Running a raffle can be a great way to raise funds, bring your community together and shine a light on a cause you care about. In Queensland, though, raffles are regulated - and the rules you’ll need to follow depend on who’s running the draw, the value of the prizes, and how you sell tickets.
In this guide, we’ll walk through Queensland’s raffle framework in plain English. You’ll learn when a raffle is allowed, how trade promotions are different, when a licence is required, what must appear on tickets and ads, and the extra boxes to tick if you sell tickets online. By the end, you’ll have a clear, practical roadmap for running a compliant draw in Queensland.
What Is A Raffle In Queensland?
In Queensland, a raffle is a game of chance where people buy tickets for the chance to win a prize. These activities fall under Queensland’s charitable and non‑profit gaming laws and are overseen by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR).
That means raffles are generally intended for fundraising by eligible non‑profit associations (for example, community, sporting, religious or charitable organisations). If you’re selling tickets to the public and the winner is determined purely by chance, you’re likely in “raffle” territory rather than running a general marketing competition.
You’ll sometimes see raffles referred to as “art unions” in Queensland - it’s the same idea: ticket sales, winners drawn by chance, prizes awarded according to set rules.
If you want to put your plans in a national context, Queensland’s rules sit within the broader picture of charitable gaming and prize draws across Australia, with some unique thresholds and terminology.
This is one of the most common questions we hear - especially from businesses.
As a general rule, for‑profit businesses can’t run a “raffle” (i.e. sell tickets for a chance to win) unless the activity is being conducted by or for an eligible non‑profit organisation. A genuine fundraiser must benefit the stated non‑profit cause, not a commercial entity.
If you’re a business wanting to energise customers with a prize draw, the usual pathway is a trade promotion. A trade promotion is free to enter and linked to your goods or services (for example, “enter your details for a chance to win when you purchase a coffee” - but the entry itself can’t be an extra paid ticket). Queensland permits trade promotions provided the competition is fair, the winner is chosen by chance (or by set skill criteria if you’re running a game of skill), and the rules are clear and accessible.
For promotions, it’s smart to set out clear, tailored Competition Terms & Conditions covering eligibility, entry mechanics, prize details, draw procedures and winner notifications. For a quick sense-check on what’s expected, it’s worth framing your plans against Australia’s general giveaway laws as well.
Do You Need A Licence In Queensland?
For charitable or non‑profit raffles, Queensland groups games of chance into categories based on gross proceeds and prize value. The bigger the raffle, the tighter the rules and (for the largest raffles) the need for a licence.
Core Queensland Raffle Categories (Charitable/Non‑Profit)
- Category 1 (small raffles): Low‑value raffles with modest gross proceeds. Licence not required. You still need to follow the conduct rules (e.g. fair draw, accurate records, prizes delivered).
- Category 2 (mid‑tier raffles): Medium‑value raffles. Licence typically not required, but stricter requirements apply around ticket content, how you advertise and conduct the draw, and record‑keeping.
- Category 3 (large raffles): High‑value raffles. Licence required from OLGR before you start selling tickets, plus additional reporting and display obligations (including using the licence/permit number in tickets and advertising).
In Queensland practice, the key threshold to have in mind is that larger raffles (with higher gross proceeds and prize pools) generally move into Category 3 and trigger licensing. Smaller Category 1 draws are exempt from licensing but must still follow the core conduct and transparency rules. Mid‑tier Category 2 draws don’t need a licence, but you’ll be held to stricter standards and record‑keeping.
Because thresholds and administrative requirements can be updated, the safest approach is to estimate your total proceeds and prize pool early and cross‑check your category with the latest OLGR guidance before you announce or open sales. If you’ll need a licence, factor in approval time so you’re not forced to delay your launch after marketing has started.
If you want a Queensland‑specific primer you can refer back to as you plan, our dedicated overview of raffle laws in Queensland outlines the practical steps and obligations at each stage.
Rules For Tickets, Prizes, Advertising And Online Sales
Whether or not you need a licence, raffles must be conducted fairly and transparently. Getting the details right on tickets, adverts and prize handling will make your draw smoother - and keep you compliant.
Ticket Content And Pricing
- Essential ticket details: Include your organisation’s name, the fundraising purpose, ticket price, the draw date/time/place, prize descriptions (and the total retail value if relevant), and how winners will be notified.
- Unique identification: Each ticket or entry must be uniquely identifiable (e.g. a number or code) so the draw is auditable and proceeds can be reconciled.
- Licence/permit number: If your raffle requires a licence, display the licence or permit number on all tickets and promotional materials.
Prizes: What You Can Offer And How To Describe Them
- Accurate descriptions: Use genuine retail values and clear descriptions. Avoid exaggeration or ambiguous wording about prize availability or features.
- Age‑restricted items: If you’re offering alcohol or other restricted items, comply with Queensland’s supply and age‑limit rules. For alcohol prizes, collection and proof‑of‑age processes matter.
- Substitutions: Only substitute a prize if your rules allow it, the replacement is of equal or higher value, and you communicate the change clearly to entrants.
- Delivery: Make sure your process for handing over prizes is documented and timely. Keep records of delivery or collection.
Advertising And Winner Selection
- Don’t mislead: Ads must be accurate and clear. Your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) include avoiding misleading or deceptive conduct, so check that your copy matches your rules and budget.
- Eligibility: Spell out who can enter, any age or residency limits, and who is excluded (often organisers and immediate family, depending on your rules).
- Random draw method: Explain how the winner will be chosen (e.g. a barrel draw, a random number generator). The method must be genuinely random and verifiable.
- Digital ticketing: Electronic tickets are fine if they carry all required information and each entry can be uniquely identified.
- Payment handling: Use reputable gateways and keep an auditable trail for sales, refunds, voided tickets and reconciliations.
- Email and SMS outreach: If you promote your raffle to a mailing list, ensure your communications comply with Australia’s anti‑spam and email marketing laws.
Privacy, Data And Records
- Privacy Policy: If you collect personal information (names, emails, phone numbers, addresses), publish a clear, accessible Privacy Policy that explains what you collect, why, and how you’ll use and store it.
- Purpose limitation: Only use entrant data for the stated purposes (e.g. administering the raffle and notifying winners) unless you have consent for additional uses.
- Retention and security: Store records securely and for the required retention period under OLGR rules. It also helps to be across broader data retention laws in Australia.
Planning Your Queensland Raffle: Step‑By‑Step
If you’re just getting started, break the job into manageable steps. Here’s a practical sequence that works for most Queensland charitable raffles.
Confirm whether your activity is a charitable raffle for an eligible non‑profit (ticket sales allowed) or a business promotion (free entry only). Many businesses choose a trade promotion pathway and publish strong Competition Terms & Conditions to keep things simple and compliant.
2) Estimate Proceeds And Map Your Category
Sketch out your target ticket price, number of tickets, and total prize pool. Use those figures to gauge which Queensland category you fall into. If you’re approaching the higher category threshold, plan for the extra time and requirements that come with a licence.
3) Draft Your Rules And Tickets
Write your raffle rules in plain English. Cover eligibility, entry methods, draw timing and method, winner notification and prize delivery. Prepare tickets (paper or digital) with the required details - and include your licence/permit number if your category requires one.
4) Set Up Payments, Controls And Records
Choose secure payment channels and set up a central ledger for sales and expenses. Assign a responsible person to oversee stock control of tickets, supervise the draw, and sign off on post‑draw reports. Keep copies of everything: rules, ads, ticket runs, sales reports and winner verifications.
Make your Privacy Policy easily accessible from your entry page, explain what data you collect and why, and ensure your forms only ask for what you reasonably need to run the draw.
Review your website, social posts and flyers for accuracy. Avoid claims about prize value, odds or chances of winning that you can’t back up - this helps keep you onside with the ACL, including its rules against misleading conduct. If you email your list, double‑check your unsubscribe and consent settings to align with email marketing laws.
7) Conduct The Draw And Close Out
Run the draw exactly as described in your rules. Record the process, capture the winning ticket identifiers, have an authorised person verify the result, notify winners promptly and deliver prizes. Finalise and store your records for the required period (and file any reports if your licence conditions require it).
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
- Advertising too early: Don’t promote a large raffle before your licence is granted - approval can take time.
- Light‑on ticket information: Missing draw details or vague prize descriptions are red flags. Include the essentials on the ticket and in your rules.
- Charging for “free” promotions: If you’re a business, charging any fee to enter risks turning your promotion into a regulated raffle.
- Weak data practices: Collecting more data than needed or skipping your privacy notice can create compliance headaches. Limit data and be transparent.
- Misleading marketing: Overstating prize pools or odds can breach the ACL. Align your ads with your final rules and budget.
Key Takeaways
- Queensland “raffles” are typically run by eligible non‑profits for fundraising; businesses usually opt for free‑to‑enter trade promotions instead of selling tickets.
- Licence needs depend on category: small raffles usually don’t require a licence, mid‑tier raffles face stricter conduct rules, and high‑value raffles generally require OLGR licensing.
- Tickets and ads must be clear and accurate - include organiser details, purpose, price, draw information, prize descriptions and (if required) your licence number, and keep messaging consistent with the Australian Consumer Law.
- If you sell tickets online, publish a visible Privacy Policy, use secure payments, comply with email marketing laws and maintain auditable records for the required retention period.
- Plain‑English rules, tailored Competition Terms & Conditions (for promotions) and solid internal controls make it easier to run a fair, compliant draw from day one.
- Plan your category early and don’t announce a large raffle until you’ve secured any required licence. A quick check against Queensland raffle rules can save you time and stress.
If you’d like a consultation on planning a compliant raffle or trade promotion in Queensland, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no‑obligations chat.
