Queensland Raffle Laws: What You Need To Know

In Queensland, you usually don't need a permit to run a small or medium sized charitable raffle if the gross proceeds are $50,000 or less. You do need a Category 3 gaming licence from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation if gross proceeds are more than $50,000, and raffles generally need to be run by or for an eligible not for profit organisation.

That simple answer is only the starting point. The rules change depending on who is running the draw, whether people pay for tickets, what prizes you offer, where tickets are sold, and whether the raffle is actually a business promotion in disguise.

Do I Need A Permit To Run A Raffle In Queensland?

If you're asking about a school, club, charity, sporting group, religious organisation or other eligible not for profit, the key Queensland threshold is gross proceeds. Gross proceeds means the total ticket sales you expect to receive before deducting prizes, platform fees, printing, advertising or other costs.

• $2,000 or less in gross proceeds: This will usually be a Category 1 game. A licence isn't required, but you still need to run the raffle fairly and keep basic records.
• More than $2,000 and up to $50,000 in gross proceeds: This will usually be a Category 2 game. A licence isn't required, but stricter rules apply to tickets, records, advertising and the draw.
• More than $50,000 in gross proceeds: This will usually be a Category 3 game. You need a licence from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation before selling tickets.

Queensland uses the word licence more often than permit for large charitable gaming activities, but many people use the words interchangeably.

The practical point is this: if your raffle might raise more than $50,000 in ticket sales, don't launch sales or public advertising until you have checked the current OLGR requirements and obtained any required licence.

For smaller raffles, no licence doesn't mean no rules. You still need a genuine fundraising purpose, clear ticket information, accurate prize descriptions, a fair draw process and proper handling of personal information and proceeds.

What Counts As A Raffle In Queensland?

A raffle is a game of chance where people pay for tickets or entries for the chance to win a prize. In Queensland, raffles are commonly treated as art unions under charitable and not for profit gaming laws and are regulated by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

The main features are simple:

• people pay money for a ticket or entry
• the winner is chosen by chance, not skill
• a prize is awarded
• the activity is run for an eligible fundraising purpose

That means most true raffles aren't a general commercial marketing tool. They're usually fundraising activities for eligible not for profit associations, such as community groups, charities, schools, sporting clubs and similar organisations.

If you're selling tickets to the public and the winner is randomly drawn, you're likely in raffle territory. If your business is giving customers a free chance to win after buying a product or taking another promotional step, you're more likely dealing with a trade promotion.

If you want a Queensland-specific primer you can refer back to as you plan, our dedicated overview of raffle laws in Queensland outlines the practical steps and obligations at each stage.

Are Raffles Illegal In Queensland?

Raffles aren't illegal in Queensland when they're run under the charitable and not for profit gaming rules. Selling raffle tickets can become unlawful if the wrong person runs the raffle, the required licence is missing, the prize is prohibited, tickets are misleading, or the draw isn't conducted as promised.

For a small business, the most important distinction is that a for profit business generally can't run a paid raffle for its own benefit. For example, a cafe can't sell $5 tickets to customers for a random chance to win a hamper if the proceeds are kept by the cafe. That isn't the same as a charity raffle.

A business may be able to help an eligible not for profit run or promote a raffle, but the fundraising purpose must be genuine and the proceeds need to benefit the eligible organisation. If your business is taking commissions, handling proceeds, using a platform, or promoting the draw to your customer list, document the arrangement clearly so everyone knows who is responsible for compliance, payment handling, privacy and prize delivery.

Are Gun Raffles Legal In Queensland?

As a practical rule, don't offer firearms, ammunition or weapons as raffle prizes in Queensland. These are generally treated as prohibited or heavily restricted prize categories, and weapon licensing laws create additional issues even where an item could otherwise be lawfully possessed.

If your organisation is considering any restricted or unusual prize, check the current OLGR prize rules before advertising. The same caution applies to alcohol, tobacco products, medical or cosmetic procedures, animals, travel with complex conditions, and anything that has age restrictions or separate licensing requirements.

Raffle Or Trade Promotion: Which One Can You Run?

This is one of the most common questions for businesses. If people pay for a ticket and a winner is chosen by chance, you're usually dealing with a raffle. If entry is free and the activity promotes your goods or services, you may be dealing with a trade promotion.

A trade promotion is often the better fit for a business. For example, you might offer customers a free entry into a prize draw when they buy a coffee, book a consultation or sign up to your mailing list. The customer can pay for your ordinary goods or services, but they shouldn't pay an extra amount just to enter the draw.

Queensland doesn't generally require a permit for a standard free to enter trade promotion, but the promotion still needs to be fair, transparent and consistent with the Australian Consumer Law. If you promote the competition nationally, check rules in other states and territories as well, especially if the prize pool is large or entries are open outside Queensland.

For promotions, it's smart to set out clear, tailored Competition Terms & Conditions covering eligibility, entry mechanics, prize details, draw procedures and winner notifications. For a quick sense check on what is expected, it's worth framing your plans against Australia general giveaway laws as well.

Queensland Raffle Categories And Gross Proceeds

Queensland charitable and not for profit gaming laws group raffles into categories. Your category affects whether you need a licence and how much detail is required for tickets, records and reporting.

• Category 1: Usually small raffles with gross proceeds of $2,000 or less. These are low risk fundraising activities, but they still need to be conducted honestly and transparently.
• Category 2: Usually raffles with gross proceeds of more than $2,000 and up to $50,000. No licence is usually required, but the conduct rules are more detailed.
• Category 3: Usually raffles with gross proceeds of more than $50,000. A licence is required, and additional obligations apply before, during and after the draw.

These thresholds are based on gross proceeds, not profit. This point catches people out. A raffle with $60,000 in ticket sales can be a Category 3 game even if the prize costs $40,000 and the fundraiser expects to keep far less than $50,000 after expenses.

A Worked Example With Real Numbers

Imagine a Queensland P&C association wants to raise money for playground equipment. It plans to sell 3,000 tickets at $10 each. The first prize is a holiday package worth $4,000, the second prize is a bike worth $800, and the third prize is a local gift hamper worth $200.

• Ticket price: $10
• Number of tickets: 3,000
• Expected gross proceeds: $30,000
• Total prize value: $5,000

The expected gross proceeds are $30,000, so the raffle will usually sit in Category 2. The P&C will usually not need a Category 3 licence because gross proceeds aren't more than $50,000. However, it still needs clear raffle rules, compliant tickets, accurate advertising, a reliable sales ledger, a fair random draw and records showing how funds were handled.

If the P&C instead sells 6,000 tickets at $10 each, expected gross proceeds become $60,000. That moves the raffle into Category 3 territory, even though the prizes are still worth $5,000.

Rules For Selling Raffle Tickets In Queensland

Ticket sales are where many raffle problems start. Your tickets, website, flyers and social posts should all match each other. If the draw date, prize value or eligibility rules change halfway through, update every channel and keep a record of the change.

What To Put On Raffle Tickets

For most Queensland raffles, tickets should include enough information for a buyer to understand who is running the raffle, what they could win and how the draw works. Depending on the category and format, that will usually include:

• the eligible organisation name
• the fundraising purpose
• the ticket price
• a unique ticket number or entry identifier
• the closing date for ticket sales
• the draw date, time and place or method
• clear prize descriptions and values
• how winners will be notified or results published
• the licence number, if the raffle is licensed

If you sell ticket bundles, such as $5 each or 3 for $10, make sure the pricing is clear before the buyer pays. If tickets are capped, don't sell beyond the advertised limit. If prizes are subject to conditions, include those conditions in the rules and make them easy to find before purchase.

Advertising And Australian Consumer Law

Raffle advertising must be accurate. Your obligations under the Australian Consumer Law include avoiding misleading or deceptive conduct, so your ads shouldn't overstate the chance of winning, inflate prize values, hide material conditions or suggest a fundraising outcome that isn't realistic.

Use genuine retail values and avoid vague phrases like total prize pool up to $20,000 unless the prizes really support that claim. If a sponsor donates a prize, check whether the advertised value is current and whether any exclusions apply.

Prize Delivery And Records

Run the draw exactly as your rules say you will. Keep a record of the winning ticket numbers, the method used to choose winners, the person who supervised the draw, winner notifications and proof of prize delivery or collection.

Category 2 and Category 3 raffles have more detailed record keeping obligations than very small raffles. OLGR can update administrative requirements, so confirm the current record period and reporting requirements for your category, especially for licensed raffles.

Are Online Raffles Illegal?

Online raffles aren't automatically illegal in Queensland. An eligible organisation can often sell or issue tickets electronically if the raffle otherwise complies with Queensland rules and each entry can be uniquely identified, reconciled and included in the draw.

The online format does add a few practical compliance issues:

• Ticket information: Digital tickets or confirmation emails should include the same essential details as paper tickets.
• Payment records: Use a reliable payment system and keep an audit trail for sales, failed payments, refunds, voided tickets and transaction fees.
• Interstate sales: If people outside Queensland can buy tickets, other state or territory lottery rules may apply. Geoblocking or clear eligibility limits can help keep the raffle within your intended jurisdiction.
• Platform terms: Some social media and payment platforms restrict gambling, raffles or prize draw activity. Check the platform rules before relying on it for sales or promotion.
• Email and SMS marketing: If you promote your raffle to a mailing list, ensure your messages comply with Australian spam and email marketing laws.

Privacy also matters. If you collect names, emails, phone numbers, addresses or payment information, publish a clear, accessible Privacy Policy that explains what you collect, why you collect it, how you use it, who you disclose it to and how people can contact you about their information.

Only use entrant information for the purposes you told people about, such as processing entries, running the draw and notifying winners, unless you have proper consent for marketing. It also helps to be across broader data retention laws in Australia so you don't keep personal information longer than necessary.

How To Run A Raffle Legally In Queensland

A compliant raffle is easier to manage when you decide the legal structure early. Use the steps below as a practical planning sequence.

1. Confirm The Organiser: Check that the raffle is being run by or for an eligible not for profit organisation, not for private business profit.
2. Estimate Gross Proceeds: Multiply ticket price by the maximum number of tickets available. Use that number to identify whether you're likely in Category 1, 2 or 3.
3. Check Licence Requirements: If expected gross proceeds are more than $50,000, check OLGR requirements and apply for the Category 3 licence before sales or advertising.
4. Choose Suitable Prizes: Avoid prohibited or restricted prizes, confirm retail values and get sponsor commitments in writing.
5. Draft The Rules: Cover eligibility, ticket pricing, sales period, draw method, draw timing, prize details, winner notification, unclaimed prizes and any conditions.
6. Prepare Tickets And Ads: Make sure every ticket or digital entry is uniquely identifiable and all promotional material matches the rules.
7. Set Up Payments And Records: Keep raffle money traceable, record sales and expenses, and limit access to ticketing and payment systems.
8. Manage Privacy: Collect only the information you need, publish your Privacy Policy and get consent before adding entrants to marketing lists.
9. Run And Record The Draw: Use the random method you promised, verify the result, notify winners, deliver prizes and store records for the required period.

Common Pitfalls To Avoid

• Calling a paid business draw a raffle: If your business keeps the proceeds, a paid chance based ticket draw is unlikely to be a lawful charitable raffle.
• Forgetting gross proceeds: The $50,000 Category 3 trigger is about total ticket sales, not net profit after prizes and costs.
• Advertising before approval: If you need a licence, wait until you have it before launching the raffle publicly.
• Using vague prize wording: Clear prize descriptions reduce disputes and help avoid misleading conduct issues.
• Selling across borders by accident: Online sales can quickly become national. Limit eligibility if you only want Queensland rules to apply.
• Overcollecting personal information: Don't ask for dates of birth, addresses or marketing consents unless you genuinely need them and have explained why.

Key Takeaways

• In Queensland, small and medium sized charitable raffles with gross proceeds of $50,000 or less usually don't need a licence, but they still need to follow conduct rules.
• Raffles are generally for eligible not for profit fundraising. A for profit business usually needs a free to enter trade promotion instead of selling paid raffle tickets for its own benefit.
• Gross proceeds means total ticket sales before expenses. If expected gross proceeds are more than $50,000, a Category 3 licence is usually required.
• Tickets and advertising should clearly state the organiser, purpose, price, draw details, prize information, winner notification process and licence number if required.
• Online raffles can be lawful, but you need unique digital entries, reliable payment records, clear jurisdiction limits, privacy compliance and email marketing compliance.
• Avoid restricted prizes, misleading prize values, unclear rules and interstate ticket sales that haven't been checked against other state and territory requirements.

If you'd like help with raffle terms, trade promotion rules, privacy documents or setting up a compliant fundraising arrangement, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.