INSTITUTIONS OF PUBLIC CHARACTER (Public lottery-based activities)

INSTITUTIONS OF PUBLIC CHARACTER

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(Public lottery-based activities): **

3.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the criteria in the assessment of applications from Institutions of Public Character (IPC) to carry out public lottery-based activities; and (b) under what conditions will a waiver be granted to an IPC to hold more than one public lottery-based activity each year.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Any organisation that is a full or associate member of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) or is conferred the status of an Institution of Public Character (IPC) under the Income Tax Act is exempted from the Common Gaming Houses Act (CGHA) and permitted to conduct a public lottery, provided certain conditions are met.

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The conditions include the following:

(i) proceeds of the lottery, after deducting expenses incurred, are to be used for the purpose for which the organisation has been established (expenses should not exceed 30% of the proceeds);

(ii) the organisation conducting the lucky draw is not to promote more than one lottery a year;

(iii) if the total value of prizes exceeds $10,000, the results of the lottery are to be published in a newspaper within seven days following the determination of all the winners;

(iv) all prizes which are not won or remain unclaimed after two months of the announcement of the winners are to be donated to the Community Chest or to such other charity as may be approved by the Minister; and

(v) an audited statement of accounts and the results of the lottery are to be sent to the Police within three months of the termination of the lottery.

In deciding whether to allow an IPC to conduct more than one lottery a year, the general guidelines include the following:

(i) the organiser must comply with the conditions under the Common Gaming Houses (Exemption) Notification and the mechanics of the promotion must not breach the CGHA;

(ii) the organisation has exercised due diligence in submitting audited statements of accounts for previous lotteries; and

(iii) a permit under the House to House and Street Collections Act has been granted.

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