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Raffles are a fantastic way to raise money, but each state has its own rules about what is required to make them legal. CT raffle laws are unique from those of many other states, so setting up your first raffle can feel overwhelming.
Learn everything you need to know to apply for a raffle permit and run a compliant fundraiser in Connecticut with this complete and up-to-date guide.
The State of Connecticut Division of Special Revenue governs raffles for charitable and nonprofit organizations to raise money by selling tickets for a random draw that awards prizes. AKA: a raffle. In Connecticut, it is illegal to conduct raffles without a permit.
Who can approved for a license and host a raffle in Connecticut
An officially recognized organization or association of veterans of a war the United States was engaged in.
A church or religious organization.
A civic, service, or social club.
A fraternal or fraternal benefit society.
An educational or charitable organization.
An officially recognized volunteer fire company.
A political party or town committee.
An individual, sponsoring organization, or commercial business cannot host raffles if they don't meet the above criteria, even if the money is donated to charity.
Raffle permits in Connecticut
Do you need a raffle permit to host a raffle in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut requires nonprofit organizations to have a permit for every raffle they host.
How does a nonprofit apply for a raffle permit in Connecticut?
In Connecticut, raffle permits are controlled by the municipalities. So, if your nonprofit is planning to host a raffle, you need to apply through your municipality. But there’s a catch! In Connecticut, raffles are only legal if your municipality has adopted sections 7-170 to 7-186 of the Municipal Powers legislation. So, check with your municipality to see if they allow nonprofits to host raffles.
What is required for nonprofits to apply for a raffle permit in Connecticut?
Municipalities in Connecticut can create their application forms for raffles. Still, the state’s Division of Special Revenue provides a Raffle Application Form that municipalities can use as-is or adapt.
Regardless of whether your municipality uses the state-provided form, all applications must include:
The nonprofit organization’s name, address, and details about its incorporation or organization.
The names, titles, and addresses of the organization’s officers.
A description of the nonprofit’s raffle, including the date and location.
Anticipated raffle sales and expenses and a description of the prizes, their retail value, and donors.
The specific purposes of the raffle’s net proceeds.
A list of three active nonprofit members responsible for the raffle.
A signed and verified statement by these members confirming they are Connecticut residents and that the information provided is accurate.
Connecticut offers seven kinds, or classes, of raffle permits:
Responsive Table
Permit Class
Number of Raffles Allowed
Timeframe
Maximum Prize Value
Class No. 1
1 raffle
Within 3 months of permit approval
$15,000
Class No. 2
1 raffle
Within 2 months of permit approval
$2,000
Class No. 3
Not applicable for raffles
Not applicable
Not applicable
Class No. 4
1 raffle
Within 1 month of permit approval
$100
Class No. 5
1 raffle
Within 9 months of permit approval
$50,000
Class No. 6
1 raffle
Within 1 year of permit approval
$100,000
Class No. 7
Up to 12 prize drawings
Within 15 months of permit approval
$50,000 (total for all drawings)
Does it cost money for a nonprofit to register for a raffle in Connecticut?
Fees vary depending on the type of permit you’re applying for and your municipality's rules and regulations. However, Connecticut has set maximum amounts for each permit type.
Class no. 1 permits are no more than $75 each.
Class No. 2 permits are no more than $30 each.
Class No 4. permits are no more than $15 each.
Class No. 5 permits are no more than $120 each.
Class No. 6 permits are no more than $150 each.
Class No. 7 permits are no more than $300 each.
Connecticut raffle rules and regulations
Raffle types
An act authorizing nonprofits to host a golf ball drop raffle was passed in Connecticut to broaden fundraising possibilities. A few other types include a teacup raffle or cow chip raffle event.
Raffle prizes
Connecticut is one of the few states that regulates what kind of prizes nonprofits can award to raffle winners.
Here’s the list of accepted prizes:
Merchandise
Tangible personal property
A nonrefundable or transferable ticket, coupon, or gift certificate for merchandise, tangible personal property, services, or touring services, including transportation by land, water or air
Connecticut does not allow prizes to be redeemed or redeemable for cash, and generally alcohol or cash prizes awarded are not allowed.
But, as always, there are a couple exceptions:
You can award cash prizes if your nonprofit has a Class No. 1, Class No. 2, or Class No. 4 permit.
If your nonprofit has a Class No. 6 permit, you can host a golf ball-drop raffle and award cash prizes.
If your nonprofit organization plans to award cash prizes, you must open and maintain a dedicated checking account and deposit all raffle proceeds into it. The proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets must be used to pay any expenses related to the raffle and any cash prizes.
Raffle tickets
The state of Connecticut requires all sold and unsold tickets to display clearly:
The time, date, and place of the raffle(s).
The three most valuable prizes and the total number of prizes.
However, to make the whole process (including the drawing of tickets) more manageable for you, we recommend including the following on all tickets sold:
A unique, consecutive number for each ticket.
The cost of an individual ticket and package of tickets.
The name of your nonprofit organization.
A detachable coupon or stub, and both the ticket and its coupon or stub are marked with their unique number.
You can purchase such tickets pre-made or get inspired by our sample ticket:
On May 26, 2017, the state of Connecticut began allowing nonprofit organizations to sell tickets online and accept payments by cash, cheque, credit, or debit card. So, good news! You can use Zeffy’s event management and free ticketing platform to organize and sell your raffle tickets for free.
For now, you still can not use any online or offline software to select your raffle winners. Tickets must be printed and chosen at random. (Check out our guide on how to make raffle tickets.)
The state of Connecticut also allows you to use the internet to:
Advertise your raffle. (Newsletters, banners, etc.)
Display the rules of the raffle.
Store raffle contact information for your nonprofit, including the eligible organization’s name, address, telephone number, facsimile number, or e-mail address.
Allow participants to download raffle entry forms for manual completion by raffle ticket purchasers. (But, the forms cannot the submitted online.)
Answer frequently asked questions.
List descriptions, photographs, or videos of the raffle prizes.
Good to know: The state of Connecticut requires nonprofits to keep all records for one (1) year. We review what you need to record and keep down a little further.
How to stay compliant after a nonprofit raffle
Your work’s not done after your raffle is over. For every raffle your nonprofit hosts, you need to complete and send in a report showing:
The amount of the gross receipts earned from your raffle.
The number and price of tickets sold.
Sold and unsold coupons of such raffle .
A list of expenses made or to be made and the name and address of each business or person that has been or is to be paid.
The net profit derived from the raffle and how it has been or will be used.
A list of the prizes with a retail value of $50 or more, the amount paid for each prize or the retail value for each award donated, and the names and addresses of the persons (winners) who received the awards.
In Connecticut, nonprofits need approval from their municipality and the Division of Special Revenue to hold a raffle. Rules cover who can host, the prizes, and how proceeds must be used.
Especially when hosting a specific type of raffle such as a cow chip raffle drawing or golf ball drop raffle, you want to look into regulations and authorized prizes.
Learn how to host your raffle in 11 easy steps
A raffle involves selling tickets for a chance to win, while a drawing (like a door prize) is free to enter. Both activities require permits in Connecticut.
Host your raffle for 100% free on Zeffy.
Yes! Connecticut has specific laws governing raffles, including permit requirements, prize limits, and reporting rules to ensure transparency and fairness. The Division of Special Revenue places specific regulations around how raffles are planned, promoted, run, and tracked, which are essential for any nonprofit to understand fully before starting.
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