# US Raffle Laws by State: Official Charitable Gaming Resources

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- Last updated: 2026-08-06
- Author: Tom Kelly

US raffle laws by state with direct links to official charitable gaming agencies. Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah prohibit raffles. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used CharityAuctions since 2007. Find permits and regulations for all 50 states and DC. Organizations in prohibited states can run a charity auction as an alternative.

## US Raffle Laws by State: Official Resources

Raffle laws in the United States vary by state. Some states allow charitable raffles with permits. Others prohibit them entirely. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, more than 50,000 organizations have used CharityAuctions since 2007 to run fundraising events. This page links directly to each state's official charitable gaming authority so you can find permits, regulations, and application forms. For organizations in states that prohibit raffles, a [charity auction](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-charity-auction) is the most effective alternative.

**This is informational only, not legal advice.** Laws change. Consult your state's agency or a lawyer before running a raffle.

For planning, compliance, pricing, and execution, see [how to run a raffle fundraiser](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser).

## States that prohibit raffles

Three states prohibit charitable raffles:

| State | Status |
|-------|--------|
| **Alabama** | Raffles prohibited. Considered illegal lotteries. |
| **Hawaii** | Raffles prohibited except when participation is free with voluntary donations. |
| **Utah** | Raffles prohibited. Considered gambling. |

If your organization is in one of these states, do not run a raffle. Consider alternatives: [silent auction software](https://charityauctions.com/silent-auction-software), [donation campaigns](https://charityauctions.com/fundraising-guide), or sponsorships.

Raffles restricted in your state? Charity auctions plus risk-free packages work everywhere. [Create a free account](https://charityauctions.com/auth/risk-free-start)

## States with online raffle restrictions

Some states allow in-person raffles but restrict or prohibit **online raffle ticket sales**. Examples include Arkansas, California, and New Mexico. Check your state's official resource below for current rules.

## Key legal themes

Before contacting your state agency, understand common requirements:

- **Permits or licenses** – Most states require nonprofits to obtain a permit before selling tickets. Fees often range from $15 to $500.
- **Qualified organizations** – Typically limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofits; some states require 1–5 years of operation.
- **Ticket disclosures** – Drawing date, time, location; prize descriptions; permit number; organization name and contact.
- **Transparent drawings** – Public or documented drawings; records of winners; retention for reporting.
- **Post-event reporting** – Financial reports (gross receipts, prizes, expenses) due 30–90 days after the raffle.
- **Prize limits** – Some states cap prize values or restrict cash prizes.

Source: [National Council of Nonprofits](https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/fundraising-and-resource-development/games-chance-raffles-and-charity-auctions)

## How to use this guide

1. **Find your state** in the table below.
2. **Click the official link** to reach your state's charitable gaming authority.
3. **Review permits, regulations, and applications** on the state site.
4. **Apply early.** Processing often takes weeks. Do not sell tickets until approved.
5. **Consult legal counsel** if your situation is complex or you operate across state lines.

## US Raffle Laws: Official State Resources

| State | Official Resource |
|-------|-------------------|
| Alabama | [Alabama Attorney General](https://www.alabamaag.gov/). *Raffles prohibited* |
| Alaska | [Alaska Dept. of Revenue – Charitable Gaming](https://www.tax.alaska.gov/programs/programs/index.aspx?60600) |
| Arizona | [Arizona Attorney General – Raffles](https://www.azag.gov/) |
| Arkansas | [Arkansas Dept. of Finance & Administration – Charitable Bingo & Raffles](https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/taxes/excise-tax-administration/miscellaneous-tax/arkansas-miscellaneous-tax-laws/bingo-raffle/) |
| California | [CA Attorney General – Raffles for Nonprofits](https://oag.ca.gov/charities/raffles) |
| Colorado | [CO Secretary of State – Bingo & Raffles](https://www.sos.state.co.us/) |
| Connecticut | [CT Dept. of Consumer Protection – Gaming](https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/gaming-division/gaming) |
| Delaware | [DE Division of Professional Regulation – Board of Charitable Gaming](https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/gaming/) |
| District of Columbia | [DC Lottery – Charitable Games](https://dclottery.com/charitable-games) |
| Florida | [Florida Statutes §849.0935 – Raffles by Nonprofits](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0849/Sections/0849.0935.html) |
| Georgia | [GA Code §16-12-22.1 – Raffles](https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia) + Local Sheriff permit required |
| Hawaii | [Hawaii Attorney General](https://ag.hawaii.gov/). *Raffles prohibited* |
| Idaho | [Idaho State Lottery – Charitable Gaming](https://www.idaholottery.com/charitable-gaming) |
| Illinois | [IL Raffles Act (230 ILCS 15)](https://www.ilga.gov/) |
| Indiana | [Indiana Gaming Commission – Charity Gaming](https://www.in.gov/igc/charity-gaming/) |
| Iowa | [IA Racing & Gaming Commission – Raffles](https://dial.iowa.gov/licenses/gambling-amusement-devices/charitable-gambling) |
| Kansas | [KS Dept. of Revenue – Bingo & Raffles](https://www.ksrevenue.gov/bingoraffle.html) |
| Kentucky | [KY Dept. of Charitable Gaming](https://dcg.ky.gov/) |
| Louisiana | [LA Office of State Police – Charitable Gaming](https://dps.louisiana.gov/ops/charitable-gaming/) |
| Maine | [Maine Gambling Control Unit – Raffles](https://www.maine.gov/dps/gcu) |
| Maryland | [MD State Gaming](https://sos.maryland.gov/Charity/pages/raffles.aspx). *Check county requirements* |
| Massachusetts | [MA Attorney General – Raffles & Bazaars](https://www.mass.gov/) |
| Michigan | [Michigan Charitable Gaming Division](https://www.michigan.gov/cg) |
| Minnesota | [MN Gambling Control Board – Lawful Gambling](https://mn.gov/gcb/) |
| Mississippi | [MS Gaming Commission – Charitable Gaming](https://www.msgamingcommission.com/index.php/forms_procedures/charitable_gaming) |
| Missouri | [Missouri Gaming Commission – Charitable Gaming](https://mgc.dps.mo.gov/Charitable_Games/cg_formsNapps.html) |
| Montana | [MT Dept. of Justice – Gambling Control Division](https://dojmt.gov/gaming/) |
| Nebraska | [NE Dept. of Revenue – Charitable Gaming](https://revenue.nebraska.gov/gaming) |
| Nevada | [NV Gaming Control Board – Charitable Lotteries/Raffles](https://gaming.nv.gov/) |
| New Hampshire | [NH Racing & Charitable Gaming Commission](https://www.compliance.lottery.nh.gov/) |
| New Jersey | NJ Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission |
| New Mexico | [NM Gaming Control Board – Charitable Gaming](https://www.nmgcb.org/) |
| New York | [NY Gaming Commission – Charitable Gaming](https://www.gaming.ny.gov/charitablegaming/) |
| North Carolina | [NC Dept. of Justice – Raffles](https://sosnc.gov/divisions/charities) |
| North Dakota | [ND Attorney General – Gaming Division](https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/licensing-and-gaming/gaming) |
| Ohio | [Ohio Attorney General – Charitable Gaming](https://charitable.ohioago.gov/Charitable-Gaming) |
| Oklahoma | [OK ABLE Commission – Charitable Raffles](https://www.able.ok.gov/) |
| Oregon | [OR Dept. of Justice – Charitable Activities](https://www.doj.state.or.us/charitable-activities/) |
| Pennsylvania | [PA Bureau of Licensing – Games of Chance](https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/) |
| Rhode Island | [RI Dept. of Business Regulation – Charitable Gaming](https://dbr.ri.gov/divisions/gaming/) |
| South Carolina | [SC Secretary of State – Charitable Solicitations](https://sos.sc.gov/) |
| South Dakota | [SD Commission on Gaming – Raffles](https://sdsos.gov/general-information/executive-actions/raffle-requests/default.aspx) |
| Tennessee | [TN Secretary of State – Charitable Solicitations](https://sos.tn.gov/charities) |
| Texas | [TX Office of Attorney General – Charitable Raffles](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection) |
| Utah | [Utah Attorney General](https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/). *Raffles prohibited* |
| Vermont | [VT Dept. of Liquor & Lottery – Charitable Gaming](https://www.vermont.gov/) |
| Virginia | [VA Dept. of Agriculture – Charitable Gaming](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/food-charitable-gaming.shtml) |
| Washington | [WA Gambling Commission – Raffles](https://wsgc.wa.gov/rules-enforcement/educational-materials-and-printable-handouts/raffles) |
| West Virginia | [WV Attorney General](https://ago.wv.gov/) |
| Wisconsin | [WI Dept. of Administration – Raffles](https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LicensesHearings/RaffleLicense.aspx) |
| Wyoming | [WY Attorney General](https://wyoleg.gov/). *Check state statutes* |

## More resources

- [How to run a raffle fundraiser](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser) – Planning, permits, pricing, formats, and execution
- [9 raffle games to help you raise more](https://charityauctions.com/9-raffle-games-to-help-you-raise-more-money) – 50/50, basket, wine pull, and more
- [National Council of Nonprofits – State Fundraising Regulations](https://www.councilofnonprofits.org)

## Legal disclaimer

Raffle laws change. State agencies reorganize. Links may become outdated. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Always confirm with your state's official charitable gaming authority or a qualified attorney before conducting a raffle.

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*This guide is maintained by CharityAuctions. Bookmark this page and check state links periodically as laws evolve. Questions? [Talk to our team](https://charityauctions.com/talk-to-us).*

## FAQ

### Which states prohibit raffles?

Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah prohibit charitable raffles. If your organization is in one of these states, you cannot legally run a raffle. See [how to run a raffle fundraiser](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser) for alternatives.

### Where do I find my state's raffle permit application?

Use the table in this article to find your state's official charitable gaming agency (usually the Attorney General, gaming commission, or Secretary of State). Each agency link goes to permits, regulations, and application forms.

### Can I sell raffle tickets online in my state?

Online raffle ticket sales are restricted or prohibited in several states, including Arkansas, California, and New Mexico. Check your state's link in the table above for current online raffle rules.

### Do I need a permit before selling raffle tickets?

Most states that allow raffles require a permit or license before you sell tickets. Apply early. Processing can take weeks. [How to run a raffle fundraiser](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-raffle-fundraiser) covers the full planning and compliance process.

### What can I do instead of a raffle in a state where raffles are prohibited?

Organizations in Alabama, Hawaii, and Utah can run a charity auction instead. Auctions do not require a gambling permit and are legal in all 50 states. According to CharityAuctions.com platform data, auctions with mobile bidding raise an average of 43% more per event than paper-based formats. See [how to run a charity auction](https://charityauctions.com/how-to-run-a-charity-auction) for a full planning guide.

## Next step

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