GET TIPS TO YOUR INBOX

Raffle Rules – Victoria

 

At Bolsta we pride ourselves on keeping up with the finer details for running raffles throughout Australia. Unfortunately, there are a different set of raffle rules and regulations for every state and territory, which makes it difficult to know exactly what’s required. The mighty raffle is a trusted powerhouse of fundraising, and it is really important to make sure you comply with rules and regulations.

If you live in Victoria and are wondering what the rules and regulations are for running a raffle, you are in the right place. Welcome to our guide on Victoria raffle rules and regulations, where you will learn how to run a raffle in Victoria. In this guide, we walk you through everything you need to know to make sure your raffle is legitimate.

 
Legislation for running a raffle in Victoria

In Victoria, the government body that oversees raffle compliance is the recently renamed Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), which was known previously as the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR). For the legal enthusiasts, there is one key piece of legislation that dictates charitable fundraising and running raffles in Victoria. You can check out the Victorian Gambling Regulations 2015, which are based on the Victorian Gambling Act of 2003. There was an amendment to this act in 2018, but none of the amendments are in relation to Community and Charitable Gaming.

 

Online Resources

Not keen to read the legislation and Victoria raffle rules, I don’t blame you. Thankfully, VGCCC has put together some guidelines so that you don’t have to read through hundreds of pages of riveting legal jargon. They have several resources that you can access online to assist you in getter the finer details:

1. You can use this FAQ

2. They also have an audio only version you can listen to with a transcript that can be accessed here

If you would like to find out more regarding minor gaming and raffles you can start with this web page

 
Victoria Raffle Regulations and Requirements

If accessing the legislation and online resources is not your cup of tea, read on. We have prepared a summary of the key points and raffle regulations you will need to take into consideration.

 

1. Am I allowed to run a raffle?

Raffles may only be run by organisations that are Declared Community or Charitable Organisations (DCCO). The definition of what constitutes being a DCCO is fairly broad. You must fall into one of the following categories:

· A philanthropic or benevolent purpose

· The purpose of a sporting or recreation club

· The purpose of a political party

Essentially, if your organisation is a not-for-profit entity, then you should have no problem becoming a DCCO. To check if your organisation is a DCCO, you can conduct a search here.

Your DCCO status lasts for ten years and requires another application after that time. If you need to apply or reapply, you can do that using this form. Applications take 28 days.

 

2.     Do I require a raffle permit?

In Victoria they refer to permits as ‘minor gaming permits’. You only require a minor gaming permit if the total value of prizes exceeds $20,000. You can use this link to access the application form for a Victorian raffle permit. You will need to apply at least 10 working days before you plan to sell tickets.

 

3. What sort of prizes can I offer when running a raffle in Victoria?

When running a raffle in Victoria, there are several restrictions placed on the prizes you can offer. There is no maximum value of raffle prizes that may be raffled off. Specific restrictions regarding what may be offered as raffle prizes include:

· Cash may not be offered as a prize. The only exclusion to this rule is offering cash as spending money for travel prizes and the spending money cannot exceed 10% of the value of the travel.

· Alcohol can only be supplied as a prize if done so at a venue that is licensed to supply liquor for consumption off the premises. Alcohol cannot be included in prizes that can be won by minors.

· The prize in a raffle cannot be a ticket in another raffle

Beyond these restrictions, it is probably not advisable to offer prizes that could raise concerns. Other states, such as NSW, ban offering firearms, tobacco products and cosmetic medical procedures.

 

4. Are there any raffle rules on ticket pricing and sales?

The total amount of ticket sales depends on the value of the prizes:

· For small and medium raffles where the value of prizes do not exceed $20,000 ticket sales must be between 2 and 6 times the value of the prizes. For example, if your prize is worth $100, then ticket sales must be between $200 and $600.

· For larger raffles where the total value of prizes exceeds $20,000, the minor gaming permit will determine the maximum value of ticket sales.

 

5. What are the rules for tickets and draws?

Victoria divide raffles into three categories, each with different requirements. You can find a summary for each type of raffle below or, click this link to read the details relating to all the terms and conditions for raffles on the VGCCC website.

 

a. Small raffles–total prize value is $500 or less

Understandably, the rules for running this type of raffle are nice and simple. Tickets must be sold on the same day or within 8 hours of the draw. You do not require printed tickets, i.e. you can use generic numbered tickets and you do not need to collect the purchasers details. When drawing the raffle, if no winner comes forward, then the prize must be redrawn. Prizes must be supplied to winners within 28 days and you are still required to keep financial records of the draw for 3 years.

b. Medium raffles–total prize value between $500 and $20,000

Whilst you do not require a minor gaming permit for this type of raffle, there are still several regulations that you will be required to meet. The raffle must be completed within 3 months and every ticket purchaser must provide sufficient contact details allowing them to be conducted should they win. This may include phone, email, or physical address. Tickets and advertising material must contain the following information:

· The name of the benefiting organisation

· The ticket price including details of any bundles or discounts offered

· A description of prizes and their values

· The date, time and location of the draw

· The method of publication of results

With regard to drawing the prizes, the first ticket drawn must win first prize and so forth if there are additional prizes.  All prizes must be delivered within 28 days of the draw. If a winner cannot be contacted by all reasonable means, then the prize must be retained for three months. After 12 months, if a winner has still not been located, the prize should be sold, redeemed or disposed of and the proceeds transferred to the Victorian Treasurer for payment to the Consolidated Fund. You will need to keep accurate financial records for 3 years detailing ticket sales, costs and the distribution of prizes.

c. Large Raffles–total prize value greater than $20,000

You will need a minor gaming permit to conduct this raffle, which will detail the maximum number of tickets that will be sold as well as the duration of the raffle. Your raffle cannot run for longer than 12 months. Tickets and advertising material must contain the following information:

· The name of the benefiting organisation

· The minor gaming permit number and name of the permit holder

· The maximum number of tickets that can be sold as detailed in your permit

· The ticket price including details of any bundles or discounts offered

· A description of prizes and their values

· The date, time and location of the draw

· The method of publication of results

Like medium raffles, the first ticket drawn must win first prize and so forth if there are additional prizes. All prizes must be delivered within 28 days of the draw. If a winner cannot be contacted by all reasonable means, then the prize must be retained for three months. After 12 months, if a winner has still not been located, the prize should be sold, redeemed or disposed of and the proceeds transferred to the Victorian Treasurer for payment to the Consolidated Fund.

You will need to keep accurate records for 3 years detailing the following:

· The manner in which tickets were sold and how tickets were publicised

· The names of the people to whom tickets were issued for sale and, for each person, how many tickets were sold, how many tickets were returned and how much money was remitted

· When and how the raffle was drawn

· The names and addresses of the winners and a description of their respective prizes

6. Are there advertising restrictions around raffles?

Victoria does not specifically stipulate restrictions regarding marketing material, but based on other states, here are some guidelines regarding what not to do when advertising or promoting your raffle:

· Do not depict children participating in the gaming activity

· Do not suggest that winning the raffle will be a definite outcome of participating in the gaming activity

· Do not suggest that participating in the gaming activity will definitely improve a person’s financial prospects

· Do not encourage a breach of the law

 

7. When running my raffle, do I need to have a set of Terms & Conditions?

Whilst the need for a set of terms and conditions is not explicitly specified in the regulations, normally the bigger the raffle, the more you will want to detail how the raffle will work.

Common items that are detailed in the terms and conditions include:

· Who may participate – age or location restrictions

· How the draw will take place

· How winners will be notified

· How unclaimed prizes will be handled

· Privacy policy relating to personal data collected during the raffle

There are other clauses that you may want to add. If you are running a large raffle, the expense of a lawyer to write terms and conditions for you is worth consideration.

 

8. Who can buy and sell raffle tickets?

The rules in Victoria are fairly relaxed on this topic but lay out some obvious rules. Anyone that is involved with the management of the raffle or that is part of the management team in the benefiting organisation are not allowed to buy tickets. Children may sell and buy tickets, unless the rules of the raffle forbid participation by children.

 

Also…

Our disclaimer. The information in this article is current at the time of writing. It is intended as a summary and should not be considered comprehensive. We endeavor to keep the content up to date but can’t guarantee that the powers that be have not changed the rules in the meantime. Please check with the VGCCC if you have any queries regarding your raffle, especially if your raffle is classed as a large raffle. We wish you the best of success in your fundraising efforts.

 

Some additional resources for you

· Learn more about the most common raffle mistakes

· Learn more about the types of raffle prizes that work best

· Learn more about on how to get prizes donated easily

· Download a handy donation request template to help you get donated raffle prizes

· Learn more about different options for raffle ticket pricing

· For more information on terms and conditions, take a look at this article from a legal firm.

Bolsta Raffles

LIVE NOW

  • $23000 in prizes 
  • Share & sell tickets straight from the app
  • Retain 50% of all sales
  • Fundraising has never been easier
Raffle App
© Bolsta 2024 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Website by Handmade Web & Design