COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN HOSPICE PROMOTIONS LIMITED

Transcription

1 COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN HOSPICE PROMOTIONS LIMITED Policy Document September 2011

2 Introduction Countess Mountbatten Hospice Promotions Limited operates a Society Lottery for the general public in West End, Southampton and the surrounding area, for the sole purpose of raising funds for Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity Ltd. We are committed to ensuring that the lottery is operated in a secure, fair and socially responsible way and to endorsing responsible gambling amongst its members. The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the public interest. The regulatory framework introduced by the Gambling Act 2005 is based on a number of key licensing objectives: 1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder, being associated with crime and disorder, or being used to support crime. 2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way. 3. Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling. 4. Ensuring that the regulations surrounding lottery operating license are adhered to. This document sets out the Society s policies and procedures for ensuring we approach any gambling activities in a socially responsible way. Lottery staff are familiar with this document and read it upon appointment and every six months thereafter. 1. Preventing gambling from being a source of crime and disorder When an individual joins the lottery we will check that: The individual is aged 16 or over. The individual is a resident in the UK. We do not suspect money laundering in any way, in line with the Proceeds of Crime Act. We also retain the right to cancel any membership should we suspect criminal activity. The maximum number of entries is limited to 20 per person per week. We will notify the Gambling Commission of the occurrence of any key events that could have a significant impact on the nature or structure of our operation. Cash handling. As part of our internal controls and financial accounting systems, we have in place policies and procedures concerning the handling of cash, and cash equivalents (i.e. bankers drafts and cheques), designed to minimise the risk of crimes such as money laundering, to avoid the giving of illicit credit and to provide assurance that gambling activities are being conducted fairly.

3 2. Ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way We will ensure that: Players have access to clear information on matters such as the rules of the lottery, the prizes that are available and the chances of winning. The rules are fair. Any advertising and promotional material is clear and not misleading. The results are made public. A complaints procedure is in place including an independent arbitration service. If we make available to any customer or potential customer any incentive, reward scheme or other arrangement under which the customer may receive money, goods, services or any other advantage, the circumstances in which and conditions subject to which the benefit is available will be: a) Clearly set out and readily accessible to the customers to whom it is offered. b) Neither the receipt nor the value or amount of the benefit will be dependent on the customer gambling for a pre-determined length of time, or with a pre-determined frequency, or altered or increased if the qualifying activity or spend is reached within a shorter time than the whole period over which the benefit is offered. c) If the value of the benefit increases with the amount the customer spends it does so at a rate no greater than that at which the amount spent increases. d) If the benefit comprises free or subsidised travel or accommodation which facilitates the customer s attendance at particular licensed premises the terms on which it is offered are not directly related to the level of the customer s prospective gambling. With a view to minimising the risk of fraud, the Society will adopt one or more of the following measures: a) Prohibit the unsolicited mailing of tickets to non-members of the promoting society. b) Limit the value of tickets sent to any one address which is not that of a member of the promoting society to 20. c) Maintain records of tickets distributed and not returned. 3. Protecting children and vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling We will endeavor to address the following issues: Under Age Gambling. It is illegal for individuals under the age of 16 to enter into a lottery. We reserve the right to ask for proof of age from any customer and accounts may be suspended until satisfactory proof of age is provided. If for any reason an individual is unable to prove upon winning, that they are 16 or over, then winnings will be forfeited.

4 Gambling Limits. The Charity imposes a limit on the value of lottery entries that can be purchased by an individual to 20 per person per week. Self-Exclusion. On request, we will close any player s lottery membership(s) with immediate effect for a minimum period of six months (with the option of extending this to a total of at least five years) during which time the membership(s) cannot be reinstated. During this period we will try to ensure that the individual does not open a new membership and will not target the individual with any marketing material. After this time, the exclusion will remain in place unless the member takes positive action to rejoin the lottery via telephone or in person. In this case a further 24 hour cooling off period is required before membership can be reinstated. Access to Player History. We will provide any player with a full history of their lottery membership, including complete payment and winnings history upon request. Problem Gambling. We will provide contact details or links on any lottery websites or via other appropriate media to GamCare and other relevant/appropriate support organisations. We also provide financial support to the Responsible Gambling Trust which raises funds to support the research, education and treatment of problem gambling. Our commitment to our potential and existing members means we actively encourage responsible gambling and therefore abide by the following statement: Responsible Gambling Whilst the majority of people do gamble within their means, for some, gambling can become a problem. It may help you to keep control to remember the following: Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way of making money. Avoid chasing losses. Only gamble what you can afford to lose. Keep track of the time and amount you spend gambling. If you want to have a break from gambling you can obtain a self-exclusion form by ing info@cmhcharity.org.uk or calling We will then close your membership(s) for a minimum period of 6 months, during which time it will not be possible for the account(s) to be re-opened for any reason. If you want to talk to someone about problem gambling, contact GamCare on for confidential telephone support and counseling. Problem Gambling If you are concerned that gambling may have taken over your life (or someone else s), the following questions may help you find out: Do you stay away from work, college or school to gamble? Do you gamble to escape from a boring or unhappy life?

5 When you are gambling and run out of money, do you feel lost and in despair and need to gamble again as soon as possible? Do you gamble until your last penny is gone, even the fare home or the cost of a cup of tea? Have you ever lied to cover up the amount of money or time you have spent gambling? Have others ever criticised your gambling? Have you lost interest in your family, friends or hobbies? After losing, do you feel you must try and win back your losses as soon as possible? Do arguments, frustrations or disappointments make you want to gamble? Do you feel depressed or even suicidal because of your gambling? The more you answer yes to these questions, the more likely you are to have a serious gambling problem. To speak to someone about this contact the GamCare confidential helpline on (local rate from the UK) or visit their website for further information. 4. Ensuring that regulations surrounding lottery operating licenses are adhered to We will ensure that the proceeds of the lottery do not exceed 4,000,000 per calendar year and that at least 20% of the proceeds will be applied to Countess Mountbatten Hospice Charity; the purpose for which the lottery is conducted. Our lottery rules ensure that: It is not possible for the purchaser of a lottery ticket to win more than 25,000. That membership of the class among whom prizes are allocated does not depend on making any payment, other than payment of the price of a ticket. The lottery is not linked to any other lottery, free draw or prize competition. Each person who purchases a ticket in the lottery will receive a document which: Identifies Countess Mountbatten Hospice Promotions Ltd as the promoting society. States the name and address of the person responsible for the promotion of the lottery. Enables the date of the draw (or each draw) in the lottery to be determined. Displays that we are licensed with the Gambling Commission. The price payable for purchasing each ticket: Must be the same ( 1 each). Must be shown on the ticket or document received by the purchaser. Must be paid to the promoter of the lottery before any person is given a ticket or any right in respect of membership of the class among whom prizes are to be allocated.

6 Please note, payments by credit card are not accepted. Lottery tickets will not be sold to any person in the street, however, tickets may be sold by a person present in a kiosk or shop premises having no space for the accommodation of customers or door to door. Countess Mountbatten Hospice Promotions Ltd Registered office: Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB Company Registered in England No: