Quick answer: yes, a town hall declaration is mandatory at least 1 month before the lottery date, under article L322-3 of the French Internal Security Code. It's free, the form is provided by the town hall, and the procedure takes 30 minutes.
Nonprofit lotteries are governed by article L322-3 of the French Internal Security Code (formerly article 6 of the law of 21 May 1836). This text authorizes lotteries under 4 strict conditions:
If any of these 4 conditions is not met, the lottery may be reclassified as illegal gambling, exposing the organization's leaders to criminal penalties (article L324-1 of the same code).
Cost: free. If needed, the town hall may ask for details about the prizes or conditions. Be precise in the form to avoid back-and-forth.
An additional prefecture authorization may be required if:
In practice, 95% of nonprofit lotteries only need the town hall declaration. In case of doubt, the town hall will direct you to the prefecture. The prefecture procedure takes 2 months and requires a fuller file.
The real risk is low (checks are rare in small towns), but the impact in case of inspection is heavy:
Yes, a town hall declaration is mandatory at least one month before the date, in accordance with article L322-3 of the Internal Security Code. Without this declaration, your lottery is illegal and can be shut down. The form is provided free of charge by the town hall.
(1) Run by a nonprofit organization (loi 1901). (2) Restricted circle of participants (members, supporters, local public). (3) Prizes not refundable in cash. (4) Modest stake per card (generally < €20, in practice €2-5). If any of these 4 conditions is not met, the lottery may be reclassified as illegal gambling.
Book an appointment at the town hall (or show up in small towns), ask for the nonprofit lottery declaration form. Fill in with: organization identity (statutes, RNA number, chair), lottery date/time/place, card price, prizes (estimated value), participation conditions. It's free. Response time: 1-2 weeks.
If a single prize exceeds certain thresholds (in practice above a few thousand euros), an additional prefecture authorization may be required. The town hall will guide you. For the vast majority of nonprofit lotteries with prizes under €1,000, the simple town hall declaration is enough.
Strictly private lotteries (closed family circle, birthday among friends) are exempt from declaration. School lotteries run during school time and internal to the school as well. However, as soon as cards are sold to an outside audience (parents, neighborhood), declaration becomes mandatory again.
Three risks: (1) immediate administrative closure by the municipal police, (2) fine for the organization, which can lose its accreditation, (3) criminal liability for leaders for illegal gambling organization (article L324-1 of the Internal Security Code). The real risk is very low but the impact in case of inspection is heavy.
Yes, with no theoretical limit. However, the tax exemption only applies to the first 6 “exceptional charity or support events” per year (article 261-7 of the General Tax Code). Beyond that, revenue becomes taxable. Each lottery must be declared individually at the town hall.
No — each lottery, even repeated weekly or monthly, must be specifically declared at the town hall. You can however file several declarations in advance for known dates, in bulk.
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