Second reading of Gambling Act 2005 (Monetary Limits for Lotteries) Bill adjourned

The second reading of the Gambling Act 2005 (Monetary Limits for Lotteries) Bill has been adjourned until 29 May 2026, extending the timetable for parliamentary scrutiny of proposed reforms to the financial framework governing society lotteries.

The House of Commons began considering the Bill on 24 January 2025, but the debate was not completed before the end of the sitting. As a result, the session was formally adjourned and will resume next year, leaving the Bill at an early stage in its passage.

The Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Wendy Chamberlain MP, seeks to remove monetary limits on proceeds from the mandatory conditions of lottery operating licences. These limits, set under the Gambling Act 2005, cap the maximum proceeds per lottery, annual aggregate proceeds and prize values. They were originally designed to preserve a clear distinction between society lotteries and the National Lottery, but many charities and fundraising bodies argue that the thresholds are outdated and restrict their ability to raise funds for good causes.

If enacted, the Bill would modernise these limits and give society lotteries greater flexibility in how they operate. Its future progress will depend on parliamentary time, cross‑party support and the Government’s position on changes to lottery regulation.

Members can track the Bill’s progress via the Institute of Licensing’s legislation tracker: https://instituteoflicensing.org/legislation-tracker/.