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Raffle Laws by State 2023

Raffle Laws by State 2023

Raffle Laws by State 2023

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State
Raffle Legality
Notes
AlabamaIllegal
AlaskaLegal
ArizonaLegalThe 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.
ArkansasIllegal
CaliforniaLegalCalifornia 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.
ColoradoLegalOnly 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.
ConnecticutLegalRaffle 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.
DelawareLegalDelaware 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.
FloridaIllegalAny 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.
GeorgiaLegalOperating a raffle without the license or failing to meet the requirements of statute is a violation of Georgia Law and subject to prosecution.
HawaiiIllegalHawaii Law makes gambling, including raffles, a misdemeanor criminal offense.
IdahoLegalOnly 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.
IllinoisLegalEvery 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.
IndianaLegalIn 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."
IowaLegalThe 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.
KansasLegalA 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.
KentuckyLegalA charitable gaming license authorizes licensed charitable organizations to operate bingo, sell charity game tickets or pull-tabs, hold raffles and host casino nights.
LouisianaLegala 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.
MaineLegalNo 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.
MarylandLegalA 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.
MassachusettsLegalOnly 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.
MichiganLegalMost 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.
MinnesotaLegalNo 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.
MississippiLegalA bingo game or a raffle held pursuant to the provisions of the Charitable Bingo Law shall not be considered a game or gambling game.
MissouriLegalAny 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.
MontanaLegalIn 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.
NebraskaLegalTo 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.
NevadaLegal
New HampshireLegalAny 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 JerseyLegal
New MexicoLegalAn 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 YorkLegalRaffle 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 CarolinaIllegalThe 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 DakotaLegalThere is no minimum age for raffles unless the organization sets a minimum age based on the type of prize to be awarded.
OhioLegalUnder Ohio law, only charitable organizations can hold raffles. Businesses and individuals are forbidden from holding raffles.
OklahomaLegalRaffles 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.
OregonLegalRaffles 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.
PennsylvaniaLegal
Rhode IslandLegalOperating 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 CarolinaLegalRaffles 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 DakotaLegalUnder 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.
TennesseeLegalOnly 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.
TexasLegalOnly 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.
UtahIllegalIf 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.
VermontLegalThe 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.
VirginiaLegalA 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.
WashingtonLegalRaffles 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 VirginiaLegalBingo 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.
WisconsinLegalWisconsin 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.
WyomingLegal
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Raffle Laws by State 2023

  1. WSFA 12 News
  2. Case Text
  3. Arizona Department of Gaming
  4. Arkansas Alumni Association
  5. CA Gov
  6. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Grisworld
  7. CT Gov
  8. Lets Gamle USA
  9. Pasco County Schools
  10. Fulton County Government
  11. Hawaii Gov
  12. Idaho Lottery
  13. Universal Gaming Group
  14. DWD
  15. Iowa Gov
  16. Kansas Department of Revenue
  17. Casino City
  18. Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP
  19. Maine's Public Universities
  20. Maryland Gov
  21. Mass Gov
  22. Charitable Gaming
  23. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
  24. Revisor of Missouri
  25. Sweeppea
  26. Nebraska Gov
  27. Nevada Gaming Control Board
  28. Town of Gilford, NH
  29. Watchung, NJ
  30. New Mexico Gaming Control Board
  31. Gaming NY
  32. NC State University
  33. Official Portal for North Dakota State Government
  34. Charitable Ohioago Gov
  35. Bartlesville Community Foundation
  36. Western Oregon University
  37. Cornell University
  38. Brown University
  39. SC Gov
  40. South Dakota Secratary of State
  41. Tennessee Secretary of State
  42. Ken Paxton Attorney General of Texas
  43. Utah Gov
  44. An Official Vermont Government Website
  45. Virginia Law
  46. University of Washington
  47. West Virginia Gov
  48. Wisconsin Gov
  49. Find Law

Sources