Good Cause Contributions from Scratchcards & Instant Win Games: A Complete Guide
Note: *The following content is based on individual opinions and does not constitute advice. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Lottery. Please always gamble responsibly. #Ad. Find out more on our How Our Site Works page
National Lottery scratchcards aren’t just a quick bit of fun — they also help fund thousands of community projects across the UK. This guide explains how Good Cause contributions work, how much scratchcards contribute, what the money supports, and how the system differs from commercial online instant‑win games.
1. The History of Good Cause Contributions
When the National Lottery launched in 1994, Parliament created a legally defined structure to ensure that a portion of every ticket and scratchcard sale would support public benefit. This framework was established through the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, which created:
- the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF)
- the requirement that a share of all National Lottery revenue flows into it
- the system of distributing bodies (Sport England, Arts Council England, Heritage Fund, etc.)
Since launch, National Lottery games — including scratchcards — have raised over £50 billion for Good Causes (Gambling Commission reporting).
2. How Much Scratchcards Contribute (The 10% Figure)
Scratchcards contribute a smaller percentage to Good Causes than draw‑based games, but the contribution is still significant.
Around 10% of National Lottery scratchcard sales go to Good Causes.
This figure is drawn from:
- Gambling Commission quarterly National Lottery returns
- Operator reporting (Camelot historically, Allwyn currently)
- National Lottery Distribution Fund summaries
The percentage is not fixed in law, but 10% is the consistently reported average for instant‑win products.
Why is it lower than draw‑based games?
Scratchcards have:
- higher production and distribution costs
- higher retailer commission
- higher prize payout ratios
- higher operating costs
Even so, because scratchcards generate billions in sales, they remain a major contributor to Good Cause funding.
3. What Good Causes Actually Support
Good Cause funding is distributed across six major sectors:
Sport
- grassroots clubs
- Olympic and Paralympic athletes
- community sports facilities
Arts & Culture
- theatres
- museums
- local arts programmes
Heritage
- historic buildings
- conservation projects
- archives and collections
Community & Environment
- parks
- community centres
- social programmes
Health & Education
- community health initiatives
- learning and training projects
Charity & Social Impact
- youth programmes
- social inclusion projects
- local charities
More than 565,000 projects have received funding since 1994.
4. Key Facts & Figures
- £50+ billion raised for Good Causes since 1994
- £30–32 million per week currently raised across all National Lottery games
- ~10% of scratchcard sales go to Good Causes
- Over 565,000 projects funded across the UK
These figures come from Gambling Commission and NLDF reporting.
5. The Legislation Behind Good Cause Funding
Good Cause contributions are not optional — they are mandated by law.
Key legislation includes:
- National Lottery etc. Act 1993
- National Lottery Act 1998
- National Lottery Act 2006
- Gambling Act 2005
These laws define:
- how revenue must be allocated
- how the NLDF operates
- how distributing bodies are governed
- how the operator is regulated
The Gambling Commission oversees compliance and audits operator returns.
6. Operators: Camelot → Allwyn
The National Lottery is run under licence.
- Camelot operated the Lottery from 1994 to 2023
- Allwyn took over the Fourth Licence in 2024
Regardless of operator, the Good Cause contribution structure remains the same because it is defined in legislation and enforced by the Gambling Commission.
7. Scratchcards vs Draw‑Based Games: Contribution Differences
|
Product Type |
Typical Good Cause Contribution |
Notes |
|
Draw‑based games (Lotto, EuroMillions) |
Higher % |
Lower operating costs |
|
Scratchcards (physical) |
~10% |
Higher production & retail costs |
|
National Lottery online instant wins |
Similar to scratchcards |
Also around 10% |
Scratchcards contribute a lower percentage, but still generate substantial Good Cause income due to high sales volume.
8. Online Instant Wins Outside the National Lottery
This is where many players get confused.
Commercial online scratchcards and instant‑win games DO NOT contribute to National Lottery Good Causes.
This includes games offered by:
- PlayOJO
- Betfred
- Any other UKGC‑licensed casino or bingo operator
These products are regulated gambling games, not National Lottery products.
The exception: charity‑specific instant‑win games
Some online instant‑win games are explicitly designed to raise money for charity.
For example:
-
Win Win Charity (featured on scratchcard.ai)
These games operate under a different model where a portion of stakes is donated directly to charitable causes.
9. Why This Matters for Players
Understanding Good Cause contributions helps players see:
- where their money goes
- how National Lottery products differ from commercial games
- why scratchcards contribute less than draw‑based games
- which games support charity and which do not
This guide and Scratchcard.ai aims to make this information clear, transparent and easy to understand.
10. Safer Gambling Reminder
Scratchcards and instant‑win games should always be treated as entertainment, not a way to make money. Only ever play with what you can comfortably afford to lose, and stop the moment it stops being enjoyable.