Rules for holding a Raffle
What is a raffle? (The terms “raffles” and “lotteries” are used interchangeably)
A raffle has three elements:
i.
ii.
iii.
A prize
An element of chance to win
The participants make a contribution to obtain the chance
Raffles are illegal unless they fall within a permitted exception – this is really important as under
Gambling law if not, we have committed a criminal offence!
There are, however, a number of easy ways you can avoid restrictions concerning lotteries
1. Free prize draws are not lotteries, as no donation or contribution is ‘necessary’ i.e. you can
donate as little or as much as you want. So, you cannot sell tickets for a set price, you can only
ask for a donation, and if indeed the person does not give one it cannot be enforced. To do
this you must:
i.
Accompany all advertising material by the words ‘No donation necessary’
2.
Prize competitions are not lotteries although they must not:
i.
Involve predicting the result of an event e.g. you cannot set questions which forecast
which football team will win the Premier League – this is betting
ii.
There must be some element of skill to the questions set – therefore removing the
element of chance to win
3. Lawful ‘exempt entertainment’ lotteries They occur at a fete, dinner, dance, sporting event or
entertainment of similar character and must:
i.
Not have ‘money’ prizes (including cheque, bank note, postal order and gift vouchers
etc)
ii.
Not have more than £250 spent on prizes, although a prize can exceed this if it was
donated.
iii.
Have tickets sold only at the event and the result declared by the end of the event
iv.
Not have the raffle as the only inducement for attendance at the event
v.
Not have proceeds going to private gain
4. Private Lotteries
These can only be promoted to:
 Members of one society
 People who work on the same premises (not the same company) i.e. student
activities could promote to all in John Locke building but not Kent Union
Additionally:




It must be promoted by a member of the society and cannot be generally advertised
(on campus for example) only by notice on the societies premises (e.g. at a meeting)
Tickets cannot be sent through the post
Ticket price must be the same and stated on the ticket
Tickets must have name and address of promoter on them and state who is eligible to
participate.
5. Society* Lotteries
Ticket Price




Maximum price of a ticket is £1
The ticket price cannot depend on the number of tickets purchased or chance, unless the
total amount does not exceed £1
All tickets sold must be the same price
There must be no refunds or part-payments
Prizes
 The maximum amount spent on prizes cannot exceed 55% of the proceeds
*The term society includes any club, institution, organisation or association (i.e. KU sports, societies,
volunteering societies, media etc…are all included in this definition)