Running a raffle is a tried-and-true way to raise money for a club, school, charity or community group in Victoria. It’s engaging, it brings people together and, when it’s done properly, it can be a reliable fundraising stream.
Because raffles are “minor gaming” under Victorian law, there are specific rules you need to follow. Understanding those rules isn’t just a box-ticking exercise - it protects your organisation, builds trust with participants and keeps your fundraising on the right side of the law.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of raffle regulations in Victoria, including who can run a raffle, when you need a permit, the rules around tickets and prizes, record-keeping, online raffles and the documents worth having in place.
What Counts As A Raffle In Victoria?
A raffle is a lottery where participants purchase tickets for a chance to win a prize, and the winner is chosen at random. In Victoria, raffles sit within the “minor gaming” framework and are overseen by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
The core idea is simple: you’re raising funds for a community or charitable purpose by offering prizes of chance. Because there’s an element of gambling (chance-based selection), Victorian law sets out who can run raffles, how they’re conducted and how the proceeds must be used.
At a high level, the rules aim to ensure fairness in the draw, transparency in advertising and ticketing, and accountability for how funds are handled and distributed to the nominated purpose.
Do You Need A Permit Or Registration?
Not every raffle requires a permit in Victoria, but the rules do require that the promoter is eligible and, in some circumstances, that you obtain a permit before selling or advertising tickets.
- Who can run a raffle: Only “declared community or charitable organisations” can legally conduct a raffle in Victoria. Generally, this means not-for-profit clubs, community associations, charities and schools. For-profit businesses and private individuals can’t run public raffles.
- When a permit is required: If the total value of prizes exceeds $20,000, you must apply for a permit and receive approval before you promote or sell tickets.
- When a permit isn’t required: If your total prize pool is $20,000 or less, you don’t need a permit, but you still need to follow all other raffle rules.
- Declaration status: Even where a permit isn’t required, the promoter must be eligible (that is, a declared community or charitable organisation). ACNC charity registration can help demonstrate purpose for some organisations, but being ACNC-registered is not the only pathway to eligibility.
Permit applications need accurate details about your organisation, the prizes, how the draw will work and how proceeds will be used. If your raffle is large or complex, it’s worth getting operating a competition advice before you apply, so your paperwork is right from the start.
Step-By-Step: How To Run A Compliant Raffle
1) Confirm Your Eligibility And Purpose
Make sure your organisation is not-for-profit and eligible to conduct raffles in Victoria, and be clear about your fundraising purpose (for example, equipment for a local club or a specific school program). Being clear on purpose helps with promotion, record-keeping and (if required) permit approval.
2) Check If A Permit Is Needed
- Estimate the total retail value of all prizes.
- If the total is over $20,000, apply for a permit before you advertise or sell tickets.
- If the total is $20,000 or less, no permit is needed - but all other legal requirements still apply.
3) Set Clear Raffle Rules (Terms And Conditions)
Your raffle needs transparent rules that are easy for participants to find and understand. In practice, this is your “raffle terms and conditions”. They should cover:
- How, when and where the draw will take place and how winners will be selected.
- Eligibility to enter (for example, age, residency or exclusion of organisers).
- The full description and retail value of each prize, and any important conditions on use.
- How winners will be notified and how unclaimed prizes are handled.
- Your organisation’s name and, if applicable, your permit number.
It’s common to publish these rules on your website and display key details on tickets and promotional materials. For consistency and clarity, many groups start with professionally prepared Competition Terms & Conditions tailored to raffles.
Ticketing and advertising must be accurate and fair. Tickets usually include your organisation name, a unique ticket number, price, permit number (if any), and a clear reference to where the full raffle terms are located. Make sure your advertising matches the facts - the number of prizes, their value and the draw method should be consistent everywhere.
When promoting your raffle, ensure statements about prizes, odds and beneficiaries are accurate to comply with the Australian Consumer Law. If you’re unsure whether a claim could mislead, check your copy against this overview of misleading or deceptive conduct.
5) Run The Draw Fairly (And As Advertised)
The draw should follow your published rules and be conducted fairly and transparently. A practical approach is to have an independent person witness the draw, maintain a clear audit trail of the process and contact winners promptly in line with your terms. If you specify a redraw process for unclaimed prizes, follow it exactly.
6) Keep Comprehensive Records
Good record-keeping is essential. Keep the following for at least three years:
- Ticket sales and distribution records (including unsold tickets).
- All income and expenses related to the raffle (printing, advertising, prize purchases or valuations).
- Evidence showing how net proceeds were applied to your nominated purpose.
If your raffle required a permit, the law requires you to submit a financial statement to the VGCCC after the raffle. Accurate records make that straightforward.
Rules On Tickets, Prizes, Advertising And Records
Beyond the permit question, Victorian raffle rules focus on fairness and transparency. Here are the key areas to get right.
Ticketing And Pricing
- Ticket prices can be set at your discretion, including bundles (for example, “3 for $10”), provided pricing is presented clearly and consistently.
- Each ticket should have a unique number and show the promoting organisation, the price and, where relevant, the permit number.
- Make sure participants can access your full raffle terms before purchase.
Prizes And Prize Descriptions
- Describe each prize accurately, including the recommended retail value and any important restrictions or expiry dates.
- Some items can be restricted or require extra steps under other laws (for example, liquor service rules, age-restricted products, firearms). If a prize might raise a licensing or safety issue, seek advice before finalising it.
- Cash or gift card prizes are commonly used; if offering cash equivalents, ensure values are clear.
- Advertising must be truthful and not misleading about the raffle, prizes, odds or beneficiaries under the Australian Consumer Law.
- If you’re promoting by email or SMS, ensure your messaging complies with Australia’s email marketing laws (including consents and unsubscribe functionality).
- Where the raffle is permitted, include the permit number in your promotional materials as required.
Use Of Proceeds
- Proceeds (less legitimate and reasonable expenses) must be applied to the specific community or charitable purpose you’ve nominated.
- Keep a clear reconciliation showing gross proceeds, expenses, net proceeds and the distribution to your purpose or beneficiary.
Record-Keeping And Reporting
- Maintain a complete file - terms, permits and approvals, advertising proofs, ticket books, sales logs and financials - for at least three years.
- If a permit was required, lodge the post‑raffle financial statement to the VGCCC within the required timeframe.
Online Raffles And Cross‑Border Sales
Many organisations now sell raffle tickets online or promote raffles through social media. The core Victorian rules still apply, but a few extra considerations come into play.
- Permits still apply: Selling tickets online doesn’t change the permit threshold. If your prize pool is over $20,000, apply and be approved before promoting or selling tickets.
- Privacy compliance: If you collect names, emails, phone numbers or payment details, you should have a clear Privacy Policy and a suitable Privacy Collection Notice explaining how you’ll handle personal information.
- Clear online terms: Make the raffle terms and draw details easy to find and access. Many groups publish the rules on a web page and refer to them on the checkout page and receipt.
- Cross-border sales: If you promote or sell tickets outside Victoria, you may also need to comply with raffle laws in other Australian states or territories (and overseas, if relevant). If you plan to sell broadly, it’s wise to get tailored advice first.
- Security and payments: Use reputable payment gateways, maintain accurate records and consider a basic escalation plan for issues. Where you’re running broader giveaways alongside your raffle, check the guidance on giveaway laws in Australia.
If you’re building a landing page or checkout for your raffle, well-drafted Competition Terms & Conditions make it easy to align your online flow with the legal requirements.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
- Advertising before approval: Don’t promote or sell tickets for a high‑value raffle until your permit is granted.
- Inconsistent statements: Make sure every channel (posters, social media, web pages, emails) shows consistent prize values, draw dates and eligibility. This also reduces the risk of misleading or deceptive conduct.
- Vague rules: If you don’t specify the draw method, redraws or how you’ll contact winners, disputes can arise. Clear terms upfront save headaches later.
- Poor record‑keeping: Missing ticket logs, receipts or prize valuation evidence makes post‑raffle reporting harder and increases compliance risk.
- Cross‑border blind spots: Selling into other states without checking their rules can cause last‑minute compliance problems.
Helpful Documents For Your Raffle
While the exact paperwork depends on your raffle’s size and scope, most organisations consider the following:
- Raffle Terms And Conditions: The rules of the raffle covering entry, draw, prizes, eligibility, winner notification and unclaimed prize handling - typically published online and referenced on tickets and ads. A tailored set of Competition Terms & Conditions is the usual approach.
- Permit Application & Approval: Required where the prize pool exceeds $20,000; retain your approval letter and a copy of your application.
- Ticketing & Sales Records: Sequential ticket numbers, sales logs, unsold tickets and reconciliations, stored securely for at least three years.
- Financial Statement: Post‑raffle reporting to the VGCCC (if a permit was required), backed by your internal records and receipts.
- Privacy Documents: A website Privacy Policy and a Privacy Collection Notice if you are collecting personal information online.
If you’d like a sense check on your terms, privacy content or strategy for a higher-value or multi‑jurisdiction raffle, our team can provide practical, tailored advice to keep you compliant and confident.
Key Takeaways
- In Victoria, only declared community or charitable organisations can legally run public raffles.
- If your total prize value exceeds $20,000, obtain a permit before promoting or selling tickets; under that threshold, no permit is required but all other rules still apply.
- Clear raffle terms, accurate ticketing, honest advertising and fair draw procedures are essential for compliance.
- Keep robust records - ticket logs, financials, advertising proofs and distribution of proceeds - for at least three years; submit post‑raffle reporting if a permit was required.
- Online raffles must meet the same rules, plus privacy and marketing obligations - publish a compliant Privacy Policy and ensure email and SMS promotions meet email marketing laws.
- Well‑drafted Competition Terms & Conditions and appropriate privacy documents make compliance easier and reduce disputes.
If you would like a consultation on raffle regulations in Victoria or support setting up compliant fundraising terms and privacy documents, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no‑obligations chat.
