A new lottery scheme to support community groups could be launched in Wokingham.

The plans, which would bring financial benefits to good causes and residents, will be discussed by the decision-making executive on Thursday, October 31.

Funds raised by the community lottery scheme would be split between charities, interest clubs, voluntary organisations, and the winning ticket holders.

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The types of organisations that would be eligible to benefit from the community lottery scheme would be defined by the council to ensure alignment with its values and priorities.

If agreed by the executive, the scheme would be managed by Gatherwell Ltd.

Similar schemes already operate within Berkshire, including the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Reading, and Bracknell Forest, as well as other authority areas in the country.

For every £1 ticket bought, 60p will go to local organisations, either directly or through grant funding, with 18p going towards cash prizes.

This means that for individual lottery players, they would have two options for how the 60p of their purchase is distributed – either the entire 60p could go to the Wokingham Borough Council central fund to be distributed amongst the eligible charities and organisations, or 50p could go to a specified cause chosen by the player with the remaining 10p allocated to the central fund.

A further 18p will go to Gatherwell Ltd, which would run the lottery, while the remaining 4p would go on VAT.

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In comparison, the percentage of each ticket sale that goes to good causes in other lotteries is National Lottery – 28 per cent; Postcode Lottery: 33 per cent and Health Lottery: 20 per cent.

Although community lotteries are classed as ‘incentivised giving’ by the Gambling Commission and the lowest risk of addiction, safeguards would be in place within the Wokingham Borough.

These include limiting the number of tickets purchased, no cash sales, random proof of age checks, while anyone suspected of having a gambling problem, would be referred to GambleAware.

Executive member for finance and governance, Councillor Imogen Shepherd-DuBey, said: "By launching a community lottery scheme it will enhance our ability to support the voluntary and community sector which will bring huge benefits to our residents.

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"Every single ticket bought would make a real difference to local projects and initiatives.

"It would help put money towards good causes and community funds – both proceeds and winnings will go directly to local causes and to our residents."

If approved by the executive, it is hoped the community lottery scheme would be launched in April 2025.