Raffle Laws by State 2025

Legal

Illegal

State	Raffle Legality	Notes
Alabama	Illegal
Alaska	Legal
Arizona	Legal	The raffles cannot be conducted no more than three times per calendar year and the maximum fee for an outside agent cannot exceed 15 percent of the net proceeds of the raffle.
Arkansas	Illegal
California	Legal	California law allows eligible tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to conduct fundraising raffles. Organizations must obtain a raffle permit number from the Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts before holding the event.
Colorado	Legal	Only non-profit organizations that have been in existence in Colorado for five or more years are eligible to be licensed and conduct bingo and/or raffles.
Connecticut	Legal	Raffle prizes must be: merchandise; tangible personal property; or a nonrefundable ticket, coupon, or gift certificate for merchandise, a tour, services, tangible personal property or state lottery tickets. The law expressly prohibits cash prizes, alcoholic beverages, or prizes that are redeemable for cash.
Delaware	Legal	Delaware allows recognized charitable organizations to conduct bingo, raffles and No-Limit Texas hold'em poker tournaments. Regulations and licensing are under the auspices of the Delaware Gaming Control Board.
Florida	Illegal	Any type of raffle (games of chance, gambling) is illegal under Florida law. One exemption is for an organization, tax exempt under IRS code 501(c)3 to run the raffle. The district and the schools do not qualify for this exemption.
Georgia	Legal	Operating a raffle without the license or failing to meet the requirements of statute is a violation of Georgia Law and subject to prosecution.
Hawaii	Illegal	Hawaii Law makes gambling, including raffles, a misdemeanor criminal offense.
Idaho	Legal	Only charitable/non-profit organizations can conduct bingo and raffles. All other gaming activities such as poker runs, Calcutta's and casino nights are strictly prohibited.
Illinois	Legal	Every Illinois raffle must be licensed. If it isn't, it's automatically illegal. Generally speaking, only the following groups are eligible to organize a raffle or poker run: nonprofit charitable, religious, fraternal, veterans, educational, business, or labor groups.
Indiana	Legal	In Indiana, a raffle can only be conducted by a qualified organization in accordance with state law. The state law defines a raffle as "the selling of tickets or chances to win a prize awarded through a random drawing, including a door prize."
Iowa	Legal	The only gambling activities authorized under these licenses are bingo, raffles, and games of skill and chance. A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion and sale of tickets. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.
Kansas	Legal	A charitable raffle license shall be required for any nonprofit religious, charitable, fraternal, educational, or veterans' organization which conducts raffles and in which the annual (July-June) gross receipts are more than $25,000.
Kentucky	Legal	A charitable gaming license authorizes licensed charitable organizations to operate bingo, sell charity game tickets or pull-tabs, hold raffles and host casino nights.
Louisiana	Legal	a raffle or raffles may be conducted by any person twenty-one years of age or older for any purpose provided that the value of the prize paid does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars.
Maine	Legal	No one can operate a raffle within the State of Maine without obtaining a license from the Chief of the State Police. Licensed raffles are subject to additional requirements.
Maryland	Legal	A charitable organization may conduct a raffle of real property if it is for the exclusive benefit of the organization and the prize awarded is real property to which the charity holds title or to which the charity has the ability to transfer title.
Massachusetts	Legal	Only qualified non-profit organizations that have obtained a permit can conduct raffles. An individual cannot hold a raffle even if a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a qualified nonprofit organization.
Michigan	Legal	Most drawings require a license. If an organization would like to hold a raffle, a 50-50 drawing, or a drawing for a door prize, each of these events requires a raffle license.
Minnesota	Legal	No license is required for bingo conducted at fairs for up to 12 days a year and bingo conducted elsewhere for up to four days a year. Raffles with a prize of no more than $1,500 also do not require a license.
Mississippi	Legal	A bingo game or a raffle held pursuant to the provisions of the Charitable Bingo Law shall not be considered a game or gambling game.
Missouri	Legal	Any organization recognized as charitable or religious pursuant to federal law may sponsor raffles and sweepstakes in which a person risks something of value for a prize. The general assembly may, by law, provide standards and conditions to regulate or guarantee the awarding of prizes provided for in such raffles or sweepstakes.
Montana	Legal	In Montana any person or organization may offer a raffle. In Montana, raffles are defined as “form of lottery in which each participant pays valuable consideration for a ticket to become eligible to win a prize.
Nebraska	Legal	To apply for a lottery/raffle license, an eligible organization must file with the Department, a Nebraska Application for Bingo, Lottery, Raffle, or Lottery by Pickle Card, Form 50, and Supplemental Questionnaire. The biennial license fee is $30.
Nevada	Legal
New Hampshire	Legal	Any New Hampshire charitable organization is defined by RSA 287-A may conduct a raffle as authorized by RSA 287-A within the limits of the Town of Gilford to promote the purpose for which it was organized in the manner hereinafter provided by these Rules and Regulations.
New Jersey	Legal
New Mexico	Legal	An organization must qualify as such under either the Bingo and Raffle Act or as defined by the Criminal Code to do so and all the proceeds must go to lawful purposes as defined by the law.
New York	Legal	Raffle tickets can be sold by a member of an authorized organization licensed to conduct raffles who is at least eighteen years of age, and may also be sold by any person at least eighteen years of age with a blood relationship or affinity with a member of an authorized organization licensed to conduct a raffle.
North Carolina	Illegal	The NC General Statutes consider raffles as a form of gambling and are generally unlawful in the state of North Carolina. However, there is an exception that allows four raffles per year for each tax exempt non-profit organization.
North Dakota	Legal	There is no minimum age for raffles unless the organization sets a minimum age based on the type of prize to be awarded.
Ohio	Legal	Under Ohio law, only charitable organizations can hold raffles. Businesses and individuals are forbidden from holding raffles.
Oklahoma	Legal	Raffles are legal and may prove very effective in raising funds, but the individuals contributing cannot claim the benefits of the Federal Charitable Giving Incentive as a deduction on taxes.
Oregon	Legal	Raffles in Oregon are considered a form of gambling and are regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice. These regulations govern who can sponsor a raffle, the size of the prize, conduct of the raffle, Department of Justice reports, size of "handle", etc.
Pennsylvania	Legal
Rhode Island	Legal	Operating raffles, where a Fee is required for entry, is permitted by the State of Rhode Island only when the Raffle is licensed by the Division of State Police.
South Carolina	Legal	Raffles are governed by the Nonprofit Raffles for Charitable Purposes Act found in S.C. Code of Laws Title 33, Chapter 57. Only qualified nonprofit organizations as defined in §33-57-120(A) are eligible to conduct raffles.
South Dakota	Legal	Under South Dakota State Law, games of chance are prohibited in the state, except if an exemption is granted, such as for Deadwood gaming or the state lottery. Other exemptions include bingo and lottery for charitable purposes.
Tennessee	Legal	Only a qualified organization that has submitted an application to the Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming and that has been approved by the Tennessee General Assembly can hold a raffle.
Texas	Legal	Only a qualified religious society that has been in existence in Texas for at least 10 years; a qualified volunteer fire department that operates fire fighting equipment, provides fire-fighting services and that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; a qualified volunteer emergency medical service that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; or a qualified 501(c) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that has been in existence for at least three years may hold raffles in Texas. Individuals and for profit businesses may not hold raffles.
Utah	Illegal	If participant can receive something of value, raffle would be considered a lottery, a form of gambling which is illegal in Utah and many other states.
Vermont	Legal	The gambling law allows nonprofits to operate games of chance like raffles, bingo, card games and "break-open" tickets. Slot machines and other mechanical gambling devices such as “Cherry Master” or "Money Machines" are prohibited.
Virginia	Legal	A qualified organization may sell raffle tickets both in and out of the jurisdiction designated in its permit and shall conduct the drawing within the Commonwealth.
Washington	Legal	Raffles are strictly regulated in the state of Washington under the Washington State Gambling Act. Only certain charitable or nonprofit organizations can conduct raffles without first obtaining a gambling license.
West Virginia	Legal	Bingo and Raffle events may not be conducted online or in-person in West Virginia without a license issued by the West Virginia Tax Division, unless it meets a qualified exemption.
Wisconsin	Legal	Wisconsin law permits tribal gaming and licensed charitable bingo and raffles. Any activity that involves the elements of consideration, prize, and chance is gambling and illegal unless authorized by Wisconsin Law. Consideration is required payment with anything of value; cash, canned items, and so on.
Wyoming	Legal

Raffle laws vary from state to state, with some states allowing certain types of raffles under specific conditions while others outright prohibit them. Here are some interesting facts about raffle laws across different states in the U.S.:

Legal vs. Illegal: States like Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and others permit raffles under certain conditions, while states like Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, and others consider raffles illegal under their laws.
Licensing Requirements: In states where raffles are legal, organizations typically need to obtain licenses or permits from relevant authorities before conducting raffles. For example, California requires eligible tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to obtain a raffle permit number from the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts.
Restrictions on Prizes: Some states have specific regulations regarding the types of prizes that can be offered in raffles. For instance, Connecticut prohibits cash prizes, alcoholic beverages, or prizes redeemable for cash, while Maryland allows charitable organizations to conduct raffles of real property.
Nonprofit Organizations: Many states limit raffle activities to qualified nonprofit organizations. These organizations must meet certain criteria and adhere to specific regulations outlined in state laws.
Prohibitions on Cash Prizes: Several states prohibit cash prizes in raffles and restrict prizes to merchandise, tangible personal property, or nonrefundable tickets for merchandise or services.
Regulation by State Agencies: Raffles are often regulated by state agencies tasked with overseeing gambling or charitable gaming activities. These agencies set guidelines, issue licenses, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Exceptions and Exemptions: Some states allow exemptions for certain types of organizations or activities. For example, Missouri permits recognized charitable or religious organizations to sponsor raffles and sweepstakes under certain conditions.
Penalties for Violations: States that regulate raffles typically impose penalties for violations of raffle laws, including fines and potential legal consequences for non-compliance.

Understanding the raffle laws in your state is crucial for organizations planning to conduct raffles as part of their fundraising activities. Compliance with these laws ensures legality and prevents potential legal issues down the line.

Raffle Laws by State 2025

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