How to Obtain a Lottery Licence in Western Australia (WA)

If you're planning to run a national lottery that includes entries from Western Australia, there are specific regulatory requirements to be aware of.

In WA, all lotteries and raffles conducted for fundraising purposes fall under the Gaming and Wagering Commission Act 1987, overseen by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC). Applications for permits must be submitted through the Racing, Gaming and Liquor (RGL) division of the department.

Key Considerations:

• Lead Time: A minimum of 30 days' notice is required. Ensure your application is submitted at least 30 days before your planned start date.

• First-Time Lotteries: If this is your first time operating a lottery in WA, the DLGSC will conduct an independent verification as part of the approval process.

Eligibility

Only non-profit organisations can apply for fundraising lottery permits. This includes:

• Charities

• Sporting clubs

• Religious organisations

• Community or cultural groups

• Educational institutions

Do You Need a Permit?

Application Process for a Standard Lottery Permit

All applications for lottery permits in Western Australia must be submitted via the online portal provided by the Racing, Gaming and Liquor (RGL) division. This digital platform streamlines the application process and ensures that all required documentation is lodged efficiently. Before submitting, make sure you’ve reviewed the eligibility criteria and gathered all necessary supporting materials to avoid delays in processing.

Step 1: Prepare Required Information

Before starting your application, ensure you have the following details ready:

Organisation Details

• Name of the organisation

• ABN or Incorporation Number

• Constitution (if available)

• ASIC registration details

• Documentation proving your organisation is a legitimate charitable entity

Providing comprehensive information can expedite the application process.

Permit Holder Contact Details

• Full name and contact information of the individual responsible for the lottery

  • Note: This should be someone involved in the administration of the organisation, not necessarily the person submitting the application.

Organisation's Address

• Postal Address

• Street Address

• Contact Details (phone number and email)

Lottery Details

• Start and End Dates for ticket sales

• Ticket Price and Total Quantity of tickets

• List of Prizes with their respective values

• Terms and Conditions of the lottery

  • Providing this for first-time applications is advisable.

• Draw Details:

  • Date and Time of the draw

  • Method of the draw

  • Location: e.g., Jumbo Interactive address

  • Public Accessibility: Confirm if the draw is open to the public

• High-Value Prizes:

  • For prizes valued at $30,000 or more, submit a bank guarantee or proof of purchase (invoices, contracts, fund transfers) to demonstrate ownership

• Ticket Sales Platform:

  • Confirm if tickets will be sold online, e.g., via the Jumbo Lottery Platform (JLP)

• Use of Proceeds:

  • Clearly state how the funds will benefit the community, e.g., "support charitable services of the Save the Bees Foundation"

Third-Party Resellers

• If you have a third-party reseller in WA (in-person or online), indicate this and provide a copy of the contract

Permit Holder Details

• Nominate an individual within the organisation who will be responsible for the lottery (e.g., a nominee in VIC)

Document Submission

• If you're not submitting documents online, ensure they are sent through the appropriate channels as specified by the DLGSC

Step 2: Submit the Application Online

1. Access the Online Portal:

   • Visit the DLGSC Online Portal

2. Create an Account:

   • If you don't have an account, register by providing the necessary details

3. Start a New Application:

   • Click on New Lodgement

   • Select Gaming from the Group dropdown menu

   • Choose Standard Lottery Permit Application from the Type dropdown menu

   • Click Submit

4. Complete the Application Form:

   • Fill in all required fields with the prepared information

   • Use the navigation pane on the left or the Prev and Next buttons to move through the form

   • Save your progress regularly using the Save button

5. Submit the Application:

   • Once all sections are completed, click Submit

   • A Client Reference Number will be generated for your records

Note: Ensure your application is submitted at least 30 days before the intended start date of ticket sales.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

• After submitting the application, you'll be directed to the payment section

• Application fees are payable online through the portal

• Refer to the DLGSC Fees and Charges for the current fee schedule

Step 4: Submit Financial Returns

• Deadline: Financial returns must be submitted within 14 days after the draw

• Information Required:

  • Number of tickets sold

  • Gross proceeds from the draw

  • Prize payment details

• Submission:

  • Returns are submitted via the DLGSC Online Portal

• Note: While audited returns are not mandatory, especially for large lotteries, it's advisable to submit estimated financial returns within 14 to 21 days post-draw and follow up with audited returns if necessary. Delayed returns can impact the approval of future permits.

Fees

• Fee schedule available here:
  Gaming Permit Fees – DLGSC

• Fees may vary for continuing or trade promotion lotteries.

Compliance and Conduct Rules

• Ticketing Requirements:

  • All tickets must include:

    • Ticket number

    • Price

    • List of prizes and values

    • Draw date, time, location

    • Name of organisation and permit holder

    • Permit number

• Draw Conditions:

  • All tickets must be included in the draw.

  • Draws must be conducted fairly and transparently.

  • Prizes must be delivered within 30 days.

• Recordkeeping:

  • Records must be retained for 12 months after the draw.

Resources and Guides

📞 Contact Details

Gaming and Wagering Commission WA
📍 Level 2, 140 William Street, Perth WA 6000
📬 PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
📧 rgl@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
📞 (08) 6551 4888
🌐 dlgsc.wa.gov.au

Interstate or National Lotteries

If you intend to promote or sell tickets in multiple states (including WA), you must also comply with each state’s laws. Jumbo Interactive can help streamline this process with multi-jurisdictional compliance support.