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US Raffle Laws by State

Unites states as seen from space

Raffle

online fundraising

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March 24, 2026

State Regulations Governing Fundraising Raffles

Fundraising raffles are legal and effective for most types of nonprofit organizations. However, care must be taken to ensure that the raffle is conducted in accordance with all applicable raffle laws and regulations.

Raffles are considered a game of chance. Thus, selling and purchasing raffle tickets is a gambling activity—even for charitable purposes. In the United States, the laws regulating raffles and raffle ticket sales are administered by state and county governments. For the states in which nonprofit raffles are legal, charitable organizations must obtain a raffle permit or raffle license.

There’s a huge variance in the legality and legal requirements for raffles across the United States. Some states allow in-person fundraising raffles but not online charity raffles, and in several states, raffles of any kind are completely illegal.

What is a Legal Alternative to a Raffle?

Charity sweepstakes are legal in almost all 50 states. They are not considered gambling because participants aren’t required to pay an entry fee.  Read Charity Sweepstakes or Raffles for more details.

Can Your Charitable Organization Legally Run a Raffle?

Below is a list of links to regulations and laws that govern raffles in each state. Please use it to begin your research and make sure that your raffle drawing is in accordance with your local raffle laws.

Which States Prohibit Raffles?

In most states, qualifying nonprofits can legally run a raffle with the appropriate permit or license. However, three states stand apart:

  • Alabama — Raffles are considered illegal lotteries under state law, with no exceptions for nonprofits.
  • Hawaii — Raffles are prohibited unless participation is entirely free; paid-ticket raffles are not permitted.
  • Utah — Paid-ticket raffles are prohibited. Nonprofits may only conduct a raffle if a clearly advertised free entry option is offered.

In all other states, raffles are legal for qualifying nonprofits, though licensing requirements, permit fees, and eligibility rules vary significantly. Use the state links below to research the specific requirements in your state.

Raffle Laws and Regulations by State

Critical Points to Understand

  • Nonprofit raffles may only be run by qualified organizations. Raffles to benefit personal causes are not allowed on Eventgroove Fundraising under any circumstances.
  • Nonprofit organizations running fundraiser raffles are regulated by their state and, in some cases, local laws, and therefore are fully responsible for complete legal compliance. The organization must directly consult their state and locality’s specific rules, laws, and regulations.
  • We strongly advise seeking guidance from legal counsel and your state attorney general’s office if you are unsure of your area’s raffle regulations.
  • The kind of raffle you run may be affected by different laws. Some states may allow in-person raffles but not online raffles, while other prohibit 50/50 raffles. 

All Terms of Use, including the roles and responsibilities of all parties, are defined in Eventgroove’s Terms of Use.

We are happy to help you choose what type of fundraiser is best, and even help you set it up. However, we cannot provide legal advice, and strongly recommend speaking to a lawyer if you are unsure about the regulations in your area. 

For more raffle information, read What is a 50/50 Raffle? and How to Price Raffle Tickets. 

Run an Online Raffle Today

Does your organization check all the legal boxes for raffle laws?  Launch your raffle fundraiser now!

How Selling Prom Tickets Online Works

Creating a ticket sales page takes no time, and you can customize it so it matches your prom theme and school branding. Here’s the shape of it:
  1. Create the event. Name (Enchanted Forest Prom, 2026), date, venue, capacity, dress code, anything else students should know.
  2. Set ticket types and prices. Most committees do one student ticket plus one guest or date. Some add an early bird ticket tier at a $10 discount for the first two weeks.
  3. Grab a shareable link. Drop it in the school newsletter, add it to a QR code on your prom posters, then drop it into the school’s socials and the committee group chat so everyone can share within their networks, and the principal’s morning announcements.
  4. Collect the money. Card and digital wallet payments flow straight into your account, whether someone pays in person at school or at the door on prom night.
  5. Scan tickets at the door. Each student arrives with their printed prom tickets or a digital version. A volunteer scams them using their phone.

6 Things to Look For in a Prom Ticketing Service

Not every ticketing platform is set up for school events. Three things that matter:
  1. Real-Time Data: Student planners and faculty advisors need to monitor sales and revenue, and access updated attendee reports.
  2. Clear Fees: Every platform makes its money through fees. These fees can be passed on to buyers or absorbed by the school. In addition, when credit cards are involved, processing fees always apply but may not be included in your free ticketing platform’s service. When these are not included in the platform price, you’ll need to organize online payments separately, which can result in a much higher per-ticket cost on your end.
  3. Online and physical tickets: Printing prom tickets is something many schools do – they’re a great memento of the night, and make the experience more special. Make sure your platform’s capabilities include tracking and scanning both printed and digital tickets.
  4. Easy attendee check-in: Look for a platform that lets you scan without an app or special equipment. When faculty can scan tickets using their mobile phone‘s browser, getting up to speed takes less time.
  5. Attendee management: You’ll want to track students as they enter, leave, and return. Ensure your service can support this.
  6. Ticketing adaptability: Creating ticket bundles, reserved seating, and comp codes for VIPS means your chosen platform needs to be flexible.

What to Charge For Tickets To Prom and When to Sell

On average, a prom ticket costs between $55–$125. The exact number depends on the venue, what the night includes (DJ, photos, dinner, flowers, and the like).

Pre-prom ticket sales strategies

  • Early Bird discount. Knock $10–$15 off the standard price for the first 2–3 weeks of sales. An early bird ticket strategy rewards students who buy first, builds momentum, and gives your committee how the night is tracking weeks before prom.
  • Group bundles. Offer a small discount for friend groups buying 4 or 6 tickets together. Ticket bundling speeds up sales and they nudge friend groups to commit early.
  • Reserved tables. If you want groups to sit together, set up your ticketing with reserved seating and sell whole tables as a single package.
  • Day-of door pricing. Charge $10–$15 more at the door than online to  encourages families to pre-buy.

When to sell tickets

Open sales 6–8 weeks before prom, switch from early bird to standard pricing 2–3 weeks in, and close online sales 24–48 hours before the dance so you can finalize the catering count.

A note on the platform side: Eventgroove’s setup is free, and the service fee on paid tickets is small (2% + $0.75 per ticket). You can pass that fee on to ticket buyers, and for free events, there are no fees at all.

If you’re looking for an efficent and easy way to sell school dance tickets and manage your attendees, we’d love it if you gave Eventgroove a try. Our ticketing platform is free for organizers, with low ticket-buyer fees, no hidden charges, and no contracts. Plus, we’re also online printers, so you order custom prom tickets, VIP  badges, and flyers all in one place.

Want to see Eventgroove in action?

We’d love to show you! Schedule a one-on-one demo with our expert sales team.

Request a Demo

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