Raffles are one of the best fundraising events for teenagers — but there are rules you need to follow. Here is everything you need to know to run one properly.
A raffle is one of the most reliable fundraising activities available to a teenager. It is easy to organise, requires very little upfront cost, and can raise hundreds of pounds in a single afternoon. But in the UK, raffles are technically a form of lottery — which means there are legal rules you need to follow.
The good news is that for most teenage fundraisers, the rules are simple and easy to comply with. This lesson explains exactly which type of raffle you need and how to run it properly.
UK law recognises three types of small raffle that do not require a licence. Understanding which one applies to you is the most important part of this lesson.
This is the simplest type. You can run this at any event you are organising — a bake sale, a school fair, a sponsored walk. The raffle must take place at the event itself (tickets sold and drawn on the same day). You cannot sell tickets in advance or online. There is no limit on ticket price or prize value. No licence needed.
If you are running the raffle through a Scout group, school club, or similar organisation, this type may apply. Tickets can only be sold to members of the society. No licence needed, but the society must be properly constituted (i.e., it must be a real club or group, not just a group of friends).
This allows you to sell tickets to the general public (not just at an event). You can sell tickets in advance and online. However, total proceeds must be under £20,000 per lottery, and you must register with your local council. This is worth doing if you want to run a larger raffle over several weeks.
If you are running a raffle at a bake sale, school fair, or fundraising event, the Incidental Non-Commercial Lottery is all you need. Sell tickets at the event, draw the winner at the event, and you are fully compliant with no paperwork required.
Regardless of which type of raffle you run, there are some things that are never allowed:
Ticket pricing depends on the quality of your prizes. Here is a rough guide:
You can also sell strips of tickets (e.g., 5 for £4) to encourage people to buy more than one. This is a very effective way to increase your average sale per person.
The best raffle prizes are donated by local businesses. Here is how to get them:
A raffle with a £5 prize will raise very little. A raffle with a weekend break, a spa day, or a signed sports item as the headline prize will sell out. Invest time in getting a great top prize — it makes everything else easier.
Keep it simple and transparent. Use a drum, a hat, or a bag to mix the tickets. Ask someone independent (not you) to draw the winning ticket. Announce the winner publicly and make sure they are present or can be contacted. If the winner is not present, keep their ticket and contact them within 24 hours.
Download our free Raffle Ticket Template from the Toolkit — ready to print and customise with your own details.
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