Charity Raffle Rules UK: Legal Guide for Running Raffles

Raffles are one of the most popular and effective fundraising tools — but there are rules. This guide explains what's legal and how to stay compliant.

Types of Raffle

1. Incidental (Non-Commercial) Lottery

A raffle held at an event where it's not the main attraction (e.g., raffle at a quiz night or dinner).

• No licence needed
• Tickets must be sold and drawn at the event
• Cannot be sold in advance or outside the venue
• No cash prizes — goods only
• No limit on ticket sales or prize value

2. Small Society Lottery

A raffle where tickets are sold in advance — the most common charity raffle type.

• Register with your local council (not the Gambling Commission)
• Registration costs £40 (one-off) + annual fee (~£20)
• Maximum ticket sales: £20,000 per draw
• Maximum single prize: £25,000
• Minimum 20% of proceeds to the charitable purpose
• Cannot sell tickets to under-16s
• Must print charity name, price, and draw date on every ticket

3. Prize Draw (Not a Raffle)

A prize draw requires no purchase to enter — it's not legally a lottery. Used in marketing and promotions.

• Must offer a free entry route
• No registration needed
• No prize limits

Key Rules for All Charity Raffles

• Name on tickets — your charity's name must appear on every ticket
• Price on tickets — every ticket must show the price
• Same price — all tickets must be the same price (no bulk discounts)
• Draw date — must be stated on the ticket
• No selling to under-16s — even at events
• Record keeping — keep records of tickets sold, revenue, prizes, and winners

Online Raffles

Online raffles (selling tickets via website/social media) are legal for registered small society lotteries, with the same rules as physical ticket sales. Ensure your registration covers online sales.

Common Mistakes

1. Selling tickets in advance without registration — this is illegal, even for small amounts
2. Offering cash prizes at incidental raffles — not allowed
3. Not printing charity name on tickets — required by law
4. Selling to children — must be 16+ for any lottery ticket