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The VGCCC regulates businesses focusing on the people, premises, products and promotions involved in supplying gambling to ensure the integrity of Victoria's gambling industries and to minimise harm.
 
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Raffle frequently asked questions (FAQs)

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GamblingRaffleLearn

Raffles can only be conducted to raise funds for organisations that have been declared as community or charitable organisations by us and may require a minor gaming permit. You can hold a raffle without a minor gaming permit if the prize value is $20,000 or less. If you’re conducting a raffle to raise funds on behalf of a charity (i.e. CFA or Cancer Council), you need their written permission before proceeding. 

The information on this page relates to both commercial and community and charitable gaming.

Requirements to run a raffle

 

$500 or less

$20,000 or less

Over $20,000

Is the number of tickets available for sale limited?

Yes, the total value of tickets available for sale must be not less than twice, and not more than six times the total value of the prizes.

Yes, the total value of tickets available for sale must be not less than twice and not more than six times the total value of the prizes.

Yes. It must not exceed the number authorised by the permit.

Are we required to have printed tickets?

No.

Yes.

Yes.

Do we need to collect ticket purchaser's details?

No.

Yes. Ticket sellers should obtain enough information to be able to identify the winners.

Yes. Ticket sellers should obtain enough information to be able to identify the winners.

How long can we sell tickets for?

One day, or within an eight-hour period.

Maximum of three months. 

A minor gaming permit will be required if the period exceeds three months. 

For the period authorised on the permit. A permit will not be issued for a period exceeding 12 months.

When does the draw have to occur?

On the same day as the ticket sales, or within an eight-hour period.

On the date printed on the tickets, which must not be more than 14 days after the date of the proposed last ticket sales.

On the day authorised by the permit.

We cannot locate the winner, what should we do?

If a winner does not come forward within a reasonable amount of time following the announcement of the winning number, a redraw must occur.

Contact the VGCCC by phone on 1300 599 759.

Contact the VGCCC by phone on 1300 599 759.

What records must we keep and for how long?

You must keep a record of the distribution of funds and prizes for three years.

You must keep a record of the distribution of funds, details of tickets printed, and prizes for three years.

You must keep a record of the following for three years:

- How tickets are sold
- How the sales were publicised​
- Names of entrants
- How many tickets were sold (to each person)
- How many tickets were returned (from each person)
- How much money was remitted
- When and how the raffle was drawn
- Names and addresses of winners
- Description (including retail value) of the prizes

Apply for a minor gaming permit

If you plan to hold a raffle with a prize value over $20,000 you need to apply for a minor gaming permit.

How a raffle is conducted

A raffle is a lottery where entrants purchase tickets for the chance to win prizes. The proceeds from it go to a charity, sporting or recreational body or a registered political party.
Any method can be used to draw winners, if it:

  • provides a random and equal chance of each ticket being drawn, and
  • the method does not allow the possibility of more than one entry being deemed the winner of the same prize.

A raffle prize must be delivered to the winner within 28 days of the raffle being drawn.

Hold a raffle on behalf of a community or charitable organisation

Any person who conducts a raffle on behalf of a community or charitable organisation must have written consent of the governing body of that organisation.

Commercial raffle requirements

A commercial raffle licence is required if the person:

  • isn’t an employee of a declared community or charitable organisation
  • conducts a raffle, in whole or part, on behalf of a community or charitable organisation
  • receives payment for their services.

The charitable organisation can contract with a Commercial Raffle Organiser to run the raffle on their behalf, however, even if they do this, the charitable organisation still requires a minor gaming permit.

For more information, see Application process and requirements - commercial raffle.

Political party raffle requirements

If you’re an affiliate or branch within an organisation and wish to carry out a raffle on behalf of a political party:

  • it must be conducted in the name of the declared political party.
  • you must have written authority from the political party to conduct the raffle.
  • if the political party is to receive any proceeds from the raffle, it must state on every ticket which organisation is receiving the proceeds.
Liquor as a raffle prize in a licensed venue

It depends on the liquor licence category and conditions. It’s legal for a venue already licensed to supply liquor for consumption off the premises to offer alcohol as a raffle prize, if other legal requirements are satisfied. For example, the raffle is for the benefit of a declared community or charitable organisation (e.g. sporting clubs and charities) and not for the profit of the licensed venue.

If the licensee isn’t licensed to supply liquor for consumption off the premises, it’ll be a breach of the licensee's liquor licence to offer alcohol as a raffle prize (as the alcohol will be consumed off the premises). If a licensee wishes to do so, they should obtain a temporary limited liquor licence to supply liquor for consumption off the premises.

Liquor which is a prize of a raffle cannot be supplied to minors.

Liquor as a raffle prize in an unlicensed venue

Yes, an unlicensed venue may offer a raffle with alcohol as a prize, provided the raffle is conducted in a way so each participant has a chance of winning a prize and one or more of those prizes are liquor. This is the common method of conducting a raffle.

However, where the raffle is conducted on the basis that each participant wins a prize, and each prize is liquor, then a temporary liquor licence is required. The unlicensed venue must also satisfy all the other legal requirements for conducting a raffle.

Liquor which is a prize of a raffle cannot be supplied to minors.

Cash as a raffle prize

Cash is not a legal raffle prize. However, if the raffle prize is travel associated, for example, accommodation or flights, a maximum of 10 per cent of the total value of the prize can be cash.

Debit cards as a raffle prize

No. Debit cards (regardless if they have a cash withdrawal option) aren’t permitted as prizes for raffles in Victoria.

Shop specific gift cards may be offered, provided they’re limited enough in scope (e.g. limited to a specific store or set of stores).

Reverse raffles

Reverse raffles are illegal in Victoria. A reverse raffle draw is where the last ticket drawn is declared the winner of the first prize. The Gambling Regulations 2015 state that the first raffle ticket drawn must win first prize.

Conditions for different prices on raffle tickets in the same raffle

The selling of raffle tickets at equal value or different values is legal in Victoria. Ticket prices must be printed on the tickets, except in "small raffles" as defined in the Gambling Regulations 2015.

Conditions on swapping raffle prizes for cash or alternative prizes

Cash cannot be offered as an alternative raffle prize.

Alternative prizes can be offered if it differs marginally from the original prize specifications and the winning recipient accepts the alternative prize. For example, a different colour car to the one advertised but same make and model.

Contact us for help completing your application