How to Raffle Off Property

Raffles are essentially lotteries that offer prizes that are goods or services rather than cash. When it comes to offering property as the prize for a raffle, there are a few basic processes that should always be observed before beginning the effort.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Permit
• Printed Tickets
• Raffle Rules and Guidelines
• Process For Selecting the Winner
• Designated location for the drawing

1. Check with local authorities about laws regarding raffles. In some municipalities, laws do not permit raffles to be conducted by any individual or by a business entity, but do allow raffles to be conducted by charities and other non-profit organizations. Make sure you or your organization can legally conduct a raffle, and that offering property is as the prize is also permitted.
2. Determine the price for each ticket. Ideally, the point of the raffle is to raise a particular amount of money for a specific purpose. Taking into consideration the potential base of participants in the area, the amount of time available to proactively promote the raffle, and the ability to have several people selling tickets to interested participants will help determine how many tickets are likely to be sold. This information should provide some assistance in determining the price for the individual tickets.
3. Develop the rules, procedures, and guidelines that will govern the process of the raffle. Many municipalities that allow raffles will also include documentation on how to remain within compliance with applicable laws. Use those documents as a basis for drafting the guidelines. Be sure to include the date, time, and location for the raffle to take place, as well as outlining how the winning ticket will be selected. Also, make sure you include eligibility requirements that are in keeping with local laws.
4. Compare the structure of the raffle to other raffles that have taken place in the general area. By talking with others who have successfully conducted raffles, you may pick up some pointers that will influence the final draft of the raffle guidelines and rules.
5. Structure the design of the tickets. You may want to include fields for names, mailing addresses, telephone contact numbers, and email addresses. This is particularly important if the raffle does not require the winner to be present at the actual drawing. Also, consider a perforated design that includes a specific ticket number on both the raffle ticket proper and the stub that is given to the buyer.
6. Print the raffle tickets, guidelines, and promotional material. Today, this can often be done using desktop computers and printers that are found in the home and in offices. However, if time and funds allow, using a professional printer will provide a more polished appearance to the materials and may attract a wider range of participants.
7. Hold the raffle on time and at the location named in the promotional material. Make sure that all participants are provided the chance to attend the actual drawing, if they so desire. Be prepared to release the property to the possession of the winner immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Always allow plenty of time to publicize a raffle. If possible, designate one key person who can control the issuing of tickets for sale by volunteers, or arrange one central site where tickets can be obtained.
• Never begin making plans for a raffle before checking local laws and regulations. Assuming that your organization can conduct a raffle just because someone else has done so in the past is not enough. Laws change and often are very specific when it comes to drawings and raffles.