South Australian Raffle Rules

Raffles are a time honoured and popular way to raise funds for your favourite cause. The regulations can be a bit of a minefield and vary so much State-to-State. No wonder you are wondering what the South Australian raffle rules are!

A raffle could be loosely defined as any game of chance where there is a limited number of tickets sold, and where each ticket has the same chance of winning as every other ticket sold. But as you know, there are a million and one ways to go about a raffle. From parking a wheelbarrow full of goodies outside the local shops to raffling off fancy houses on the Gold Coast, to a good old Friday night chook raffle or meat tray draw at the pub (yes, chook raffles are still alive and well).

In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that the only limits on running a raffle are the number of helpers you can rope in, and your imagination. But you would be wrong.

Raffles are classified by all Australian States and Territories as ‘gaming’ and, alongside casinos and licensed clubs, raffles are subject to regulation designed to protect the consumer, and the people conducting the gaming. The maze of legislation and regulation which surrounds raffles can be very daunting to the small community-based fundraiser (or, for that matter, us!), and I would not be surprised if some raffles had been abandoned in the face of it.

As the best way to avoid accidentally breaking gaming laws is to be informed, we thought it would be useful to assemble a quick-reference guide to raffle regulations in South Australia.

A note of caution: this article is intended only as a general guide. Whilst the information provided is correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication, we strongly advise anyone who is planning to conduct a raffle to seek the advice of the regulating authority below.

Regulat-ing Agency: Consumer and Business Services

Key Features of Raffle Guidelines for South Australia:

Organisations do not need a license to conduct a Minor Lottery (i.e. one where the total prize pool value is $5,000 or less and tickets are to be sold before the day on which the lottery is drawn). A license is required for a Major Lottery (i.e. one where the prize pool value exceeds $5,000).
Small lotteries are where the prize will be drawn on the same day as tickets are sold and printed tickets are not required, ie store-bought raffle tickets are acceptable.
A child under the age of 15 years is not permitted to sell tickets in a minor or major lottery unless accompanied by an adult.
Lottery proceeds may only be used for the purposes described in the SA gaming regulations. Most fundraising activity will fall into these categories.
What you’ll need to apply for a major lottery licence:
- a copy of proposed ticket and book cover design
- the terms and conditions of entry and participation
- copies of any contracts you have with a commission or fundraising agent
- details about whether the association will have the prizes before ticket sales start
- the value of prizes such as collector’s items or major second-hand articles
- Associations that are applying for any licence for the first time also need to include:
- a copy of the association’s constitution
- names and addresses of management committee members
- the number of financial members.
The fee for lodging a major lottery licence application is $8.30 and must be lodged at least 14 days prior to the start of the lottery. Here is the form you will need.
All tickets must be sold at the same price – other than any bonus or free tickets – and have an equal chance of winning.
All minor and major lottery (raffle) tickets must include:
- lottery licence number (if for a major lottery)
- ticket number
- price and the total number of tickets
- name of the association running the lottery
- association benefiting from the funds raised
- prizes and their value
- number of bonus or free tickets
- terms and conditions of entry, for example – people less than 18 years unable to enter
- date, time, day and venue of the lottery draw
- newspaper and date for publishing the results
- The ticket butt must show:
  - lottery licence number – major lottery only
  - same ticket number as shown on ticket buyer’s section
  - name, address and phone number of the ticket buyer
  - name of the association benefitting from funds raised
  - date the lottery will be drawn.