State-by-State Raffle Laws for 501(c)(3) Organizations (2025)

States Where Raffles Are PROHIBITED

• Alabama: Raffles considered illegal lotteries - no exceptions for nonprofits
• Hawaii: Raffles prohibited unless participation is completely free with voluntary donations
• Utah: All raffles considered gambling and prohibited

States Allowing Raffles with Specific Requirements

ALABAMA ❌

• Status: Prohibited
• 50/50 Raffles: Not applicable
• Online Sales: Not applicable

ALASKA ✅

• Requirements: Must be established 3+ years with 25+ members
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed with proper licensing
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $20

ARIZONA ✅

• Requirements: Register with Attorney General, operate in AZ 1+ year
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (on organization's website only)
• Cost: $0

ARKANSAS ✅

• Requirements: Tax-exempt, operating 5+ years
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed with permit
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $25 (single) / $100 (annual)

CALIFORNIA ✅

• Requirements: Operating in CA 1+ year (501c3 not required)
• 50/50 Raffles: LIMITED - Only for major league sports affiliates
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $30
• Special Note: 90% of proceeds must support charitable purposes

COLORADO ✅

• Requirements: Operating 5+ years, bingo-raffle license required
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $100

CONNECTICUT ✅

• Requirements: Operating 1+ year, local municipality approval
• 50/50 Raffles: PROHIBITED - No cash prizes allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $15-$300

DELAWARE ✅

• Requirements: 501(c) IRS certification
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed (permit required if tickets >$5 or prizes >$5,000)
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $15

FLORIDA ✅

• Requirements: 501(c)(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), or (19) status
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with restrictions)
• Cost: $0
• Special Note: No license required but must register with FDACS for donations

GEORGIA ✅

• Requirements: County Sheriff's Office permit required
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $100

HAWAII ❌

• Status: Prohibited unless free participation
• 50/50 Raffles: Only if no payment required
• Online Sales: Yes (but must be free)
• Cost: $0

IDAHO ✅

• Requirements: Existed 1+ year in county, IRS tax-exempt status
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $100 (first year), $100-$300 (subsequent)

ILLINOIS ✅

• Requirements: Local county/municipal approval required
• 50/50 Raffles: Depends on local regulations
• Online Sales: Varies by locality
• Cost: Starting at $25

INDIANA ✅

• Requirements: 501(c) tax-exempt status
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No (no credit cards)
• Cost: $50

IOWA ✅

• Requirements: License from Department of Inspections & Appeals
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with 2-year license)
• Cost: $15-$150

KANSAS ✅

• Requirements: 501(c) tax-exempt status
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $25-$100

KENTUCKY ✅

• Requirements: Department of Charitable Gaming license
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $25

LOUISIANA ✅

• Requirements: Office of Charitable Gaming license
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $75

MAINE ✅

• Requirements: No registration needed if prizes <$10,000
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $15-$700

MARYLAND ✅

• Requirements: County-governed (contact local county)
• 50/50 Raffles: Varies by county
• Online Sales: Varies by county
• Cost: $10-$56 per raffle

MASSACHUSETTS ✅

• Requirements: Active in MA 2+ years, local permit required
• 50/50 Raffles: PROHIBITED - Cash prizes may violate pooling prohibition
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: Determined by local authorities

MICHIGAN ✅

• Requirements: Charitable Gaming Division qualification
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $15-$50

MINNESOTA ✅

• Requirements: No permit if prizes <$1,500 (501c3s can go up to $5,000)
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $100-$150

MISSISSIPPI ✅

• Requirements: Contact Gaming Commission (laws based on bingo)
• 50/50 Raffles: Likely allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $0

MISSOURI ✅

• Requirements: Federal charitable/religious recognition
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $0

MONTANA ✅

• Requirements: No license required, state registration for online sales
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with Form 46 approval)
• Cost: $0

NEBRASKA ✅

• Requirements: License needed if cash >$1,000 or merchandise >$5,000
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $30

NEVADA ✅

• Requirements: Gaming Control Board approval
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with approval)
• Cost: $0 (<$100k prizes) / $25 (>$100k)

NEW HAMPSHIRE ✅

• Requirements: Registered with Secretary of State 2+ years
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $25 per game date (max 10/year)

NEW JERSEY ✅

• Requirements: Municipal license + LGCCC registration
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $100 (ID number) + $20-$400 (municipal)

NEW MEXICO ✅

• Requirements: Gaming Control Board notification if prizes >$75,000
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: Unclear

NEW YORK ✅

• Requirements: No license if <$5,000 per raffle or <$30,000 annually
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with application)
• Cost: $25

NORTH CAROLINA ✅

• Requirements: Federal charitable/religious recognition
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: Unclear

NORTH DAKOTA ✅

• Requirements: Local permits; state license if >$8,000 per item or >$40,000 annually
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $175 per license

OHIO ✅

• Requirements: 501(c)(3) status
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $0

OKLAHOMA ✅

• Requirements: No license or reporting required
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $0

OREGON ✅

• Requirements: Federal tax-exempt status; license if >$10,000 annually
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $40-$100

PENNSYLVANIA ✅

• Requirements: Active 1+ year for games of chance license
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (as of May 2023)
• Cost: $25 (monthly) / $125 (annual)

RHODE ISLAND ✅

• Requirements: Application to local Chief of Police
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (if platform licensed)
• Cost: $5 per application

SOUTH CAROLINA ✅

• Requirements: Annual registration with Division of Public Charities
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed (no registration if proceeds <$950)
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $50

SOUTH DAKOTA ✅

• Requirements: County/city registration 30 days before; state notice if statewide
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $50

TENNESSEE ✅

• Requirements: 501(c)(3) or (19) + Division approval + General Assembly approval
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $150-$600

TEXAS ✅

• Requirements: No registration or license required for qualified nonprofits
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Unclear
• Cost: $0

UTAH ❌

• Status: Prohibited - all raffles considered gambling
• 50/50 Raffles: Not applicable
• Online Sales: Not applicable

VERMONT ✅

• Requirements: Charitable activities 1+ year, no license required
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $0

VIRGINIA ✅

• Requirements: Existence and regular meetings 3+ years
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with approval)
• Cost: $200

WASHINGTON ✅

• Requirements: No license for 2 raffles annually <$5,000 gross
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes (with approval)
• Cost: $70

WEST VIRGINIA ✅

• Requirements: Active in WV 1+ year; no license if <$15,000 annually
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Yes
• Cost: $0

WISCONSIN ✅

• Requirements: Local religious/charitable/service organization, existed 1+ year
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: No
• Cost: $5-$25

WYOMING ✅

• Requirements: No state licensure required
• 50/50 Raffles: Allowed
• Online Sales: Unclear
• Cost: $0

Key Takeaways:

States Prohibiting 50/50 Raffles:

• Connecticut (no cash prizes)
• Massachusetts (pooling concerns)

States with Special 50/50 Restrictions:

• California (only for major league sports affiliates)

Most Raffle-Friendly States:

• Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio (no licensing required)
• Montana, Wyoming, Vermont (minimal requirements)

Important Notes:

• Laws change frequently - always verify current requirements
• Local municipalities may have additional restrictions
• Some states allow online sales while others prohibit them
• Costs vary widely from free to several hundred dollars

Last updated: August 2025. Always consult current state regulations and legal counsel before conducting any raffle.

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