I'd like to hold a raffle. Is that legal?
Certain organizations in Texas qualify to hold charitable raffles. The Texas Attorney General's website provides information about raffles. We are often asked if a specific organization or if a private individual is allowed to hold a raffle under the law. The Attorney General's website states the following about who may hold a raffle (emphasis added):
If you are interested in reading the text of the law itself, see the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act (chapter 2002 of the Texas Occupations Code).Who may conduct raffles?
Only a qualified religious society that has been in existence in Texas for at least 10 years; a qualified volunteer fire department that operates firefighting equipment, provides fire-fighting services and that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; a qualified volunteer emergency medical service that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; or a qualified 501(c) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization that has been in existence for at least three years may hold raffles in Texas under CREA. Individuals and for profit businesses may not hold raffles.
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