In the United States and Canada all types of fundraising raffles are considered to be games of chance. Consequently, they are very tightly regulated and failure to adhere to the law is considered a serious offense. If you have any doubt about the correct procedures, do not rely on anybody's word but a government official or a lawyer knowledgeable in these matters.

In many areas there may be more than one governmental body that has jurisdiction over a fundraising raffle. It is always good to check your state/province/territory and your local government for any necessary licenses and permits.

In almost all cases an application for a license must be made to the governing unit. This application and the resulting permit may takes weeks or months to process and receive. Do not proceed to hold a fundraising raffle without having the necessary paperwork in hand.

United States

Each state in the United States sets their own rules for fundraising raffles. Some have very relaxed rules while on the other extreme, a few state do not allow fundraising raffles in any way, shape or form.

Links to raffle laws and regulations (where available)

• Alabama - Illegal
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas - Legalized in 2007 but no online information yet
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia - Contact County Sheriff’s Office
• Hawaii - illegal
• Idaho
• Illinois - Contact County Clerk
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas - Legal with restrictions
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana - contact local board of county commissioners' office
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina - legal but no online information yet
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Canada

In Canada, the provinces and territories each regulate fundraising raffles and each has different rules. In addition, each sometimes lets municipalities regulate some types of fundraising raffles.

Links to fundraising raffle laws and regulations (where available)

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Northwest Territories
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut - no online results
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon Territory

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About the Author:

Deane Brengle writes for several free online publications that cover fundraising for small nonprofit groups. You can visit these publications and read more about fundraising in articles by him and other experts in the field at The Fund$Raiser Cyberzine, The Fundraising for Small Groups Newsletter, and Fundraising Booklets.