Raffles and Sweepstakes

Staff guidance for running a raffle.

Raffles and sweepstakes are a great way to raise money, especially over Christmas and New Year, because they are fun and easy to organise. There are a few things to be aware of if organising these activities to ensure you follow the correct guidance. Raffles and sweepstakes are considered as gambling and regulated by the Gambling Commission. Your raffle or sweepstake might need a licence, but this depends on how you organise it. You do not need a raffle licence if:

Your raffle/sweepstake takes place at work, where the only people purchasing tickets are staff in the building. This kind of raffle is known as a workplace raffle. You should not sell raffle tickets to people outside your place of work, to patients or other visitors unless you have a licence.
Your raffle is part of an event, where the draw will take place at the event, e.g. at a Christmas party. You can sell tickets to anyone in attendance and conduct the draw at the end of the party.

Find out more about how to run a raffle and which ones do and do not require a licence.

You will need a licence if:

You plan to sell raffle tickets on more than one day, outside an event or work and plan to sell tickets to anyone other than staff e.g. patients, visitors, family or friends.
Tickets will also need to be printed with numbers and include the details of prizes and the promoter’s details. If you would like to apply for a raffle licence, get in touch with our fundraising team, who will be happy to help.

Find out more about raffle licences.

You can also organise a prize draw without a licence, you will need to have the following in place:

You have two ways to enter the draw – paid and unpaid.
People can choose to take part without paying.
The free entry route can be no more expensive and must be no less convenient than the paid route. 
The free entry route must also be available at the normal rate. For example, you cannot use special delivery in the free route and First Class in the paid route.
The free entry route must be promoted and displayed at the same level as the paid for routes.
The choice between the free entry route and the paid entry route must be promoted so that people who want to participate can see it.
The system that determines prizes should not recognise the two routes as different.

Find out about how to organise a prize draw.

If you would like further guidance on setting up a prize draw please don’t hesitate to contact our fundraising team, who will be happy to support you.