Q: I run a local community pub, and we are looking at holding a Christmas fair event with lots of activities in order to raise funds for a local children’s charity. I would like to provide a raffle; can I do this and are there any rules I need to think about?
A: Raffles can be used to raise charitable funds if they are held as an incidental part of a larger event, whether or not the event itself is commercial or not. Raffles can be held at events such as fetes and fairs but cannot be the main reason for holding the event itself.
You are permitted to sell tickets to anyone in attendance at the event, but there are some specific rules that you must comply with:
- You must ensure you provide a physical ticket to anyone taking part in the raffle. There are no specific requirements about what must be included on the ticket, you simply need to be able to identify the winning ticket.
- The tickets must only be sold at the actual event, while the event is taking place. You are not permitted to sell tickets in advance of the event, and you cannot sell the tickets online or via social media.
- You can take up to a maximum of £500 from proceeds to pay for prizes. Prizes can also be donated and there isn’t a limit on how much donated prizes can cost.
- You may not deduct more than £100 from the proceeds to cover expenses, such as the costs of tickets
- There can be no rollover of prizes from one event to another.
- You can draw the winning ticket during or after the event. It is a good idea to make it clear to participants how and when you will be announcing the result of the draw.
Imogen Moss is an associate solicitor at Poppleston Allen
