Raffle License or Application
The application for the raffle license may be required by the state, county or city government. Sometimes organizations must file with the state and local government so it is always wise to contact all government agencies. Most applications require a fee.
Raffle Requirements
Each state also has different requirements about the organizations that are allowed to hold a raffle and the manner in which it is conducted.
For example according to the laws of Colorado, the organization must have been in existence for five years before an application for a bingo/raffle license can be made. Some state raffle laws limit the number of raffles that a tax-exempt organization can hold. Other states have other very specific laws about the value of prizes given away, the format of tickets and other aspects of the raffle.
Advance Planning for Raffles
Not-for-profit organizations should also keep in mind that some registering agencies require that permits be applied for in advance. For example in Iowa the department requests that applicants allow up to 30 days for processing the application.
The following is a list of raffle laws by state (where available).
| Location | Legal? | State Law |
| Alabama | No | Ala. Code § 13A-12-20 |
| Alaska | Yes | Alaska Stat. 05.15.010 |
| Arizona | Yes | Ariz. Rev. Stat § 13-331 |
| Arkansas | Yes | Arkansas Code,§ 23-114-101, et seq. |
| California | Yes | Cal. Penal Code § 320.5; Cal. Code Regs. tit 11, §§ 410-426 |
| Colorado | Yes | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 12-9-101, et seq. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 7-170 to 7-186 |
| Delaware | Yes | 10-100-102 Del. Code Regs. |
| Florida | Yes | Fla. Stat. § 849.0935 |
| Georgia | Yes | Ga. Code Ann. § 16-12-22 |
| Hawaii | No | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 712-1220 |
| Idaho | Yes | Idaho Code Ann. § 67-77 |
| Illinois | Yes | 230 Ill. Comp. Stat. 15/8.1 |
| Indiana | Yes | 68 Ind. Admin. Code 21-1-01 through 21-7-14 |
| Iowa | Yes | Iowa Code § 99B.6 |
| Kansas | No | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-4302 |
| Kentucky | Yes | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 239.500-570,995 |
| Louisiana | Yes | La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 4:701-740; § 27-402 |
| Maine | Yes | Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17 § 331 |
| Maryland | Yes | Md. Code Title 13 Gaming |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 271 § 7A |
| Michigan | Yes | Mich. Comp. Laws § 432.101 et seq. |
| Minnesota | Yes | Minn. Stat. §§ 349.11 to 349.23 |
| Mississippi | Yes | Miss. Code Ann. § 97-33-50 et seq. |
| Missouri | Yes | Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 313.005 to 313.080 |
| Montana | Yes | Mont. Code Ann. § 23-5-413; Mont. Admin. R. § 23-16-2602 |
| Nebraska | Yes | Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 9-1,101 et seq. |
| Nevada | Yes | Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 462-064; 462-130 to 462-200 |
| New Hampshire | Yes | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 287-A:1 to 287-A:11 |
| New Jersey | Yes | N.J. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 5:8-50 to 5:8- |
| New Mexico | Yes | N.M. Stat. Ann.§§ 60-2F-1 to 60-2F-26 |
| New York | Yes | N.Y. Rac. Wag. Law §§ 185 to 195r |
| North Carolina | Yes | N.C. Gen. Stat.§ 14-309.15; § 105‑130.11 et seq. |
| North Dakota | Yes | N. D. Cent. Code§ 53-06.1 |
| Ohio | Yes | Oh. Rev. Code. Ann. § 2915.092 |
| Oklahoma | Yes | Okla. Stat. tit. 3A, §§ 401 to 427 |
| Oregon | Yes | Or. Rev. Stat. §§ 464-250 to -995 and Or. Admin. R. 137-025-0020 to -0310 |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | 10 Pa. Code §§ 311 to 327 |
| Rhode Island | Yes | R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 11-19-1 et seq.; 41-3-1 et seq. |
| South Carolina | No | S.C. Code Ann. §16-19-10 et seq. |
| South Dakota | Yes | S.D. Const. § 25;S.D. Codified Laws § 22-25-23 et seq. |
| Tennessee | Yes | Tenn. Code Ann.§ 3-17-101 et seq. |
| Texas | Yes | Tex. Occ. Code Ann. § 2002 |
| Utah | No | Utah Const. Art. 4, Sec. 27 |
| Vermont | Yes | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 13 § 2143 |
| Virginia | Yes | Va. Code Ann. §§ 15.2-912.2; 18.2-334.2; 18.2-340-16 et seq. |
| Washington | Yes | Wash. Rev. Code. Ann. § 9.46.0311 |
| Washington, D.C. | Yes | D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 30, § 1500 et seq. |
| West Virginia | Yes | W. Va. Code R. § 47-21-1 et seq. |
| Wisconsin | Yes | Wis. Stat. Ann. § 563-90 et seq. |
| Wyoming | Yes | Wyo. Code R. § 6-7-101 |
The information and links provided on this site are intended as an informational resource. RaffleFAQ.com is not responsible for content provided on websites which are linked to from this site. No warranties or guarantees are implied or expressed. Information on this site is not meant as a substitute for advice given from a licensed attorney. Consult with an attorney to ensure compliance with state and local regulations, or risk investigation and/or penalties if a complaint is filed or law enforcement agencies become aware of non compliant activities.
