So your organization is thinking about conducting RAFFLES....

The Office of Charitable Gaming carefully reviews each new application received to ensure that the applicant qualifies under the gaming laws set forth in the Wisconsin Statutes.

Below are a few of the requirements that must be met under Wisconsin law. Please note that these are not all-inclusive; refer to the links below for the statutes, brochure and application materials for complete information.

If you have any questions as to whether you would qualify for a raffle license, please feel free to give us a call to discuss your situation, or send an e-mail to DOADOGCharitableGaming@wi.gov before completing the application. 

• Qualified organizations.  Any local religious, charitable, service, fraternal or veterans organization or any organization to which contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes or state income or franchise tax purposes, which has been in existence for one (1) year immediately preceding its application for a license or which is chartered by a state or national organization which has been in existence for at least three (3) years, may conduct a raffle upon receiving a license for the raffle event from the department.  No other person may conduct a raffle in this state. 
• Local organization.  An organization whose activities are limited to this state, to a specific geographical area within this state or to a specific geographical area that is partly within this state and partly within another state.  An example of partly within this state and partly within another state would be Beloit, WI and South Beloit, IL or Superior, WI and Duluth, MN or other Wisconsin municipalities that bridge across state lines.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please make sure all the following requirements are met before submitting an application:

• The organization has bylaws and/or articles of incorporation which clearly define the service area you serve.  Some acceptable examples are:
  • "The Northeast Wisconsin Chapter shall serve the geographic territory of Northeastern Wisconsin including the Counties of Vilas, Forrest, and Oconto."
  • "Our organization serves the disadvantaged in the Milwaukee area."
• If your organizational documents indicate that you support causes in another state or country, then unfortunately you would not qualify for a license in Wisconsin.  An example of this would be an organization that fundraises in Wisconsin to support an overseas mission or to provide support on a national level for a cause.
• If your organization is a subsidiary of a national organization, we will need to review the Articles of Incorporation and/or affiliate agreement between the subsidiary and the national organization to make sure it meets the statutory requirements for a raffle license.  The items we look for in these agreements are:
  • Any language pertaining to use of funds raised in Wisconsin and how they are used to further the organization's purpose in Wisconsin.
  • Banking--This could include evidence of a separate banking account or be spelled out in the articles or affiliate agreement.
  • Dissolution--What happens to the funds if the operation were to cease?  We are looking to make sure that the funds are spent in Wisconsin and to support your purpose for existence as stated in your Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws.
• If there is no documentation that provides that the funds raised by a charitable raffle license will remain and be used to further the organization's purpose in Wisconsin, then unfortunately we will not be able to grant the license.

• State statutes require that organizations must be in existence for at least one year immediately preceding its application or belong to a state or national organization that has been in existence for at least three years.  ch. 563.90, Wis. Stats.
• Organization Type
  • Religious:  An established religious institution or group thereof.  If not, additional background information is requested.
  • Veteran:  An established group of past participants in the United State Armed Forces.  If not, additional information is requested.
  • Fraternal:  An organization with a representative form of government that (1) operates under the lodge system with a ritualistic form of work; (2) is organized to promote the payment of life, sickness, accident or other insurance benefits to its members; or (3) is organized to carry on some worthy civic or service purpose.
  • Service:  An organization which has, as a minimum, the benefit, the growth and the general welfare of the community as one of its principle purposes.  This category includes a labor organization whose jurisdiction is limited to a specific geographical area within the state or political party, except a state committee registered under s. 11.05 and organized exclusively for political purposes under whose name candidates appear on a ballot at any election.  This also excludes a trade association or a social club.
  • Charitable:  An organization will be classed as such if the dominant purpose of its work is for the public good, and the work done for its members is but the means adopted for this purpose.  Include registration certificate issued from the State of Wisconsin.
  • 501(c)(3):  Internal Revenue Service determination letter stating that contributions to your organization are deductible for income tax purposes.
• Class A raffle is the license type needed when tickets are sold in advance and the day of the raffle.  Tickets are pre-printed with all raffle information on them.  A winner need not be present to win.
• Class B raffle is the license type needed when tickets are only sold the day of the raffle.  Generic raffle tickets may be used.  A winner must be present to win.

• An organization conducting both Class A and Class B raffles must obtain both license types.  You must submit a separate application, supporting documentation (Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, Charter or By-Laws) and a fee for each license. 

• All profits from raffles must be expended in a manner consistent with the Articles of Incorporation, Constitution, Charter or By-Laws of the organization.

• All raffles must be conducted according to Chapter 563 of the Wisconsin Statutes and GAME 44 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Below are the Original Raffle License Application along with ticket samples and the rules and regulations for raffles in Wisconsin.