Raffles are regulated gambling in the United States. Before purchasing a ticket or running a raffle, understand the state-by-state legal landscape, licensing requirements, and participant rights.
Not legal advice. This guide is for informational purposes only. Raffle laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified attorney before conducting a raffle. PrizeTrack is not responsible for errors or omissions in this guide.
Only licensed nonprofit organizations may conduct raffles in the United States. For-profit companies are prohibited in all 50 states.
Most states require a specific raffle or charitable gaming license before tickets can be sold. Operating without a license is a criminal offense.
Raffle proceeds must be used for the nonprofit's charitable purpose. Using proceeds for personal gain or unrelated expenses is illegal.
Most states require raffle tickets to be consecutively numbered and include the organization's name, date of drawing, and prize description.
Several states (including Texas and California) prohibit cash prizes in raffles. Prizes must be merchandise, services, or experiences.
Many states restrict or prohibit online raffle ticket sales. Even if your organization is licensed, selling tickets online to out-of-state residents may violate other states' laws.
Raffles are prohibited. No exceptions for nonprofits.
Raffles are prohibited. No exceptions.
All forms of gambling including raffles are prohibited by the Utah Constitution.
Note: Raffle operators must exclude residents of banned states from purchasing tickets, even for online raffles. Failure to do so may expose the organization to criminal liability in those states.
This is a high-level overview only. Laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the relevant state agency.
| State | Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | ✗ Prohibited | Raffles are prohibited. No exceptions for nonprofits. |
| Alaska (AK) | ✓ Permitted | Licensed nonprofits only. Annual license required. Prize limits apply. |
| Arizona (AZ) | ✓ Permitted | Qualified nonprofits may conduct raffles. License required from AZ Dept. of Revenue. |
| California (CA) | ✓ Permitted | Registered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) orgs only. Registration with CA DOJ required. No cash prizes. |
| Colorado (CO) | ✓ Permitted | Licensed nonprofits only. License from CO Secretary of State. Annual limits apply. |
| Connecticut (CT) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits must obtain a permit from local authorities. Strict prize and proceeds rules. |
| Florida (FL) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. Registration with FL Dept. of Agriculture required for prizes over $500. |
| Georgia (GA) | ✓ Permitted | Bingo and certain raffles permitted for nonprofits. Local licensing required. |
| Hawaii (HI) | ✗ Prohibited | Raffles are prohibited. No exceptions. |
| Idaho (ID) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits may conduct raffles. License required from ID State Lottery. |
| Illinois (IL) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from IL Dept. of Revenue. Strict ticket and prize requirements. |
| Indiana (IN) | ✓ Permitted | Qualified organizations only. License required. Annual gross receipts limits apply. |
| Iowa (IA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits may conduct raffles. License required from IA Racing & Gaming Commission. |
| Kansas (KS) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License required. Ticket prices and prize limits apply. |
| Kentucky (KY) | ✓ Permitted | Charitable gaming license required from KY Dept. of Charitable Gaming. |
| Louisiana (LA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from LA Office of Charitable Gaming. |
| Maine (ME) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits may conduct raffles. License from ME Gambling Control Board. |
| Maryland (MD) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. County-level licensing required. Strict rules vary by county. |
| Massachusetts (MA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from local licensing authority. Strict rules on proceeds use. |
| Michigan (MI) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from MI Lottery. Annual and per-event licenses available. |
| Minnesota (MN) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from MN Gambling Control Board. Detailed reporting required. |
| Mississippi (MS) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits may conduct limited raffles. Local ordinances may apply. |
| Missouri (MO) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. No state license required but local permits may apply. |
| Montana (MT) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from MT Gambling Control Division. |
| Nebraska (NE) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NE Dept. of Revenue. Strict rules on ticket sales. |
| Nevada (NV) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NV Gaming Control Board. |
| New Hampshire (NH) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NH Lottery Commission. |
| New Jersey (NJ) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NJ Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission. |
| New Mexico (NM) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NM Gaming Control Board. |
| New York (NY) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NY Gaming Commission. Strict rules on proceeds and prizes. |
| North Carolina (NC) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from NC Dept. of Public Safety. |
| North Dakota (ND) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from ND Office of Attorney General. |
| Ohio (OH) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from OH Attorney General's office. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from OK ABLE Commission. |
| Oregon (OR) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from OR Dept. of Justice. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from PA Dept. of Revenue. |
| Rhode Island (RI) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from RI Dept. of Business Regulation. |
| South Carolina (SC) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. Local licensing required. |
| South Dakota (SD) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from SD Lottery. |
| Tennessee (TN) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from TN Secretary of State. |
| Texas (TX) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. Strict rules — no cash prizes, tickets cannot be sold at a profit. |
| Utah (UT) | ✗ Prohibited | All forms of gambling including raffles are prohibited by the Utah Constitution. |
| Vermont (VT) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from VT Dept. of Liquor & Lottery. |
| Virginia (VA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from VA Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services. |
| Washington (WA) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from WA Gambling Commission. |
| West Virginia (WV) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from WV Lottery. |
| Wisconsin (WI) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from WI Dept. of Revenue. |
| Wyoming (WY) | ✓ Permitted | Nonprofits only. License from WY Gaming Commission. |
Raffle operators must make the official rules available to all participants. The rules must disclose the prize, odds of winning, drawing date, and eligibility requirements.
Licensed raffle operators must display their license number on all promotional materials and tickets. You can verify the license with the relevant state agency.
If a raffle is cancelled before the drawing, participants are generally entitled to a refund of their ticket purchase price.
You are never required to accept a prize. Declining a prize avoids the associated tax liability, though you will not receive a refund of your ticket price.
If you believe a raffle is being operated illegally (by a for-profit company, without a license, or in a prohibited state), you can report it to your state attorney general's office.