Is it against australian law to sell raffle tickets for the purpose of helping my family?
bubzaboo asked:
Im a single mum of 2 young children. I dont make much money and am finding it hard to afford anything beyond general living expenses. I had an idea that i could make up a few gift baskets and sell raffles tickets and use the profits to buy chrissy presents for my kids.
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Im a single mum of 2 young children. I dont make much money and am finding it hard to afford anything beyond general living expenses. I had an idea that i could make up a few gift baskets and sell raffles tickets and use the profits to buy chrissy presents for my kids.
I just wanted to make sure that this isnt illegal? Im in South Australia.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Yes it is illegal.you must be registered as a club or charity or organisation to run a raffle of any kind.It is a preety serious offence in the eyes of the law,and you must also be registered with the tax dept. Redstar
January 20th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Chook raffles were pretty common decades ago. A guy would come into a pub with a frozen chook or meat tray and sell tickets to everyone in the pub, pull out the winner give the prize, and do the same thing to the next pub down the road.
Another $ idea you may try without disappearing into pubs at night is make stencils to spray paint house numbers on curbs.
Good luck and merry christmas wizebloke
January 22nd, 2010 at 5:18 am
You will find that it is illegal in all States of Australia to do this for personal gain. Registered charities, and other organisations usually need to gain a permit from the State Government to conduct raffles where the prize value exceeds a specific value and the permit number must be printed on the ticket. In Victoria they are issued by the “Raffles and Bingo Board” which is an off-shoot of the “Gaming Commission”. So I guess all other States have a similar organisation.
Also contact people like the Salvos as they can usually help people in your situation and will often provide a dew gifts for the kids at Christmas.
Good luck and I hope your Christmas is a good one. Frank M
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 pm
It is illegal to run a raffle without relevant state permission and permit. It’s classed as a game of chance - therefore just like gambling, for someone to purchase a ticket for a chance to win a prize. However, I’ve been made aware that one way to work around this law is simply to make your raffle a “guessing competition” instead… so it’s not actually a raffle anymore, but I don’t think you could do it privately to supplement family income.
I’m not too sure about the other answers - regarding needing to be registered with the tax office etc (but it makes sense the ATO would want a share of your earnings… it’s classed as income unless you are a registered charity). Perhaps it would be better just doing some odd jobs for friends and neighbours for a small “cash only” fee. Dave F