Progressive raffles best practices

A progressive raffle is a type of raffle in which tickets are sold for a random chance of winning an event prize. The winner of the event prize also has a chance of winning a progressive prize if the winner achieves the specific criteria identified in the Raffle Rules (e.g., drawing a specific card from the deck). The progressive prize is a cash prize that is a percentage of ticket sales accumulated from raffle ticket sales throughout the raffle licence. Please refer to Raffle Terms and Conditions for additional information specific to conducting a progressive raffle.

Types of raffle tickets:

Progressive raffles may be conducted with two‐part tickets (that collects the ticket purchaser’s name and contact information) or bearer raffle tickets. Two‐part tickets must be used if ticket sales occur at multiple locations or over multiple days before the draw.

Bearer tickets

In a typical progressive raffle, bearer raffle tickets are sold in person during an event, with a manual ticket draw held at a specified time at the end of the event. Bearer tickets do not include the name and contact information of the ticket purchaser. Therefore, ticket purchasers must be present to claim the prize by presenting the winning ticket.

Two‐Part tickets

Two‐part tickets that capture the ticket purchaser’s name and contact information must be used if ticket sales occur at multiple locations or over multiple days before the draw. This ticket permits the charity to sell tickets over several days before the draw. In addition, it allows the winning ticket holder to claim the prize without being present at the draw.

Electronic progressive raffles

An electronic raffle system (ERS) may be used to conduct in‐person or online ticket sales, distribute tickets, and use a random number generator (RNG) to select the draw winner. However, an RNG may not be used to determine the outcome of the progressive pool for the chosen winner.

Criteria to win progressive prize:

A popular type of progressive raffle is Chase the Ace. In Chase the Ace, the winner of the event prize has the opportunity to select one playing card from a single deck of 52 playing cards. If the Ace of Spades is selected, the person will win the progressive jackpot and the event prize. However, suppose the chosen card is not the Ace of Spades. In that case, the selected card is removed from the deck, and the progressive prize portion of the ticket sales for that draw is rolled over into the progressive jackpot for the next scheduled draw. The charity conducts scheduled draws until the Ace of Spades is selected, and the progressive jackpot has been awarded.

Although Chase the Ace and other card‐style progressive raffles, such as Klub the King and Crown the Queen, are popular types of progressive raffles, charitable organizations may propose unique criteria for selecting the progressive prize winner. Charities must identify the specific criteria required for winning the progressive prize in its Raffle Rules.

Exit plan:

Exit plans specify how a charity may force the draw of a progressive to terminate the raffle and licence. Exit plans may be exercised in specific situations:

• Raffles with a total ticket value (TTV) $20,000 and less:
  • If a charity has been licensed for a raffle with a TTV $20,000 or less, the charity must enact the exit plan when ticket sales reach $20,000.
• Raffles with a total ticket value (TTV) more than $20,000:
  • If a charity has been licensed for a raffle with a TTV of more than $20,000, the charity must submit an operational plan to AGLC by the time the jackpot reaches $1 million. If the operational plan is not submitted to AGLC before this point, the charity must enact its exit plan.
  • The exit plan may also be exercised if the charity determines that it is no longer feasible to continue with the draw or has reached the maximum term of the licence.

Operational plan for jackpots of $1 million or more:

Operational plans are intended to help charities conduct successful and safe raffles. AGLC requires charities to submit an operational plan when the jackpot is anticipated to exceed $1 million. Typically, operational plans include the following and may be customized based on in-person or online sales:

• Site Security Plan – Buildings with large crowds often present public safety risks and concerns. Having a security plan with security personnel will assist in mitigating risks and adhering to respective fire regulations, codes and occupancy loads, as well as the need for medical and cellular services in the area.
• Traffic & Parking Management – With an increased volume of traffic travelling to the venue(s), consider how to ensure that public safety is maximized for those travelling to the raffle and how to minimize incidences once purchasers arrive at the draw venue.
• Policing/Security Services – Given the potential for progressive raffles to grow so too does the risk. Having a police or security presence may reduce many of these safety risks.
• Request for Additional Selling Locations – As progressive raffles grow, additional capacity is often required. Given that venues are usually pre‐booked well in advance, or are only seasonal, consider how to address overall capacity and the need to acquire additional selling locations. Suppose the charity chooses to avoid this scenario and sells tickets during the week. In that case, raffle tickets must be used to collect purchaser names and contact information.
• Ticket and Draw Details – To ensure raffle integrity, attention must be paid to matters such as serialization to ensure no duplication, increased capacity of the draw drum, transporting tickets from additional selling locations, increased time to determine a winner and time for transporting the winner to the draw venue, etc.
• Cash Management – Progressive raffles generate large amounts of cash. The charity may need to consider solutions such as an armed car service, temporary holdings and storage.
• Communication Strategy – Communication is a key success factor in any raffle. The development and testing of a dedicated strategy is recommended. If there are multiple selling locations, communication between venues and the main draw location is essential. In addition, ensure that communication among venues and with ticket purchasers is effective. In remote areas, ensure that any cell phone coverage issues are addressed.