A GAA club has been forced to cancel a raffle to win a turnkey house in Co Down.
The draw offered a chance to win a three-bedroom home worth £150,000 in the Bishops Green development in Banbridge, just off the A1 carriageway.
A £100 membership fee was required to enter, with funds raised going towards extending playing fields and facilities at Mayobridge GAA, the oldest club in Co Down.
The competition, organised by Friends of Mayobridge GAC, had been running since October and was due to be drawn on August 17.
But organisers said it was "with huge regret that we need to inform you that our planned A1 House Draw is not going to proceed".
It is understood the competition was pulled because the prizes exceeded the maximum level permitted under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985.
If the draw had gone ahead, organisers could have been in breach of the order and faced possible prosecution.
Calls have previously been made for the reform of "outdated" gambling laws, with the Northern Ireland Executive recognising a need for new legislation.
In a post on social media, Friends of Mayobridge said it had organised the draw with "the specific aim to establish a development fund for the purposes of extending the playing fields and facilities in Mayobridge GAC for the benefit of present and future members".
"The committee has recently received notification from the PSNI that there have been a small number of complaints about the draw arising from the antiquated and unsuitable legislation that currently governs this area, and that they will be compelled to open an investigation if the draw were to continue," it said.
"While we are adamant that the club has at all times acted appropriately, we are saddened to say that we can no longer operate the draw.
"As a member of the Friends of Mayobridge club, we greatly value your support of the club and its charitable endeavours.
"We sincerely hope that you will continue to show support for our club.
"However, should you wish to rescind your membership, your subscription will be refunded."
Many members have said they do not want a refund and instead want it to be used for "club development",
One man said: "I'm disappointed to hear that all the hard work and honest efforts of the Mayobridge GAC committee have been spoiled by a small number of complaints.
"Please keep our contribution and put it towards your continued good work in providing for future generation."
Another man said: "No refund for me - keep mine as a donation to club development", while another added: "Keep my contribution for club development, unfortunate that it came to this after everyone worked so hard."
