U.S. Online Raffle Legal Rules Summary by State
⚖️ Important — Legal Disclaimer
Raffle laws vary by state and organization type. This page provides links to official state regulatory resources for informational purposes only. Chance2Win does not provide legal advice. Organizations should consult legal counsel or their state regulatory agency before conducting any raffle fundraiser.
📅 Last Updated:
Quick Legal Snapshot
| State | Nonprofit Raffles | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Prohibited | No statewide exemption |
| Hawaii | Prohibited | Gambling largely banned |
| Utah | Prohibited | No charitable exemption |
| Washington | Prohibited |
Regulated by Gambling Commission No Online |
| Kansas | Prohibited |
Requires raffle license No Online |
Are Online Raffles Legal? We get that question all the time. Online Raffle and Raffles in general are governed by state laws. YOU need to consult with your state laws as we cannot advise you. Here is some basic information we have found, but it is far from complete and is NOT LEGAL ADVICE. A few States, such as Utah and Hawaii have very strict laws. 45 States allow online raffles from what we can tell. Most states have various requirements regarding online raffles with the most common ones being the raffle must be for a non-profit charitable organization. Many states require that the raffle provide a way for someone to enter with no purchase necessary. Our understanding in Florida, for example, the raffle has to be for a charity, the name and address of the charity must be listed in the raffle rules, the date of the drawing must be posted and there must be a way for someone to enter without making a donation. So in the sample rules, Chance2Win has provided for all of these requirements,and the charity will accept self addressed stamp envelope with 1 per entry to meet the no purchase necessary requirement. The Sample Rules are simply a guideline, you need to check with your governing organization to make sure your charity online raffle meets the requirements.
Below is a summary of SOME OF the various legal information regarding online raffles by State. This is not legal advice, we always suggest you consult with an attorney regarding the proper rules for your fundraiser.
This is not current information, we have discontinued updating this list as various states are constantly updating and changing their rules and regulations. Our service provides turnkey fundraiser web sites. It is important to note that we do not manage your fundraiser nor provide any legal advice, we always suggest you consult with an attorney regarding the proper rules for your fundraiser.
Online Raffle Laws
- • Tickets must be sold in person
- • Ticket buyers must be located within the state
- • Online payment processing may be restricted
- • Licensing or reporting requirements may apply
Jump to Your State:
Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | Washington DCAlabama Raffle Laws
Alabama law does not provide a statewide exemption allowing nonprofit raffles. Gambling activities are generally prohibited under state law, though some counties allow limited charitable gaming through local constitutional amendments. Organizations should consult local authorities before conducting a raffle fundraiser.
Alaska Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Alaska permits certain charitable gaming activities including raffles when conducted by qualified nonprofit organizations and when licensing requirements are met.
Arizona Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Arizona allows nonprofit raffles if the organization meets statutory requirements including nonprofit status and operational history.
Arkansas Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Arkansas allows charitable gaming including raffles under state tax and gaming regulations.
California Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
California permits nonprofit raffles under the supervision of the California Department of Justice. Organizations must register annually and follow reporting requirements.
Colorado Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Colorado allows charitable raffles conducted by qualified nonprofit organizations with licensing from the Secretary of State.
Connecticut Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Connecticut regulates raffles through the Department of Consumer Protection and requires licensing for charitable gaming activities.
Delaware Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Delaware allows raffles under regulation by the Delaware Division of Professional Regulation.
Florida Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Florida allows nonprofit raffle drawings under specific conditions outlined in Florida Statute 849.0935.
Georgia Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Georgia allows raffles conducted by nonprofit organizations subject to local permitting requirements.
Hawaii Raffle Laws
⚠ Restricted / Prohibited
Hawaii does not provide a charitable exemption for raffle gaming. Gambling activities including raffles are generally prohibited.
Idaho Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Idaho allows charitable gaming activities including raffles when conducted by qualified nonprofit organizations.
Illinois Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Illinois permits raffles conducted by nonprofit organizations when licensed by local governments.
Indiana Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Indiana allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
Iowa Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Iowa permits nonprofit raffles regulated by the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing.
Kansas Raffle Laws
Kansas legalized nonprofit raffles through a constitutional amendment in 2015. Nonprofits must obtain a raffle license.
Kentucky Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Kentucky permits charitable gaming including raffles regulated by the Department of Charitable Gaming.
Louisiana Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Louisiana regulates raffles through the Office of Charitable Gaming.
Maine Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Maine allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Gambling Control Unit.
Maryland Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Maryland allows raffles conducted by nonprofit organizations under local permitting requirements.
Massachusetts Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Massachusetts allows nonprofit raffles regulated through local licensing with guidance from the Attorney General.
Michigan Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Michigan regulates nonprofit raffles through the Charitable Gaming Division.
Minnesota Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Minnesota allows charitable raffles regulated by the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.
Mississippi Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Mississippi allows certain charitable gaming activities including raffles under state regulations.
Missouri Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Missouri permits nonprofit raffles under state constitutional provisions governing charitable gaming.
Montana Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Montana allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Department of Justice Gambling Control Division.
Nebraska Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Nebraska allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Department of Revenue.
Nevada Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Nevada allows charitable gaming activities under certain conditions regulated by the Gaming Control Board.
New Hampshire Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
New Hampshire regulates charitable gaming including raffles through the Lottery Commission.
New Jersey Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
New Jersey regulates raffles through the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission.
New Mexico Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
New Mexico regulates charitable gaming through the Gaming Control Board.
New York Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
New York allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the New York Gaming Commission.
North Carolina Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
North Carolina allows nonprofit raffles regulated under state statutes.
North Dakota Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
North Dakota regulates raffles through the Attorney General gaming division.
Ohio Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Ohio allows charitable raffles but imposes strict regulations.
Oklahoma Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Oklahoma regulates charitable gaming through the Attorney General and other agencies.
Oregon Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Oregon regulates charitable gaming including raffles through the Department of Justice.
Pennsylvania Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Pennsylvania regulates raffles through the Small Games of Chance Act.
Rhode Island Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Rhode Island regulates charitable gaming through the State Police Charitable Gaming Unit.
South Carolina Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
South Carolina regulates raffles through the Secretary of State.
South Dakota Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
South Dakota allows nonprofit raffles regulated under state gaming statutes.
Tennessee Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Tennessee regulates charitable gaming through the Secretary of State.
Texas Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Texas allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act.
Utah Raffle Laws
⚠ Restricted / Prohibited
Utah law prohibits gambling activities including raffles and does not provide a nonprofit exemption.
Vermont Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Vermont allows nonprofit raffles under state statutes governing charitable gaming.
Virginia Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Virginia regulates raffles through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Washington Raffle Laws
Washington allows nonprofit raffles regulated by the Washington State Gambling Commission.
West Virginia Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
West Virginia regulates raffles and charitable gaming through the State Tax Division.
Wisconsin Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Wisconsin regulates nonprofit raffles through the Department of Administration.
Wyoming Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Wyoming allows charitable raffles regulated by the Wyoming Gaming Commission.
Washington DC Raffle Laws
✓ Permitted with Requirements
Washington DC regulates charitable gaming through the Office of Lottery and Gaming.