Scratchies or mystery envelopes
Buyers pay for a scratch card or sealed envelope and find out on the spot whether, and what, they've won.
Typically raises
$400
$100–1,500 per eventest.
About $67 per organiser hour
Based on 200 envelopes at $5
Is it right for us?
- Money
- Under $500
- Work
- A few evenings
- Helpers
- 1–2 people
- Lead time
- 2–3 weeks
- Red tape
- Light
Uncommon: mystery envelopes feel fresh to most supporters
- People
- 1-2
- Organiser time
- 4-8 [Estimate]
- Lead time
- 2-3 weeks
- Up-front cost
- Envelopes or printed cards; donated vouchers inside. Low.
- Risk
- Low: the vouchers inside are donated.
How it works
The money, as an example sum
Sell at $5 a envelope, keep $5, so 84 envelopes = $420, or about $400 after about $20 of costs. That’s about the typical result.
Using the figures on this page. Your prices and costs will differ.
Where the money figure comes from
[Estimate] e.g. 200 envelopes at $5 = $1,000 potential income; prizes >= $200 (20% rule).
Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.
Step by step
- List prizes and total their retail value.
- Set the number of envelopes and price so prizes are >= 20%.
- Prepare and seal the envelopes independently; log what is in them.
- Sell in person; record who won what.
- Reconcile envelopes sold vs prizes paid.
Getting the word out
Even a well-run plan fails if nobody hears about it. There are two asks, and the first one goes out first.
- Ask for help
- Sellers to take a book of tickets, and businesses to give prizes.
- Ask people to buy
- People to buy tickets.
- When to start
- Ask for helpers first, as soon as the date is set. Start the public ask about 3–4 weeks out, and book newsletter and paper notices before that: small newsletters close early.
Where to put it
- Asking people yourselfMost yeses come from someone asking directly. Give every member a short message they can send to family and workmates.
- PostersPosters at the school gate, the clubrooms and shop windows, with the date, place, price and how to pay.
- School, club and church newslettersYour own newsletter is free and read by the families most likely to say yes. Check when it closes.
- Email lists and group chatsYour members’ email list and the class, team or church group chats. Short, with one date or one link.
The full guide to getting the word out: every channel from flyers to the evening news, with lead times and costs.
What you’ll need
- Place
- Not neededNone needed
- Landowner’s permission
- Not needed
- Council permit
- Not needed
- Food rules
- Not neededNo food sold
- Alcohol
- Not neededNo alcohol sold
- Gambling rules
- NeededClass 2: prizes up to $5,000 and all tickets printed worth up to $25,000. Run by a club or society, with the money going to community or charitable purposes. Prizes at least 20% of ticket value; sold in person only, every ticket numbered (our rule: on paper). Prizes over $5,000 need a Class 3 licence
DIA Instant Game rules apply: prizes at least 20% of potential income, sold in person only, organiser and society may not buy. Class 1 if both prizes and turnover are $500 or less.
What you can get donated
Vouchers and small products from local businesses.
Tips
- Use the small donations that don't fit a raffle pack.
Watch out for
- Organisers buying envelopes.
- Not disclosing how many prizes there are.
Scratchies or mystery envelopes: checklist
0 of 10 done
Before
On the day
After
DIA Instant Game rules apply: prizes at least 20% of potential income, sold in person only, organiser and society may not buy. Class 1 if both prizes and turnover are $500 or less.
Also pairs with: school gala, ‘Multi-prize raffle from local business donations’ (leftover small prizes)
Sources
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide