Raffle
Also called: Printed ticket raffle (one headline prize)
Sell numbered paper tickets for fixed prizes, then draw the winners. Choose a small class raffle, a headline prize, hampers, donated prizes or an event-night raffle.
Typically raises
$1,500
$300–8,000 per campaignest.
About $86 per organiser hour
Based on one school or club raffle over 2-6 weeks
Is it right for us?
- Money
- $500–2,000
- Work
- A few evenings
- Helpers
- 16–40 people
- Lead time
- 1–2 months
- Red tape
- Light
Everyone’s done it: everyone knows it, so it's an easy yes
- People
- 1 organiser, 1 treasurer/reconciler, 20-200 sellers (one book each), 1 independent draw witness
- Organiser time
- 10-25 [Estimate]
- Lead time
- 4-8 weeks (prize, printing, 2-6 weeks selling)
- Up-front cost
- Printing $10-$350 for 500-1,000 tickets (how-it-works page price guide). A bought prize is the main risk: it's owed whatever you sell. A donated prize carries almost no risk.
- Risk
- A bought prize is owed whatever you sell. A donated prize carries almost no risk.
How it works
The scorecard and money example describe one version of this fundraiser. Other versions have different costs, helpers and results. Choose a version below before making your budget.
The money, as an example sum
Sell at $5 a ticket, keep $5, so 340 tickets = $1,700, or about $1,500 after about $200 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] Net of a bought prize. Ceiling: a $5,000 prize allows $25,000 printed; realistic sell-through for a school or club is far lower. an NZ fundraising guide: 'a few hundred' to 'a few thousand' (source has other errors).
Last checked October 2026. Ran this? Tell us what you raised and we’ll use real results to improve the figures.
Ways to run it
- One headline prize
- Use one donated prize as the reason to buy a ticket. Work out the ticket plan before printing.
- Small class or team raffle
- A quick raffle with a small prize, e.g. a $100 hamper and 250 tickets at $2, run by a society's class or team.
- Hamper raffle
- Each class or family contributes one item to themed hampers (Christmas, Easter, pantry, pamper), which are then raffled.
- Multi-prize raffle from local business donations
- A parent team canvasses local businesses for vouchers, services and stock (~$2,000 retail), packages them into themed prizes and raffles them.
- Raffle on the night
- Tickets sold through an event and drawn at the end, with the prizes on display.
Step by step
- Confirm you're a society and write the specific purpose (e.g. 'new netball bibs').
- Secure the prize and its retail value in writing before printing.
- Work out the ticket cap: min($25,000, 5 x prize value) / single price; print only what you can sell.
- Create numbered books with all s25 details (the free tool does this) and print.
- Allocate books to sellers and record who has which range.
- Brief sellers: in person only, a numbered paper ticket for every buyer, name and phone on every butt, return date.
- Promote on social media and the newsletter: prize photo plus where to buy in person.
- Collect unsold tickets and money; reconcile each book.
- Hold a public draw with an independent witness from sold tickets only; publish results within a week.
- Deliver the prize, photograph the handover (with consent) and thank the donor publicly.
Our safe rule for small raffles: sell a numbered paper ticket face to face for every entry. Use Facebook to advertise, without selling numbers in comments or messages. For other formats, see the separate licensed online raffle, trolley dash raffle and meat raffle pages.
Plan your chosen version
These notes come from the October 2026 research. Figures describe separate examples, not extra money to add to the headline amount.
Small class or team raffle
A quick raffle with a small prize, e.g. a $100 hamper and 250 tickets at $2, run by a society's class or team.
Separate example: $250 per event after costs (estimate). one raffle capped at $500 turnover
[Estimate] Turnover is capped at $500; net = $500 less any bought prize. A $100 prize allows the full $500 (20% rule).
Helpers: 1 organiser, 5-25 sellers. Lead time: 1-3 weeks. Cash risk: Minimal: a ticket book or home printing.
- Run it under the school or club (the society), not as a private person.
- Pick a prize worth at least 20% of planned turnover.
- Print up to $500 of tickets (e.g. 250 at $2).
- Sell in person over 1-2 weeks.
- Draw publicly (assembly, team training) and tell the winner.
Rules to check for this version
- Class 1: prizes and turnover each <= $500 per session; a society may hold only one Class 1 session per day (NZ Police).
- If run by an INDIVIDUAL, all profit must go to prizes (DIA Classes page), so it can't fundraise for a personal cause.
- Still in person only (our rule: a numbered paper ticket for every entry); no commission; no prohibited prizes.
Tips for this version
- Good first raffle for a new volunteer.
- Combine with an Easter or Christmas theme.
Watch out for
- Drifting over $500 of tickets turns it into Class 2, which is still fine but needs the full ticket details.
- A parent running it for their own child's trip.
Sources: dia.govt.nz, police.govt.nz, dia.govt.nz, redcross.org.nz
Hamper raffle
Each class or family contributes one item to themed hampers (Christmas, Easter, pantry, pamper), which are then raffled.
Separate example: $800 per campaign after costs (estimate). one hamper worth $150-$500
[Estimate] Hamper retail value $150-$500 sets a cap of $750-$2,500 printed per hamper (20% rule). an NZ fundraising guide calls it 'the classic raffle prize'.
Helpers: 1 organiser, class reps to collect items, sellers. Lead time: 3-6 weeks. Cash risk: Low: $10-$40 a hamper for baskets and wrapping.
- Choose themes and a target value per hamper.
- Send home a one-item request list per class with a drop-off date.
- Value the contents at shelf prices and photograph each hamper.
- Set the ticket cap from the total hamper value.
- Print tickets listing each hamper as a prize.
- Sell in person and display the hampers at pick-up or reception.
- Draw publicly and deliver.
Rules to check for this version
- Class 2 (prizes <= $5,000 retail, tickets printed x single price <= $25,000) must be run by a society; no licence needed.
- Prizes >= 20% of gross potential income (tickets printed x price) [DIA Lottery rules].
- The law: no remote sales for Class 1 or 2, so don't take orders by Facebook comment, Messenger, text, phone or online and get paid by transfer (remote interactive gambling) [Act s9; DIA]; use Facebook only to advertise. Our safe practice, and a condition of using our raffle tool: a numbered paper ticket for every entry, handed over face to face.
- s25(b) point-of-sale info on ticket and adverts; buyer contact details on the butt; organiser and society can't hold tickets.
- Draw within 14 days of close and 3 months of start, in public; results published within a week; prizes delivered within 3 months.
- No alcohol, tobacco/vapes, firearms or vouchers for them as prizes.
- Value each hamper at the retail value of its contents; check every item for alcohol (wine and beer are the commonest hamper breach).
Tips for this version
- Displaying the real hamper where parents pass sells tickets.
- Red Cross NZ: package prizes attractively and use photos.
Watch out for
- Wine, beer or RTDs slipped in by a well-meaning family.
- Perishables kept too long before the draw.
Sources: redcross.org.nz, dia.govt.nz, dia.govt.nz
Multi-prize raffle from local business donations
A parent team canvasses local businesses for vouchers, services and stock (~$2,000 retail), packages them into themed prizes and raffles them.
Separate example: $3,000 per campaign after costs (estimate). a school raffle with ~$2,000 of donated prizes
[Estimate] $2,000 of donated prizes allows up to $10,000 printed (DIA 20% rule). With no prize cost, net is roughly tickets sold less printing. A typical figure assumes 30-60% sell-through. The ~$2,000-of-prizes school case comes from the brief, not a public source.
Helpers: 1-3 prize canvassers, 1 organiser, 1 treasurer, 30-200 sellers, 1 witness. Lead time: 6-10 weeks (4-8 weeks to collect prizes, then 2-4 weeks selling). Cash risk: Very low: the prizes are donated, so only printing is at risk.
- Set the goal and purpose; list 30-60 local businesses, with the families' own connections first.
- Prepare a one-page ask letter and a donor tracker (asked, pledged, collected, thanked).
- Visit in person on weekday mornings, 4-8 weeks before printing; give a reply-by date.
- Record each prize's retail value and any expiry or conditions.
- Group small donations into themed packs (pamper, garden, family day out, date night) behind one headline prize.
- Calculate the ticket cap from the total retail value and choose price and books.
- Print tickets and a poster crediting each donor.
- Allocate books, sell in person, promote with prize photos.
- Reconcile, draw publicly, publish results.
- Thank every donor publicly and report back what was raised.
Rules to check for this version
- Class 2 (prizes <= $5,000 retail, tickets printed x single price <= $25,000) must be run by a society; no licence needed.
- Prizes >= 20% of gross potential income (tickets printed x price) [DIA Lottery rules].
- The law: no remote sales for Class 1 or 2, so don't take orders by Facebook comment, Messenger, text, phone or online and get paid by transfer (remote interactive gambling) [Act s9; DIA]; use Facebook only to advertise. Our safe practice, and a condition of using our raffle tool: a numbered paper ticket for every entry, handed over face to face.
- s25(b) point-of-sale info on ticket and adverts; buyer contact details on the butt; organiser and society can't hold tickets.
- Draw within 14 days of close and 3 months of start, in public; results published within a week; prizes delivered within 3 months.
- No alcohol, tobacco/vapes, firearms or vouchers for them as prizes.
- Prize value is RETAIL value even when donated [DIA/Act s17A].
- Every prize must be confirmed and in hand before printing; prizes can't change once sales start.
- Tax: trading stock donated to an APPROVED DONEE isn't taxed as a deemed sale from 1 Apr 2024 [IRD]; donated services get no deduction. Don't promise a tax receipt unless the group is a donee.
Tips for this version
- Ask for something specific in the $50-$150 range; it's easier to say yes to.
- Services and vouchers cost the business less than retail value, yet count at full retail on your ticket.
- Restaurants and spas get asked constantly; try trades, garden centres, mechanics and groomers (Eventgroove).
- Keep the donor list for next year (Red Cross NZ).
Watch out for
- Accepting wine or bottle-store vouchers.
- Vouchers that expire before the winner can use them.
- Adding a late prize after tickets are printed.
- Promising donors tax deductions the group can't give.
Sources: dia.govt.nz, redcross.org.nz, ird.govt.nz, eventgroove.com, bloomerang.com, w.paybee.io, rallyup.com,
Raffle on the night
Tickets sold through an event and drawn at the end, with the prizes on display.
Separate example: $700 per event after costs (estimate). one event night's raffle
[Estimate] Depends on attendance and prize table; practitioner guide suggests one prize per 25-50 attendees (Bloomerang, US).
Helpers: 2-4 sellers on the night, 1 drawer, 1 witness. Lead time: 2-4 weeks (prizes). Cash risk: Low: prizes are usually donated.
- Collect 5-20 donated prizes and display them.
- Print numbered tickets with the s25 details (or use the free tool).
- Sell from arrival; announce the draw time.
- Close sales, then draw only from sold tickets in front of the room.
- Record winners' details; publish results within a week.
Rules to check for this version
- Class 2 (prizes <= $5,000 retail, tickets printed x single price <= $25,000) must be run by a society; no licence needed.
- Prizes >= 20% of gross potential income (tickets printed x price) [DIA Lottery rules].
- The law: no remote sales for Class 1 or 2, so don't take orders by Facebook comment, Messenger, text, phone or online and get paid by transfer (remote interactive gambling) [Act s9; DIA]; use Facebook only to advertise. Our safe practice, and a condition of using our raffle tool: a numbered paper ticket for every entry, handed over face to face.
- s25(b) point-of-sale info on ticket and adverts; buyer contact details on the butt; organiser and society can't hold tickets.
- Draw within 14 days of close and 3 months of start, in public; results published within a week; prizes delivered within 3 months.
- No alcohol, tobacco/vapes, firearms or vouchers for them as prizes.
- Publicise the draw time and place; selling in the room is in person.
Tips for this version
- Red Cross NZ suggests pairing a raffle with a quiz night to lift attendance.
- Sell 'an arm's length' only if each ticket is still individually numbered and logged.
Watch out for
- Drawing unsold tickets.
- Absent winners never contacted (collect phone numbers).
Sources: redcross.org.nz, bloomerang.com, dia.govt.nz
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
Class 2 lottery: a society runs it, prizes up to $5,000 retail and turnover up to $25,000, no DIA licence. Sold in person only, no remote sales (Facebook comments, messages, phone, or online orders paid by transfer); our rule is a numbered paper ticket for every entry. Prizes must be at least 20% of tickets printed x price; draw in public within 14 days of close.
Make more from it
Sell tickets at a sausage sizzle
often 100-300 extra tickets a day (estimate)
a foot-traffic table sells to people outside your own circle
Draw it live at a club or school event
more last-minute ticket sales (estimate)
a public draw is required anyway and creates urgency
What you can get donated
Headline prize from a local business or sponsor (meat box, voucher bundle, experience); printing from a parent who works at a print shop.
Tips
- A prize people can picture sells better than a list; use one photo everywhere.
- $5 tickets suit a $500+ headline; $2 suits kids selling to family.
- Bundles ('3 for $10') are fine but never raise the print cap.
Watch out for
- Taking orders by Facebook comment or Messenger and getting paid by transfer, instead of selling in person.
- Printing more tickets once sold out.
- Changing the prize after sales start.
- An individual running it for a personal cause: all profit must go to prizes.
Raffle: checklist
0 of 12 done
Before
After
Class 2 lottery: a society runs it, prizes up to $5,000 retail and turnover up to $25,000, no DIA licence. Sold in person only, no remote sales (Facebook comments, messages, phone, or online orders paid by transfer); our rule is a numbered paper ticket for every entry. Prizes must be at least 20% of tickets printed x price; draw in public within 14 days of close.
Also pairs with: supermarket sausage sizzle (selling table)
* 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