€29bn contribution from Europe’s lotteries underpin sector’s importance
Supporting communities, strengthening democracy - Roundtable explores contribution of national lotteries to European democracy
Brussels, 15 September 2026 – Democracy is not only about voting. It is also about connecting people, fostering inclusion and building strong communities. This was a central conclusion of a roundtable held in Brussels on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, bringing together seven organisations to discuss the contribution of national lotteries to civil society and European democracy. [1]
Participants highlighted that strong democracies depend not only on institutions, but also on a vibrant and independent civil society and the trust, solidarity and engagement that connect citizens. At a time of growing social fragmentation, pressure on resources and, in places, a narrowing civic space, stable and sustainable support for civil society has rarely been more important.
European lotteries have long contributed to this civic fabric. By returning proceeds to society – including a record €29.4 billion in 2024 – they support sport, culture, heritage, social initiatives and countless community organisations across Europe. In doing so, they help create spaces where people can come together, participate and engage in society, while providing organisations with stable, non-commercial funding that supports their independence and ability to plan for the long term.
The idea that lotteries can help bring Europe closer to its citizens is not new. In the mid-1980s, the Adonnino Committee’s vision of a “People’s Europe” proposed a Europe-wide lottery to support arts and culture – an early recognition of lotteries’ contribution to community-building and citizen engagement. [2]
That role remains relevant today. At the EL Congress in 2025, Count Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, stated that “in times of crisis, the role of lotteries in supporting our society deserves, more than ever, special recognition in the Union.” [3]
The distinctive nature of lotteries has also been recognised from a legal perspective. Koen Lenaerts, President of the Court of Justice of the EU, has described lotteries as part of Europe’s cultural heritage that “play a role in shaping the European social fabric”, while highlighting the need for national authorities to protect players and social order. [4]
Across these different perspectives, a common thread emerges: national lotteries are long-standing contributors to Europe’s social fabric. The roundtable concluded that recognising and protecting the European lottery model is therefore not simply a sectoral interest. It means safeguarding a mechanism through which resources flow back into society, supporting civil society, participation and the communities on which resilient democracies depend.
The discussion also highlighted the potential for lotteries, rooted in communities and trusted by millions, to strengthen the connection between citizens, civil society and European institutions. Beyond their direct contribution through funding, lotteries can help amplify messages, listen to communities and support inclusion from grassroots to institutional level. Participants agreed on the value of reinforcing these shared messages collectively.
”Democracy depends on people feeling connected to and able to participate in their communities. Across Europe, national lotteries help make that possible by supporting the organisations and initiatives that bring people together. At a time of profound social, economic and technological change, this contribution to the public good and social cohesion should be recognised and preserved. Strong democracies require strong communities. National lotteries help support the social fabric that makes those communities possible.”
Piet Van Baeveghem, EL Secretary General