Hillary Clinton has given her support for a bill which would allow for large society lotteries to operate in the north, saying that they could bring “vital new funding” into civil society.
The private member’s bill, which is being proposed by Alliance’s Sian Mulholland, would allow tickets for large-scale society lotteries, such as the People’s Postcode Lottery, to be sold in the north.
Currently, society or charity lotteries are only allowed to operate on a small scale, with a maximum value of tickets sold capped at £80,000.
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The proposed bill aims to expand the charity sector’s ability to fundraise through society lotteries which “could provide vital financial support” to organisations such as hospices, foodbanks and community programmes.
From L-R Malcolm Fleming, Director of Public Affairs People’s Postcode Lottery, North Antrim MLA, Sian Mulholland and Rachel Kirby-Rider, CEO of Young Live’s vs Cancer, launch a consultation on multi-million charity funding boost for Northern Ireland earlier this month.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
In a snippet from a video message played on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster, Secretary Clinton said: “When we heard that the People’s Postcode Lottery might come to Northern Ireland, we wanted to lend our voices in support.
“To leaders across government and civil society, we can only say: seize this amazing opportunity.
“The postcode lottery is a terrific model to engage people in charitable work.
“By playing a simple game, you’re helping to change your community, and the world, for the better.
“This is a chance to bring vital new funding into Northern Ireland’s civil society.”
The bill aims to provide charity’s with a new avenue for fundraising.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
The BBC has reported that the video message will be played at a reception in Stormont for the People’s Postcode Lottery on Tuesday.
Ms Mulholland said she was “delighted” to have the support of Secretary Clinton, who has served as Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast since 2020.
“I think she is someone who has been involved in civic society in Northern Ireland for such a long time,” she said.
“She understands civic society here, but she also as someone who is involved in her own foundation, is aware of the benefits of a charity lottery and what it can actually provide.”
A public consultation on Ms Mulholland’s bill opened earlier this month.
It highlights the potential benefits of large-scale society lotteries in the north and cites their contribution to the charity and voluntary sector in Great Britain, where rules are more relaxed.
Concerns outlined in the consultation acknowledge potential risks associated with gambling and its impact on individuals and communities.