Racing Nights - are they legal?

Yes. A Night at the Races is in fact a lottery. The race films are just a way of randomly choosing a winning number, and the tote tickets are 'chances' in a lottery in which nobody knows which number will win.

In the Lotteries and Amusements Act of 1976, a Night at the Races can be run under two sections.

If you run your Night at the Races as a "Private Lottery", participation in the event should be limited to the members of your club, charity or organisation. The proceeds of the event must be for the purposes of the club or charity (after deducting expenses) and not for private gain. Your advertising posters must only be displayed on the club premises. You must not sell tote tickets through the post, and the event must be held in a room where the public can be excluded.

If you run your Night at the Races as an "Amusement with Prizes", the lottery cannot be the only substantial inducement for people to attend the event. For instance, the lottery must be combined with another genuine attraction such as dinner, buffet, disco, quiz night, cabaret, fashion show etc.

As above, the proceeds of the entertainment, after deducting expenses, must be for purposes other than private gain. Finally, the event must be advertised to show the other attraction too.

This information is only a guide. If you need further clarification, you should consult the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.

Andy Smith Presents accept no responsibility or liability for the way in which the event is organised and conducted.