Information for raffle operators

Find helpful information about who can offer raffles and how to operate them.

Unlicensed raffles

If you are a qualified bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, you may:

  • Offer a maximum of 2 unlicensed raffle, bingo, or amusement game events per calendar year
  • Offer 1 event each of different types of activities, but the total number of unlicensed events cannot exceed 2 for the year.
  • You may allow the public to participate in the activity, as well as members of your organization

Other requirements for unlicensed raffles

  • You may not award liquor and firearms as prizes
  • You must keep records for 1 year
  • You must notify local police at least 5 days in advance
  • You may offer raffles (unlike bingo and amusement games) for longer than 12 consecutive days
  • Your organization's gross revenue (money taken in) from all the activities together must not exceed $5,000 during any calendar year.

Licensed raffles

You must apply for a raffle license if your organization plans to offer the following as part of a raffle:

  • Raffles where gross revenues exceed $5,000 in a calendar year
  • Sell raffle tickets to the public
  • Hold more than two raffles in a calendar year
  • Alcohol as a prize, provided that your organization also holds the appropriate license from the Liquor & Cannabis Board (LCB)
  • Offer firearms or similar devices as a prize, provided that the prize must be offered through a licensed federal firearms dealer
  • Conduct a joint raffle with another nonprofit organization
  • Give non-cash incentives for selling tickets
  • Sell discounted tickets
  • Have someone other than a member of your organization sell tickets
  • Choose winners using an alternative drawing format, such as a poker run.

Joint raffles

Organizations can join together to conduct a raffle, as long as each organization obtains the proper licensing and submit the joint raffle agreement form. Joint raffles are only authorized for licensed raffles, not unlicensed raffles.

  • You must denote 1 organization as the “lead” to coordinate the raffle
  • You must disburse proceeds using a method all participants agree on

You do not need to get a separate license if the organization is considered an “auxiliary” unit. For example, if the VFW is conducting a joint raffle with another Post, an application must be submitted. However, if the Ladies Auxiliary wants to assist Post VFW, no joint raffle application is required.

Rules of play

The following must be clearly printed on each ticket, poker tally sheet or available in writing:

  • Cost per chance ($100 max per ticket)
  • Name of your charitable or nonprofit organization
  • Whether or not participants need to be present to win
  • Date, time, and location of where winners will be determined
  • Description of all prizes. If the prize is a percentage of the gross receipts of the raffle, a minimum prize must be disclosed.

Contact your local law enforcement, city, or county

Notify local law enforcement, city, or county, in writing, before selling tickets. Check with your local taxing authority for any taxes due. The first $10,000 of net proceeds is exempt from taxation.

Other organizations that can apply for a raffle

In addition to the organizations outlined on the raffles page, some other organizations and groups can apply for a raffle license:

Credit unions

Credit unions organized or operating under federal law.

State employees

A group of executive branch state employees that:

  • Has requested and received revocable approval from the agency's chief executive official, or such official's designee, to conduct one or more raffles
  • Conducts a raffle solely to raise funds for
    • state combined fund drive
    • an entity approved to receive funds from the state combined fund drive
    • a charitable or benevolent entity, including but not limited to a person or family in need, as determined by a majority vote of the approved group of employees.
  • No person or other entity may receive compensation in any form from the group for services rendered in support of this purpose
  • Only employees of the agency conducting the raffle can participate in the drawing of and winnings of the raffle.

County, city, or town

A county, city, or town can offer raffles if all raffle revenue less prizes and expenses is used for community activities or to promote tourism.