When do you need a lottery permit?

If you want to organize a lottery for your sports club, school, association or foundation, you must take the permit requirements into account. Depending on the amount of the prize package, you apply for a permit from the municipality or from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA).

Lottery permit from the municipality (prize package up to €4,500)

Is the total value of the prizes and premiums €4,500 or less?
Then you apply for a permit from the municipality where the draw takes place.

Example: you are organizing a lottery during a sports tournament with a prize package of €3,000. In this case, you arrange the permit through your municipality.

Municipalities usually apply a minimum application period of 8 weeks before the draw. They also ask for a clear description of the purpose, the prizes and the draw.

Lottery permit from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (prize package above €4,500)

Is the total value of the prize package higher than €4,500?
Then you need a permit from the Netherlands Gambling Authority (KSA).

Example: you are organizing a national lottery with prizes worth €10,000. In that case, the application must be submitted via the KSA.

The KSA sets strict requirements: the proceeds must benefit a cause of general interest (such as sports, culture, care or education) and the costs must not be disproportionately high compared to the proceeds.

Important conditions

Regardless of where you apply for the permit, these basic rules always apply:

The proceeds must be intended for a social or idealistic purpose.

A large part of the income must actually go to that goal (municipalities often use a minimum of 40%).

The draw must be fair and verifiable.

You must provide financial accountability afterwards regarding the income and expenditure.

Summary: which permit do you need?

Up to €4,500 in prizes → application to the municipality

More than €4,500 in prizes → application to the Netherlands Gambling Authority

Make sure you submit the application well in advance so that you can organize your lottery without stress