RafflesRaffles

Making Money With RafflesMaking Money With Raffles

What You Need To Consider

What You Need To Consider

Most raffles are considered gambling and are governed by fairly precise state and provincial laws

Find out the laws in your state or province before you start your raffle

Most raffles are considered gambling and are governed by fairly precise state and provincial laws

Find out the laws in your state or province before you start your raffle

Items regulated may include

Value of PrizeNumbered ticketsPrize disclosure and details explained

Length of contestBookkeeping requirementsLength of time you must keep recordsWho you can sell tickets toWhether you need a gambling license or permit

Items regulated may include

Value of PrizeNumbered ticketsPrize disclosure and details explained

Length of contestBookkeeping requirementsLength of time you must keep recordsWho you can sell tickets toWhether you need a gambling license or permit

Decision(s) To Make On Your Raffle

Decision(s) To Make On Your Raffle

How long will it run?

One day, one Month, one year Until so many tickets are sold At the end of an event Number of prizes One grand prize First, Second, Third and so on Value of prizes

How long will it run?

One day, one Month, one year Until so many tickets are sold At the end of an event Number of prizes One grand prize First, Second, Third and so on Value of prizes

How many tickets will you print Unlimited VS A limited set number

How will tickets be purchased?On line, at an event, by mail

How much do you want to make?What will you print on your tickets Number, prize detail, where to mail tickets

What will be the value of each ticket

Where will you purchase merchandise Retail, Wholesale, Donations, discounts

How many tickets will you print Unlimited VS A limited set number

How will tickets be purchased?On line, at an event, by mail

How much do you want to make?What will you print on your tickets Number, prize detail, where to mail tickets

What will be the value of each ticket

Where will you purchase merchandise Retail, Wholesale, Donations, discounts

Will You Have a “Sponsor”?

Will You Have a “Sponsor”?

What will they pay for? What will they want in return? Most likely advertising Newsletter, flyers, website

What will they pay for? What will they want in return? Most likely advertising Newsletter, flyers, website

Companies that may donate gift cards and merchandise in exchange for advertising

You will need to keep your advertising commitments and follow up with a thank you letter

Companies that may donate gift cards and merchandise in exchange for advertising

You will need to keep your advertising commitments and follow up with a thank you letter

SponsorsSponsors

Who Will Keep Track of Tickets Sold?

Who Will Keep Track of Tickets Sold?

Should have centralized record keepingVery important in long duration raffles, large number of raffle tickets, and multiple raffle ticket sale sources.

Should have centralized record keepingVery important in long duration raffles, large number of raffle tickets, and multiple raffle ticket sale sources.

Choosing The PrizesChoosing The PrizesItems that appeal to a broad range of people will attract more entries.

People like big prizes worth large dollar amounts (that’s why raffles are gambling)

People also like multiple chances to win

People often equate value of an item as important as the item itself

Your prizes need to be quality items, not something a merchant could not sell

Items that appeal to a broad range of people will attract more entries.

People like big prizes worth large dollar amounts (that’s why raffles are gambling)

People also like multiple chances to win

People often equate value of an item as important as the item itself

Your prizes need to be quality items, not something a merchant could not sell

Where Do You Get Prizes?

Where Do You Get Prizes?

DonationsWholesale itemsSpecial purchase programs for non Profits

Examples in hunting merchandiseBows, Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtec, PSEMerchandise, Primos, Brunton,

Steiner,Montana Decoy and many more.

Gift Certificates

DonationsWholesale itemsSpecial purchase programs for non Profits

Examples in hunting merchandiseBows, Mathews, Hoyt, Bowtec, PSEMerchandise, Primos, Brunton,

Steiner,Montana Decoy and many more.

Gift Certificates

Case Study 1Case Study 1

Bow Raffle for 2 Sportsman showsBow Mathews Outback

Overhead Cost $350.00 (Value 700.00) Printing of 300 Raffle tickets (50.00)

Tickets sold 300 X 5.00 per ticket= $1,500

Profit $1,100.00

Bow Raffle for 2 Sportsman showsBow Mathews Outback

Overhead Cost $350.00 (Value 700.00) Printing of 300 Raffle tickets (50.00)

Tickets sold 300 X 5.00 per ticket= $1,500

Profit $1,100.00

MarketingLarge sign in booth with lettering that can be read by person walking by the booth

Bow hanging on post in front of booth so ticket buyers can handle it.

Passing out flyers at other booths advertising the bow raffle

MarketingLarge sign in booth with lettering that can be read by person walking by the booth

Bow hanging on post in front of booth so ticket buyers can handle it.

Passing out flyers at other booths advertising the bow raffle

Post RaffleTake picture of winner and put in newsletter

Keep all raffle tickets for 3 years

Thank Mathews for the discount bow and send copy of newsletter story about winner and Mathews bow.

Post RaffleTake picture of winner and put in newsletter

Keep all raffle tickets for 3 years

Thank Mathews for the discount bow and send copy of newsletter story about winner and Mathews bow.

Case Study 2Case Study 2Alberta Bowhunters Association 3rd Annual Spring Fever Raffle

Drawing to be held at the ABA banquetOverhead

Cost of prizes and tickets Apx. 1,750.00 ( Retail value of 5 prizes $7,000)

Sponsor paid for grand prize (3,700) Other items were donated or purchased at discount

Alberta Bowhunters Association 3rd Annual Spring Fever Raffle

Drawing to be held at the ABA banquetOverhead

Cost of prizes and tickets Apx. 1,750.00 ( Retail value of 5 prizes $7,000)

Sponsor paid for grand prize (3,700) Other items were donated or purchased at discount

Cost of raffle tickets $5.00 X 2,000 (limit) = 10,000

Expected profit $8,350.00Duration of contest - 5 monthsMarketing

Emails, Information poster, Banquet event, open to non members, mail outs

Cost of raffle tickets $5.00 X 2,000 (limit) = 10,000

Expected profit $8,350.00Duration of contest - 5 monthsMarketing

Emails, Information poster, Banquet event, open to non members, mail outs

Case Study 3

Coin Raffle

Case Study 3

Coin Raffle Often used at banquetsSame day drawingUsually for one itemPrize should be coveted by most people at event

Often used at banquetsSame day drawingUsually for one itemPrize should be coveted by most people at event

PrizePrize

Steiner binoculars (Retail $900.00)

Overhead Cost of binoculars $500.00 Cost of logo wood discs 25.00

Coin value $15.00 X 100 = $1,500

Expected profit 975.00

Steiner binoculars (Retail $900.00)

Overhead Cost of binoculars $500.00 Cost of logo wood discs 25.00

Coin value $15.00 X 100 = $1,500

Expected profit 975.00

PitfallsPitfallsNot enough marketingNot enough value or quality in prizePrizes not desired by many people Eg. A low end off brand bowViolations in state or provincial gambling laws

Bad bookkeeping Not thanking donor or doing promised Advertising (loss of a future donor)

Not enough marketingNot enough value or quality in prizePrizes not desired by many people Eg. A low end off brand bowViolations in state or provincial gambling laws

Bad bookkeeping Not thanking donor or doing promised Advertising (loss of a future donor)

PrecautionsPrecautions

Get a written agreement for any merchandise you do not have in handIncludes hunts, promised items and services

Have a substitution clause in case prize is not available

Especially in long running raffles

Get a written agreement for any merchandise you do not have in handIncludes hunts, promised items and services

Have a substitution clause in case prize is not available

Especially in long running raffles

Be as detailed as possible in describing exactly what the person will winThis is especially true when you are raffling hunts and services

Good idea to limit time period for raffleInsures that prizes will still be available

Match your raffle to the size of your group

Be as detailed as possible in describing exactly what the person will winThis is especially true when you are raffling hunts and services

Good idea to limit time period for raffleInsures that prizes will still be available

Match your raffle to the size of your group

Raffles can be your main fund raiser or they can supplement existing fundraisers.

Raffles can be your main fund raiser or they can supplement existing fundraisers.