A new online lottery will be set up by South Oxfordshire District Council to raise funds for local community groups and charities.
The council’s cabinet gave the go ahead last week for a community lottery to be launched, following the success of other council-run schemes elsewhere.
It will give residents the chance to enter a £1 weekly online draw and be in with the chance of winning prizes, ranging from free prize draw tickets to a £25,000 jackpot. Each ticket bought has a 1 in 56 chance of winning a prize.
From each £1 ticket bought, nearly 60p will go to local good causes.
Eligible community groups and charities in South Oxfordshire will be able to apply to become beneficiaries. Players will be able to choose which cause they support, or opt to pay into a general fund which will be allocated by the council to local good causes.
The council is now working to get the lottery set up early next year.
Cllr Elizabeth Gillespie, South Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet member for grants, said: “Our Council already gives around £1.5 million through grants to voluntary and community groups in South Oxfordshire and there is great demand for financial support. While we’re proud to continue giving these grants, we believe the online lottery will be a great way of raising money within the community for the community. Residents will have the chance to get involved in supporting local causes and to see their money being put to good use.”
The first council-run community lottery was set up by Aylesbury Vale District Council in November 2015 and has so far raised £110,000 for good causes.
South Oxfordshire District Council is working with Aylesbury Vale to set up its scheme and will use the same external lottery manager to run it on its behalf.
Further details about how to register for the scheme will be issued closer to the launch.
