Here is a selection of legal requirements pertaining to race nights.

It is quite legal for a company, club, association or the like to organise a race night with prizes within the Amusements & Small Lotteries Act 1976, providing the following are adhered to;

A race night is really a form of a raffle.

Guests are invited to buy tickets on a particular horse number. They do this without any knowledge of the outcome of the race, or any prior knowledge of the result. It is only after all the tickets have been sold for the next particular race, that it is announced quite clearly to all concerned there will be no more tickets for that race. Then a member of the audience can choose the film for the race from a selection. This is why it is likened to a raffle, but with the winning tickets being chosen by mechanical means (i.e. the showing of a race film). This is unlike in betting and gambling where form, fitness and conditions are taken into account and odds negotiated with a bookmaker.

The Race must NOT be the sole attraction at the event. Which is why Ross Coley events offers FREE music throughout the evening. You must provide other attractions, i.e. a supper or buffet, music for dancing etc. To comply with this rule, as a matter of course provide Visual music for dancing before, between and after races. Alternatively we show sport or outtake films.

The club or association must hold the race night in premises to which the general public do not have restricted access.
Any advertising for the event must be restricted to the venue.
That the proceeds are for the benefit of the club or association, and that no individual benefit for personal gain.
Although all ages can attend, tickets must not be sold to any person under 16 years of age. The person that purchases the ticket must collect the prize personally. Tickets must not be sold by post.

All raffle (tote) tickets are sold at the same price – so that no one person has an unfair advantage.
We describe the event in detail to your guests before we start, emphasising the relevant details, and generally make sure the event is managed responsibly.