Raffles are a great way to raise money, but they fall under the remit of gambling law so it is important to make sure your raffle is legal. To comply with the law and our membership of the Fundraising Regulator, we have developed this guide to help you maximise your fundraising activity.
Held at a physical event, the tickets are either sold at the event or at the venue only in advance.
The winning tickets are drawn during the event.
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These raffle tickets can be sold in advance of the draw date over a longer period of time, and the draw can also be advertised to the general public.
You must apply for official CCLG raffle ticket booklets.
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Run as an activity at an event, the tickets are either sold at the event or at the venue only in advance.
Examples of where an incidental raffle can be held include a tea/coffee morning, charity ball or fundraising day.
For an incidental raffle you can either use cloakroom tickets or make your own tickets.
The rules:
• Tickets must be sold at the event or, if sold in advance, at the venue itself
• All tickets must cost the same amount, i.e. you cannot sell five £1 tickets for £4
• Children under 16 cannot buy or sell tickets
• Winners must be notified, usually during the event itself or immediately afterwards
Organising an incidental raffle is easy and you are unlikely to need any help from CCLG. However, you can request a letter of authority to help you with getting prizes by emailing specialnamedfunds@cclg.org.uk
Small society raffles (also known as society lotteries) are promoted for the benefit of a non-commercial society i.e. for a Special Named Fund.
Small society raffles are the ones where tickets generally come in books of 5 or 10.
You are required to write the name and address of the person buying a ticket on each ticket's stub. The larger portion of the ticket is given to the purchaser as proof of raffle entry.
These raffle tickets can be sold in advance of the draw date over a longer period of time. The draw can also be advertised to the general public.
There are rules and regulations around this type of raffle and there are costs associated with the printing of the tickets (that CCLG will cover).
Small society raffles require a gambling licence.
CCLG Special Named Funds may use CCLG’s gambling licence to hold such raffle by completing the raffle application form and complying with the rules and regulations set out on this page.
Following receipt of your application, you can be provided with:
• Pre-printed books of tickets
• CCLG posters to help you promote and advertise your raffle. These provide space for you to add specific details about your event and/or raffle
Prize donations
Rather than purchasing prize items yourself, consider your connections in the local community and ask them to donate a prize to support your fundraising efforts. Who do you know that could help you? Who in the local area supports charities in this way or has the capacity to extend their support to you?
Plan ahead
Start asking for raffle prizes early to ensure you leave yourself enough time before you need them (if you are running a small society raffle, this will ideally be a minimum of 3 months before the draw date).
Prize expiry dates
Remember that some of your prizes may have an expiry date, such as concert tickets, vouchers and food items.
Be personal
A phone call is always a much better way to make contact and build a relationship. If you plan to make initial approaches in writing, make it personal and try to find a named contact. Why not try sending a handwritten card and include your requested letter of authority from CCLG?
Consider your target audience
When asking for prizes, try and source prizes that will appeal to your raffle audience.
Don’t have too many prizes
Quality is more important than quantity. The top three prizes are the most important and need to stand out as great prizes. The other prizes can be smaller and of less value or interest.
Think creatively
Don’t just look for items, think outside the box and ask for services such as a personal training session or a cookery lesson. These prizes can appeal to many as a worthwhile prize to win, and may help to engage a different kind of local business in future fundraising for your Special Named Fund.
Getting prizes
Be sure to agree on any terms and conditions before you accept a prize that has been donated. Establish whether there are any restrictions. Make sure these are shared with the winners too.
Offer back
Make sure you explain what you can offer them in return for their donation. You may be able to offer a ‘thank you’ in the event programme or a mention on the night (but be careful not to over promise!)
• Think about the prizes you have to offer - who might want to win them? Target the right audience.
• The more people you can tell about your Small Society Raffle, the more chance you have of selling tickets. Design and print posters, create a Facebook page, or send an email at your workplace encouraging everyone to buy a ticket to promote your raffle.
• If you are selling tickets at an event, display the prizes prominently to boost interest in your raffle on the day.
• Selling tickets to friends and family? Why not ask them to sell a book or two to their friends as well?
• Take tickets to groups and clubs you attend, the workplace and gatherings of family and friends.
Important information to know before you run a small society raffle.
Terms and conditions below.
A raffle held by a Special Named Fund is held on behalf of CCLG and therefore is classed as a CCLG raffle. This operates under the Gambling Act 2005 and is licensed by The Gambling Commission.
The raffle is promoted by the sponsoring Special Named Fund.
By entering the raffle participants agree to be bound by the following rules.
• “Act” The Gambling Act 2005
• “Draw” The process by which winners are selected
• “Member” An individual who has bought a raffle ticket
• “Rules” The rules of CCLG raffles as set out below and amended from time to time
• “Chance” The entry into the raffle
• “CCLG” Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group
• “You” Individual who has responsibility for the raffle Entry into the raffle
The raffle is promoted in accordance with the Act, as amended, throughout Great Britain. In order to comply with the Act, during the purchase of raffle chances you will be required to confirm that:
(a) You will ensure that all Members are at least 16 years of age.
(b) No raffle chances will be sold by anyone under the age of 16.
(c) You will not allow Members to buy or claim to buy raffle chances on behalf of any other person. If, upon winning any prize in the raffle, Members are not able to prove that they have met the criteria specified in Rules (a) (b) and (c) above then they will not be entitled to receive that prize.
In order to comply with the Act, raffle chances that have been purchased and entered into the draw for which they were intended are prohibited from being subsequently refunded. By agreeing to these terms and conditions for a CCLG Raffle you agree to be bound by the Rules, and applicable provisions of the Act and any relevant regulations made there under from time to time.
CCLG shall not be liable to raffle organisers or participants for any loss or damage suffered by you arising from:
• Any failure to enter a member’s Chance into the Draw.
• Any event beyond the reasonable control of CCLG.
CCLG shall not be liable to you in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise for any indirect or consequential loss suffered by you in relation to your participation in CCLGs Raffles (including loss of the opportunity to enter the raffle and/or the chance of winning a prize).
Any complaints relating to the raffle should be sent in writing to CCLG, giving full details of the complaint and supporting documentation.
CCLG is committed to protecting your privacy. Data that we collect from you is used lawfully in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and is used solely for the purpose of processing purchases of Raffle Chances, subsequent entry into the raffle, and informing your members if they have won a prize. All data relating to raffle participants must be securely disposed of following the draw or returned to CCLG for disposal.
CCLG and any raffle of a Special Named Fund will not sell, rent or grant access to any of the personal data collected about raffle participants to any third parties without their express prior permission.
Proper Law and Jurisdiction The Laws of England and Wales shall govern the interpretation and/or enforcement of these Terms and Conditions and all entrants hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
All correspondence should be sent to the following address:
Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Century House, 24 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GB.
CCLG shall not be liable for any loss or damage (including loss of the opportunity to enter the raffle and/or the right to receive a prize) suffered by you or a member if you or they have not complied with the Rules.
The rules may be amended by CCLG from time to time.
All raffles are a form of gambling. Participants are encouraged to gamble sensibly.
Should gambling become a problem we recommend members contact the Gamble Aware helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit the website on www.gambleaware.co.uk
