How To Get Around Raffle Laws

In both 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 state raffle laws is considered a serious offense.

State Raffle Laws

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. Get it in writing if its not available online.

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 states do not allow fundraising raffles in any way, shape or form. Alabama and Hawaii both ban raffles outright.

Almost all states and local governments require certified nonprofit status to be eligible to conduct a raffle.

Here are links to raffle laws and regulations on a state-by-state basis (where available):

Nonprofit Raffle Laws State by State

Alabama – Illegal to do a raffle

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas – Legalized in 2007, but no definitive information online yet. Link is to Secretary Of State website.

California

Colorado – Raffle permit application PDF

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia – Contact your County Sheriff's Office

Hawaii – Illegal to do a raffle

Idaho

Illinois – Contact your County Clerk for forms

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas – Legal with some restrictions

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan – Raffle permit application PDF

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana – Nonprofit groups contact your local board of county commissioners' office

Nebraska – Raffle permit application PDF

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina – Legal, but limited online information as to how to get a permit

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah – Illegal

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Washington, D.C.

West Virginia – Raffle permit application PDF

Wisconsin

Wyoming