Draw. The prize won will relate to the highest Number Match to which the Game Number matches.

8.5 The results of each Draw will be published on the Society and/or Unity Lottery website within one week of the date of the Draw and may also be published in any other manner determined by the Society and/or Sterling from time to time.

8.6 Winners will be notified by post or e-mail within two weeks of the date of the Draw.

8.7 The prize may be issued via a cheque or a direct credit to the value of the prize won made payable to the Member or in the case of a three number match notification of your five additional entries.

8.8 Sterling reserves the right to withhold the payment of any prize until it is entirely satisfied that the Member who has won the prize has fully complied with the Rules.

8.9 If, upon winning any prize in the Lottery, you are not able to prove that you have met the criteria specified in Rules 3.1 (a) and (b) above then you will not be entitled to receive that prize.

8.10 There are no alternatives to the prizes offered from time to time and no interest is payable. However a player may request to change any future 5 additional entries prizes for a £5 prize upon written request. Or revert back to 5 additional entries again upon written request.

8.11 Any uncashed cheque prizes after a period of six months has elapsed will be forfeited.

Responsible gambling

The majority of people gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:

  • You are buying for fun, not investing your money.
  • Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you are going to spend.
  • Quit while you are ahead.
  • Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
  • Do not spend more money on gambling with the hope of winning back money you have lost.
  • Keep up other interests and hobbies - do not let gambling take over your life.
  • Do not gamble to escape from stress or boredom.
  • Gambling in moderation is okay.

For some people, however, gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling and feel it is taking over your life (or if you are concerned for a friend or relative) then the following questions may help to give you some guidance :

  • Have others ever criticised your gambling?
  • Have you ever lied to cover up the amount you have gambled or time you have spent doing it?
  • Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble?
  • Do you gamble alone for long periods?
  • Do you stay away from work or college to gamble?
  • Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?
  • Are you reluctant to spend ‘gambling money' on anything else?
  • Have you lost interest in your family, friends or pastimes due to gambling?
  • After losing, do you feel you must try to win back your losses as soon as possible?
  • When gambling and you run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair and need to gamble again as soon as possible?
  • Do you gamble until your last penny is gone?
  • Have you lied, stolen or borrowed just to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts?
  • Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling?

If you feel you are answering more ‘yes' than ‘no' to the above questions, then it is likely a gambling problem exists.

If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling, you can Self Exclude from Mencap gaming communications online by emailing info@unitylottery.co.uk.

Contact details

For friendly and helpful advice on gambling from trained counsellors, contact the GamCare helpline on 0845 600 0133.

The helpline is open 24 hours a day. Sometimes just telling someone about your problem can be a relief and it is often the first step towards dealing with your problem.

You can also visit the GamCare website for more information and advice.

 

Self exclusion

11.1 Should you feel that you have issues with gambling and wish to be self excluded from our Lottery please phone our helpline number and request a self exclusion form

11.2 There is a minimum period of 6 months self exclusion.

11.3 We will not target you with any marketing material during the self exclusion period and will remove your name and details from any marketing databases used by ourselves.

11.4 During your self exclusion your account will be closed and any funds held on your behalf will be returned to you. You will need to contact Sterling after your period of self exclusion to re-instate your membership of the Lottery.

Fairness and openness policy

Mencap is committed to ensuring that all lottery and raffle activity is operated and conducted in a secure, fair, and socially responsible way, actively endorsing responsible gambling amongst its supporters.

Every lottery and every raffle has a strict set of rules that also form the Terms and Conditions (see above), and are made available permanently to all customers, both online and upon request.

Winners will first be notified by phone, and subsequently in writing if contact cannot be established. Winning results are published online within one week of the draw to ensure that any customer can access the information. This information is also available on request.

Whilst every effort will be made to contact winners, any prizes unclaimed 90 days after the draw date will be donated to Mencap on the winner’s behalf.

On occasion, Mencap uses specialist fundraising companies to contact our supporters and offer them opportunities to support Mencap's vital work.

Should you have concerns that a fundraiser is not legitimate or comments about their conduct please call our supporter care team on 0845 077 0777

In the event of a complaint or dispute, the procedures and guidelines outlined in the Complaints and Disputes Policy should be referred to by the supporter. These procedures are available on Mencap’s website, or upon request.

Mencap is a registered charity in England and Wales (222377), as well as in Scotland (SC041079).

Entry and ticket processing:

  • Lottery

The closing date for any entry into a weekly lottery is at 5pm on the Thursday before the draw. Any later entries will be automatically entered into the next available draw.

The closing date for lottery entries is advertised on the tickets, typically one week before the draw. Any entries received after the closing date are treated as donations.

  • Raffle

The closing date for raffle entries is advertised on the tickets. Any entries received after the closing date are treated as donations.

Information on Lottery and Raffle Tickets

Tickets and prizes are distributed under the assumption that:

  • no ticket has been bought or sold by anyone under 18 years of age
  • no ticket has been sold in the street
  • all proceeds from the sales of tickets have been transferred to Mencap.

If any of the above conditions are not met, the player automatically forfeits the right to any prize.

Gambling Commission

Mencap is registered with the Gambling Commission under the most recent iteration of the Gambling Act (Operating Licence 000-020259-N-303264-015 and Ancillary Remote Operating Licence 000-020259-A-313875-007)

Mencap only uses a Random Number Generator that has been licenced by the Gambling Commission as a part of the Gambling Software supplied by licenced organisations. Lottery and raffle draws are conducted at the External Lottery Manager’s (ELM) premises.

All profits from lotteries and raffles are used to fund Mencap’s vital work.

If you feel you are gambling more than you should, helpful information is outlined in the Responsible Gambling section of our Lottery and Raffle Policy, and through our supporter care team, who are contactable on 0845 077 0777, or at supportercare@mencap.org.uk.

Staff Entry and Incentives Policy

All Mencap and ELM staff are allowed to purchase weekly lottery entries and raffle entries, provided they are not directly involved in the promotion or administration of the lottery and raffle.

Complaints and disputes policy

Mencap will only conduct their lottery and raffles with an External Lotteries Manager (ELM) registered with the Gambling Commission.

However, we recognise that there may be times when our supporters who take part in lotteries and raffles may wish to raise concerns about problems they have encountered.

Staff will ensure that supporters are told the correct information of the person to contact in the event of a complaint. All complaints will be brought to the attention of the direct marketing team.

Mencap will:

  1. Make this Complaints and Disputes Procedure available to a potential or actual customer ("the customer") via Mencap’s website, or upon request.
  2. Handle all complaints in accordance with this Complaints and Disputes Procedure
  3. Advise the Gambling Commission on the status of all disputes that are referred to the Promoter (see below).

Complaints Procedure

The below procedure will be initiated after the supporter contacts Mencap’s Supporter Care Team. 

Stage 1

  1. If you wish to register a complaint or a dispute with us, contact our Supporter Care team on 0845 077 0777, or email supportercare@mencap.org.uk.
  2. Any problems or concerns that are brought to Mencap's attention will be formally recorded within the Lottery or Raffle Complaints Log, initially as an 'incident', for Mencap’s future analysis.
  3. We aim to respond as soon as possible, normally within five days. If the investigation of the complaint is likely to take longer than five days, we will contact you to let you know the proposed timescales and next steps.
  4. We will contact you to let you know the outcome of your complaint and any actions we have taken as a result of this.

Stage 2

  1. If you are unhappy with the resolution of your complaint, we will escalate the complaint internally to the Individual Giving Lead, who will liaise with the Director of Fundraising to set out a mutually agreeable resolution.
  2. The matter will be escalated to a 'dispute', if applicable.
  3. You will be sent an acknowledgement of the escalation of your complaint in writing within 48 hours of us receiving it, and an investigation of your complaint will then begin.
  4. Every effort will be made to complete this investigation within seven days of receipt.
  5. We will then contact you with our findings, recommendations, and proposed actions.

Stage 3

  1. If you are still not satisfied, we will escalate the matter further to the The Fundraising Regulator and Gambling Commission.
  2. The Fundraising Regulator or Gambling Commission will consider your complaint in light of the Fundraising Promise and the Institute of Fundraising's codes of fundraising practice.
  3. The conclusions drawn by The Fundraising Regulator or Gambling Commission are final.
  4. A copy of each decision or a note of the outcome of, each dispute referred to The Fundraising Regulator will be provided to the Gambling Commission quarterly by Mencap.

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