Raffle FAQ

A raffle is a gaming scheme where ticket purchasers pay for a chance to win a prize through a random draw of tickets purchased.

Only eligible charitable organizations currently registered with AGLC may obtain a licence to conduct a raffle.

• Raffles with a total ticket value $20,000 and less. AGLC determines eligibility and the group obtains its licence(s) online with an AGLC web account or through an Alberta registry agent.
• Raffles with a total ticket value more than $20,000. The group submits an application to AGLC a minimum eight weeks prior to the start of ticket sales for the licence.

To calculate total ticket value, multiply the price(s) of the ticket(s) by the number of tickets for sale. For example, 5,000 tickets @ $20 each equals a total ticket value of $100,000.

• Traditional raffle: requires a two-part ticket on which the ticket purchaser's name and contact information is recorded. Tickets are sold for a period of time (days, weeks, months) prior to the draw. The overall value of the prizes (cash or merchandise) must be a minimum of 20% of the total ticket value of the licence.
• 50/50 (percentage draw raffle):  may only be conducted during a specific entertainment event (e.g. sports) where ticket sales, the draw, and announcement of the winner occur on the same day. The cash prize is the percentage of the gross ticket revenue.
• Progressive raffle: (e.g. Chase the Ace) is a scheme where tickets are sold for a random chance to win an event prize and where the winner of the event prize also has a chance to win a progressive prize. While a progressive raffle may be conducted without limit, a charitable organization may not exceed the total ticket value of the raffle licence for which it has been approved.
• A progressive raffle may be conducted using paper tickets or electronic components for online ticket sales and distribution, and a random number generator to select the even prize winner. A random number generator may not be used to select the progressive prize winner, which must only be selected through a manual draw.
• Prize Options
  Prizes for raffles where tickets are sold over a period of time greater than one day (first bullet above) may not be based on a percentage of ticket sales (second bullet above).
  If your group wishes to offer a percentage of ticket sales as the prize (first bullet above) you must still guarantee a minimum prize that is 20% of the total ticket value of the raffle along with the option of a percentage of the ticket sales, whichever is greater. These options must be identified on the raffle ticket.

Any organization registered with AGLC may conduct a raffle online with the use of an approved electronic raffle system to: 

• Accept ticket orders and payment
• Distribute tickets (e.g. email)
• Use a random number generator to select the prize winner(s)
• Distribute prizes

Prior to being used in a raffle, all electronic raffle system software and equipment must be:

• Certified by an accredited testing facility
• Compliant with the AGLC Electronic Raffle System Document
• Approved by AGLC

Licensed charitable organizations can contact AGLC for confirmation.

Additional information is available from the following policies at www.aglc.ca:

• Raffle Terms and Conditions