Getting Permission for a Raffle?

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
I need to find out how to get permission to hold a raffle on BFC.
Thanks!
Michael
 
My understanding is it is simply not possible to hold a raffle in all fifty United States in compliance with all applicable laws and paying all required fees and taxes. It just can't be done.

There are other ways to raise money.
 
Exactly. The problem with raffles is that most states require a license.

Yeah, I know: a lot of other forums do 'em. But it's legal thin ice... and one of these days that ice is gonna fall through. Some AG is gonna decide to press the point and make an example of someone. As one of the largest discussion sites on the internet (and Bladeforums is one of the largest discussion sites on the internet, one of the acknowledged, "Big Boards") we'd be a tempting choice to use as that example.

Sorry.
 
Oh well, I guess the pass around bowie will be going to blade show west for raffle then.
 
L6steel said:
Oh well, I guess the pass around bowie will be going to blade show west for raffle then.
Click to expand...

The passarounds usually are 'raffled' off to the participants of the passaround, using a states lottery numbers.

I suggest you contact Dave H. in the passaround forum, and ask for his help.
 
Code, this is the original pass around bowie. It started out in Sept 99. We want to raffle it and donate the money to a good cause.

pab2.jpg
 
If you're just giving away a knife that's not a problem -- even if you call it a raffle it isn't. If you're raising money for a good cause that's heavily regulated by law, and with good reason. Who's to know how much money you raised? Will you give it all to the cause or will most of it get stuck to your fingers on the way? Not that we distrust you, we know you, but the government doesn't ... and the government wants their cut, too, and they want a lot of forms filled out and proofs that you're not stealing and in some jurisdictions it's illegal gambling no matter what you do....

If you raffle it off at a show then you only have to deal with the laws, licenses, taxes, etc. of the state the show is in. That could work, if it's legal in that state.
 
You could just put it in an auction and let everyone in the forums know where the auction is. That's not as much fun as a raffle and may not raise as much money, but an alternative anyway.
 
that's what happened with the H.I. variants that Busse made.

2 knives - auctioned on ebay - winner "donates" their money, gets the knife.


But the sale of tickets, etc. would be a sticky issue. maybe raffle isn't best afterall....?


p.s. what's the good cause it's going to? If undecided...maybe the Red Cross (for Hurricane Katrina aftermath)...?
 
Does the IRS get involved in raffles like this? If you wanted to raffle stuff off for members in need would the IRS need to be informed?

Just curious as many have done these before elsewhere and while I have no expectation that Uncle Sam gives a rat's, none raised any money personally for the raffle-er's [that I know of]. Would the person who benefited from one of these be required to report the money recieved as "income"?

Maybe a different term could be used to avoid any tax implications??
 
I'm sitting here looking at a raffle ticket....town centennial celebration dinner~fundraiser~
+++fifty different cash awards $3,500.00 First Place
+++Donation of 100.00

Raffle is not mentioned...note: Donation.
Tickets "sold" by the local volunteer Fire Dept.


Come on guys there has got to be a way this can be done.

If the knife is put up for auction it just goes to the guy with the deepest pockets. 90% of us here wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell. And there is a good chance that it would not go to someone that is even a member here. :mad: I'd really like to see it go to a member.

If all else fails and it HAS to be raffled at Blade West...Who is going that will purchase a ticket for me. :(
 
shappa said:
I'm sitting here looking at a raffle ticket....town centennial celebration dinner~fundraiser~
+++fifty different cash awards $3,500.00 First Place
+++Donation of 100.00

Raffle is not mentioned...note: Donation.
Tickets "sold" by the local volunteer Fire Dept.


Come on guys there has got to be a way this can be done.

If the knife is put up for auction it just goes to the guy with the deepest pockets. 90% of us here wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell. And there is a good chance that it would not go to someone that is even a member here. :mad: I'd really like to see it go to a member.

If all else fails and it HAS to be raffled at Blade West...Who is going that will purchase a ticket for me. :(
Click to expand...

just an idea but
if One of you are a Vet and belong to one of the American Legion posts
why not go through them?
and just sell the tickets to the members of the pass-a-round?
 
If the person or cause the monies are to go to is paid directly by the persons entering the giveaway of the Bowie, would it still be considered a raffle?
As there would be no one else taking a portion of the donations, and they all go to the target or the cause, would that work?
 
I think Howie's on the right track ...

Don't call it a raffle. It's not a raffle. It's a random drawing, a giveaway. To satisfy the "no purchase necessary" requirement and prove it's not gambling, everybody who enters gets one chance for nothing. You get an additional chance for each penny donated directly to the cause. L6 and Bladeforums never see any money from this so no one can possibly accuse us of illegal gambling. We're not gambling; we're just giving away a knife. :cool:

Spark will have to approve but I think that way could work.
 
L6steel said:
I never was going to keep any of the money for myself!
Click to expand...


I don't think anyone was thinking that. You said the all proceeds would go to a good cause....I believe you.
 
I never doubted you for a moment -- it's just a question of setting it up so Bladeforums isn't guilty of illegal gambling, or tax evasion, or running an unlicensed raffle, or ...
 
As long as there's no money involved, it's a giveaway. If you want to take donations that's something else. We don't do raffles here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top