Raffle Rules NT

Raffles are a time honoured and popular way to raise funds for your favourite cause. The regulations can be a bit of a minefield and vary so much State-to-State. No wonder you are wondering what the Northern Territory raffle rules are!

A raffle could be loosely defined as any game of chance where there is a limited number of tickets sold, and where each ticket has the same chance of winning as every other ticket sold. But as you know, there are a million and one ways to go about a raffle. From parking a wheelbarrow full of goodies outside the local shops to raffling off fancy houses on the Gold Coast, to a good old Friday night chook raffle or meat tray draw at the pub (yes, chook raffles are still alive and well).

In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that the only limits on running a raffle are the number of helpers you can rope in, and your imagination. But you would be wrong.

Raffles are classified by all Australian States and Territories as ‘gaming’ and, alongside casinos and licensed clubs, raffles are subject to regulation designed to protect the consumer, and the people conducting the gaming. The maze of legislation and regulation which surrounds raffles can be very daunting to the small community-based fundraiser (or, for that matter, us!), and I would not be surprised if some raffles had been abandoned in the face of it.

As the best way to avoid accidentally breaking gaming laws is to be informed, we thought it would be useful to assemble a quick-reference guide to raffle regulations in the Northern Territory.

A note of caution: this article is intended only as a general guide. Whilst the information provided is correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of publication, we strongly advise anyone who is planning to conduct a raffle to seek the advice of the regulating authority below.

Regulating Agency: Licensing Northern Territory

‘Lotteries and Community Gambling’ nt.gov.au
1800 193 111
territory.businesscentre@nt.gov.au

Key Features of Raffle Rules NT:

You need to be an ‘approved association’ to run any kind of raffle for fundraising. You can find out how to become an approved association here.
In the NT you do not require a permit to run a raffle where the total value of ticket sales is $5,000 or less.
You need a minor lottery permit if the total value of ticket sales is between $5,000 and $20,000
You need a major lottery permit if the total value of ticket sales is above $20,000.
You can apply for a minor or major licence here and you must submit your application at least 14 days before the commencement of the raffle. As at the time of publishing, I was advised that no fees are charged for applying for a licence (the only place in Australia so you’re lucky!!!)
You cannot provide a prize for the seller of the most tickets, but you can provide a prize for the seller of the winning ticket
Liquor must not be a principal prize – this includes prizes consisting solely of money and liquor
All tickets included in the draw, and any unsold tickets, must be kept by the association for 12 months.
Read more about conditions and restrictions here.
The total value of the prizes must be at least one-third of the total value of the tickets or entry fees Eg. a Raffle with gross receipts of $5,000 must have prizes which value NO LESS THAN $1,667 in total.
Read more about conditions and restrictions here.