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A calcutta sweepstake is a way of fundraising where the chance of winnings from a race, game or sporting event is auctioned to ticket holders.
A calcutta may only be conducted for either:
- a horse race, harness race or greyhound race
- the final of the Bay Sheffield Foot Race.
A calcutta doesn’t need a lottery licence if:
- the gross proceeds are less than $15,000
- it's run by an organisation
- the prizes don’t include banned goods or services.
Who can run a Calcutta sweepstake
You have to either be:
- an incorporated organisation (like an incorporated association) other than a registered corporation, under Commonwealth law, that returns profits to its members
- an unincorporated organisation that has:
- at least 10 members
- a management committee appointed or elected by its members
- a written constitution.
Proceeds
All of the proceeds of the calcutta (including the amount raised by the auction of the drawn names but excluding the administrative costs of running it) must be used for the prizes.
The administrative costs of conducting the Calcutta must not exceed 10% of the gross proceeds of the calcutta.
Tickets
You must be 18 years or older to participate in a calcutta. All tickets must be of equal value and have an equal chance of being drawn.
Tickets cannot be sold more than three months before the day of the race. If tickets in the calcutta are being sold before race day or at a different place each ticket and ticket butt must have the:
- name of the organisation conducting the calcutta
- name of the race
- date, time and place of the draw.
Clear information
The butt of each ticket sold must have the name and address (or telephone number or email address) of the purchaser clearly written on it.
Incentives
A person conducting a calcutta must not offer any gift, reward or other benefit (other than the prizes) as an incentive to enter or participate.
Draws
The draw must take place at the date, time and place specified on tickets. Each person who has been successful in the draw must be notified personally of the name that they have drawn.
A list of names drawn must be read out and exhibited immediately after the draw.
Prizes
If the prize is not delivered to the winner at the time the race is run, the winner must be notified in writing within 7 days of the prize won and how it can be collected. Winner(s) must be provided a reasonable opportunity to claim their prize.
The payment of a cash prize over $1,000.00 must be offered by bank deposit and paid as soon as possible.
Record keeping
Accurate records must be kept of the
- gross proceeds of the calcutta
- administrative expense of conducting the calcutta
- distribution of all prizes to the prize winners and the details of any unclaimed prizes.
These records must be kept for at least three months after the race.
Records must be available for inspection by CBS during that period.
Contact CBS Lotteries
Email
LotteryLicensing@sa.gov.au
Phone
131 882 (option 7)
You can also book a lottery appointment for further assistance.
