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Clinton backs People's Postcode Lottery law change

Holly Fleck
BBC News NI
Getty Images Hillary Clinton has short blonde hair which is curled in at the bottom. She has a black top on and is wearing makeup as she holds a black microphone.Getty Images
Hillary Clinton is the Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast

Changes in the law around charity lotteries could bring in "vital new funding into Northern Ireland's civil society", Hillary Clinton has said.

A video message from the Chancellor of Queen's University Belfast and former US secretary of state will be played to a People's Postcode Lottery reception in Stormont on Tuesday.

It comes after Alliance assembly member Sian Mulholland launched a consultation, seeking views on her Private Members Lotteries for Communities Bill, which aims to expand charity lottery fundraising in Northern Ireland.

However, the operator of the National Lottery in Northern Ireland, Allwyn UK, has warned against "industrial-scale society lotteries".

Mulholland's consultation states "there may be concerns about the potential risks associated with gambling, and its impact on individuals and communities," and it is seeking to gauge opinions from the public on the matter.

Mulholland's proposal is a Non-Executive Bill - in this case, a Private Members Bill introduced by an individual MLA.

They offer individual MLAs the chance to introduce legislation independently from the Executive departments, but follow the same scrutiny process as Executive Bills following introduction.

'Huge untapped potential'

In the video message, Clinton speaks about her and former US President Bill Clinton's view of the charity sector in Northern Ireland and across the world.

"Through our visits to Northern Ireland over the years, we know how vital the charity sector and civil society are," she said.

"When we heard that People's Postcode Lottery might come to Northern Ireland, we wanted to lend our voices in support."

Malcolm Fleming Malcolm Fleming is smiling at the camera. He has a stubble beard and short grey/brown hair. He is wearing a grey blazer and a shirt and tie. Malcolm Fleming
Malcolm Fleming is from the People's Postcode Lottery, a subscription lottery which raises money for charities

What is the People's Postcode Lottery?

The People's Postcode Lottery is a subscription-based lottery service.

Players sign up with their postcode and pay a subscription fee each month to be in with the chance of winning cash prizes.

They are automatically entered into the draw and prizes are announced every day of the month.

A minimum of 30% of the ticket price goes to charities.

Malcolm Fleming, director of public affairs at the People's Postcode Lottery, said there was "huge untapped potential" for such fundraising to raise millions of pounds every year for charities in Northern Ireland.

Sian Mulholland smiles at the camera. She has short brown hair and blonde dyed bits at the front. She is wearing black and turquoise glasses and has a green jacket on. Behind her the background is blurred.
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said she wanted to "bring parity to the community and voluntary sector"

Speaking to BBC News NI, Mulholland said she wanted to bring new funding options to the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

"When we look at large society lotteries and what they have invested into the community and voluntary sector in Great Britain and even across Europe, they've raised millions of pounds in vital funds for these good causes in our grass roots and local communities."

Speaking at a Stormont communities committee, Allwyn UK representatives said their research showed there could be a £5.4m annual loss to Northern Ireland's purse and National Lottery good causes within five years if the legislation was implemented.

But Mulholland said the National lottery was a very different product and research in GB showed there was no major impact on the numbers of people playing it.

Why are large society lotteries not in NI?

The National Lottery can be played in Northern Ireland because it is governed by a different legislative framework, but the current law prevents large society lotteries from operating.

Mulholland said this was "because of the cap and the limits that are set in terms of how many people are allowed to play charity lotteries here and also how much charity lotteries here are allowed to put up the prices".

Getty Images A man holding a smartphone with a betting app open on the screen. He is punching his fist into the air as a sports game plays on the TV in front of him. He has a navy jumper on and has dark brown hair.Getty Images
There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland

What are NI's gambling laws?

  • The current laws contained in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order date back to 1985
  • There is no single independent regulatory body for gambling in Northern Ireland
  • Courts and councils license gambling activities, the Department for Communities is responsible for track betting licences and enforcement lies with the police
  • The 1985 order predates the development of the internet and therefore contains no provisions relating to online gambling
  • NI consumers are offered some protection through laws in Great Britain
  • There are also no provisions requiring the gambling industry in NI to make any contribution to funding support services for problem gambling

The Department for Communities has been contacted for comment.