Responsible Gambling Policy

The Royal Osteoporosis Society is licensed to operate lotteries by the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission is the body set up to monitor all gaming activity in the UK. The legal framework under which our lotteries operate is The Gambling Act 2005.

Account number: 4658
Operating License number: 000-004658-N-302197-015
Ancillary Remote Operating Licence number: 000-004658-A-322035-004

While entering our lottery is a great way to support the work of the Royal Osteoporosis Society, we have in place the following policy to ensure people take part in our lottery responsibly.

Fair and open draws

• Our current External Lottery Manager (ELM)is Unity Lottery, part of Sterling Lotteries. Unity Lottery specialises in lotteries for charities
  
• When you join our lottery, Unity Lottery will give you a 6-digit number
  
• The draw takes place every week on a Friday at Sterling's secure premises
  
• If more than 3 digits from your number match the draw, you're guaranteed a prize. The Winning Number for each weekly draw shall be the winning six-digit number generated by Sterling's Random Number Generator
  
• The results of each draw will be published on the Unity Lottery website within one week of the date of the draw
  
• Winners will be notified by post or e-mail within two weeks of the date of the draw
  
• Our ELM processes all entries and handles all monies received for the lottery, however all monies are paid in directly to our own bank account, and banking reports are issued by out ELM on a weekly basis
  
• Any complaints regarding the draw can be made directly to the Royal Osteoporosis Society by contacting Emily Brown on 01761 473 299 or by email at emily.brown@theros.org.uk. We will respond to initial complaints or queries wherever possible within two working days of receipt of complaint. All complaints and outcomes are recorded. A copy of our complaints procedure is available on request. Any complaints will be reported to the Gambling Commission on an annual basis, via the Annual Regulatory Returns

Children and vulnerable persons

The Royal Osteoporosis Society does not promote its lotteries to children and has taken steps to ensure that under age gambling does not occur. You cannot buy or claim to buy lottery chances on behalf of any other person.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society has implemented the following procedures to prevent children under the age of 18 partaking in gambling:

• Where possible we check our database to ensure persons are above the legal age limit before data is supplied for the use of lottery marketing
  
• The minimum age for play is detailed on our website and lottery leaflets
  
• Any player that is found to be under 18 years of age will have any monies paid in relation to the lottery returned to them
  
• In the event that a request to cease mailing lottery packs is received from a vulnerable person’s carer, we would remove their details from our mailing lists immediately

Responsible gambling

The Royal Osteoporosis Society is a member of The Lotteries Council who make a financial contribution each year on behalf of the members to the GambleAware who are an independent trust funded by the gambling industry to research and limit problem gambling.

For some, gambling can become a problem. If you are concerned about the amount you are gambling and feel it is taking over your life (or you are concerned for a friend or relative) then the following organisations will be able to give you help and advice:

Freephone 24/7 National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133

GamCare
The leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling.
www.gamcare.org.uk

BeGambleAware
Offer free, confidential help for anyone who is worried about their or someone else’s gambling.
www.begambleaware.org

If you feel you have a problem with gambling and would like your details to be placed on a list to prevent you from playing the Royal Osteoporosis Society lottery, then please contact us on 01761 473287 or email supporters@theros.org.uk.

Safe gambling

The majority of people do gamble responsibly. It may help you to keep your gambling under control by remembering the following:

• You’re buying fun, not investing your money
• Before playing, set strict limits on how much time and money you’re going to spend
• Quit while you’re ahead
• Only gamble with money you can afford to lose
• Don’t spend more money on gambling with the hope to win back money that you have lost
• Keep up other interests and hobbies – don’t let gambling take over your life
• Don’t gamble in order to escape from stress or boredom
  
• Gambling in moderation is okay