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    Conducting a Raffle

    Click here for information on who may and may not sell or purchase raffle tickets.

    House Rules for Raffle Required

    House rules must be posted where raffle winners are selected and must include: 

    1. the organization’s name, license, and permit number; 
    2. the problem gambling helpline number (1-800-333-HOPE); 
    3. the method and policy of selecting or determining winners; 
    4. the percentage split for share-the-pot raffles; 
    5. a statement that the winner need not be present; 
    6. the policy on accepting checks and debit cards; 
    7. a statement that the purchase of only one ticket is required to enter the raffle; 
    8. an explanation of multiple pricing levels, if any; 
    9. a statement that persons under 18 may not purchase a raffle ticket or win a prize; and 
    10. if wine, beer, or intoxicating liquors are awarded, that the winner must be age 21 or older to win. 

    Required Raffle Forms  

    Use the LG820 Raffle Inventory and Sales Log to track all raffle tickets. An organization is required to account for all tickets printed for a raffle. The value of unaccounted for tickets must be included in the raffle gross receipts reported on the LG100A, Lawful Gambling Receipts and Expenses by Site.

    Selling the Tickets or Certificates of Participation  

    No sales on the internet

    Lawful gambling may not be conducted on the internet, including the sale of raffle tickets. However, you may advertise your raffle on the internet.
    May not be free of charge

    A ticket must be sold for the price printed on the ticket and may not be provided free of charge or for any other consideration, such as a donation of a food item.
    Cash, check, or debit card only
    • Cash, checks, or debit cards may be accepted for the sale of raffle tickets. Raffles are the only form of lawful gambling where personal checks and debit cards may be accepted. Traveler’s checks, cashier’s checks, and money orders are also acceptable. 
    • Credit cards may not be accepted. Credit may not be extended to a player.
    Bounced payments

    For “bounced” payments, try to contact the individual for proper payment. Otherwise, an organization must reimburse the gambling account from a source of nongambling funds for any dishonored payments. The ticket stub or the item used in the selection method from the raffle may not be pulled. However, an organization may include in its house rules that raffle prizes will not be awarded until a check or debit card payment clears the bank.

    Sellers Must Return Stubs and Unsold Tickets

    Before the drawing, each person who sells tickets must return: 

    • all unsold tickets or certificates;
    • when raffle tickets are used, the stubs for all tickets sold; and 
    • all money for tickets sold. 

    Organizations must account for all unsold raffle tickets. Any missing raffle tickets are considered sold and must be included in gross receipts.

    No Sales After First Winner Determined; No Early Birds  

    No tickets may be sold after the first winner is determined. 

    Raffles where a specific prize(s) is awarded to ticket holders that purchased their tickets by a certain date (“early bird raffles”) are not allowed .

    Only One Ticket for Entry; Equal Chance to Win 

    A person is not required to: 

    • purchase more than one ticket; or 
    • pay for anything other than the ticket. Exception—refer to the button raffle, fishing/hunting contest, and membership raffle sections in this chapter. 

    Each entry in the raffle must constitute an equal chance to win.

    Age Restrictions 

    • Persons under 18 may sell raffle tickets. 
    • Persons under 18 may not purchase raffle tickets or win a raffle prize. 
    • If wine, beer, or intoxicating liquors are awarded, the winner must be age 21 or older to win. 

    Use of Receptacle Required When Drawing Winners 

    When using raffle tickets: 

    • Before the drawing, place the stub or detachable section of each ticket sold into a receptacle (container) from which the winning tickets are drawn. The receptacle can be purchased from any source. 
    • The receptacle must be designed so each winning ticket placed in it has an equal chance to be drawn.

    Electronic Raffle Selection Systems Allowed 

    Although electronic raffle selection systems are allowed by statute, no electronic raffle selection systems are currently approved by the Gambling Control Board.

    Winners Determined on Raffle Date 

    All raffle winners must be determined at the time, date, and location indicated on the raffle ticket (unless a different date is approved by the director of the Gambling Control Board). 

    Raffle drawings conducted by a licensed organization or one that has received an exempt permit must be held at a permitted premises. (Licensed organizations, see also Off-Site Permits.)

    Prizes listed on the raffle ticket or the list of prizes made available to players when tickets were sold do not have to be displayed at the time raffle winners are selected. 

    Any prizes donated to the organization after the tickets or prize list has been printed must be displayed at the raffle drawing. 

    Attendance not required. A person does not need to be present at a raffle to be eligible to win a prize. 

    The organization is responsible for ensuring that a winner receives their prize.

    Deposit Information; Reporting on LG100A 

    Deposit and record the net receipts, or secure them until they can be deposited. Deposit the gambling receipts into the gambling account within four business days of the date of the raffle. 

    On the deposit slip, list the following information: 

    1. premises permit number (for off-site permits use site #999); 
    2. date of the deposit; 
    3. date of the raffle; 
    4. deposit amount from the sale of raffle tickets or certificates; and 
    5. deposit amount for any income received from advertising in conjunction with the raffle. 

    Two kinds of deposits

    1. If raffle gross receipts are deposited in a month prior to the month of the raffle date, those deposits are reported as “Receipts deposited from games in play that are not included on an LG100A” on the LG100F, Line 14. The raffle’s gross receipts, prizes, and net receipts are reported on the LG100A for the month in which the drawing was held.
    2. If an organization sells all of the tickets or certificates and awards the prizes at one time (in a single day), any “money” prizes may be awarded in the form of cash, which means the bank deposit will be less than the gross receipts (sales). 
    • If all raffle prizes were cash, then the deposit should equal the net receipts. 
    • If a combination of cash and merchandise prizes were awarded, then the deposit will be the total gross receipts less cash prizes paid. 

    Make a notation on the deposit slip for the amount awarded as cash prizes.

    Fund Loss 

    If a fund loss is discovered: 

    1. Notify local law enforcement within five days of discovering the loss (within 24 hours if the game was played in a dispensing device), and notify the Gambling Control Board. Fund losses not reported will not be considered by the Board for profit carryover adjustment. 
    2. Within 60 days, provide the Gambling Control Board with documentation of reimbursement or a request for a profit carryover adjustment due to a fund loss. This documentation must be provided to the Board within 60 days or the fund loss request will not be considered by the Board. Use form LG250 Fund Loss Request (Profit Carryover Adjustment). 

    Refer to the Fund Loss section. 

    If tickets or certificates are lost due to a disaster such as fire, flood, blizzard, tornado, or other catastrophic event, immediately contact the Department of Revenue at 651-297-1772 for instructions on how to handle the fund loss. 

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