Football squares raffle rules in Iowa

Are charitable football raffles legal in Iowa?

Iowa allows charitable raffles for qualified nonprofits licensed by the Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing — no gambling before the license is in hand.

Iowa's charitable raffles are governed by Iowa Code ch. 99B (Social and Charitable Gambling). Regulator: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing (DIAL).

Do you need to register to run a raffle in Iowa?

Get a charitable-gambling license from DIAL before conducting a raffle (allow ~30 days). The organization must be a 501(c) with at least 12 active members and hold an Iowa sales-tax permit. Raffles are tiered by size — very small, small (up to $10,000), and large (up to $100,000).

Licensed organizations file the required reports with DIAL.

Can you sell raffle tickets online in Iowa?

Iowa regulates charitable gambling through DIAL; sell tickets in person unless another method is authorized.

Who can run a charitable raffle in Iowa?

IRS 501(c)(3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), or (19) organizations with an active membership of at least 12 and an Iowa sales-tax permit.

How do you stay compliant in Iowa?

• Get a DIAL charitable-gambling license before any tickets are sold.
• Have at least 12 active members and an Iowa sales-tax permit.
• Match your license tier to the raffle's prize size.
• Use the proceeds for your organization's lawful purposes.

Iowa doesn't set a fixed percentage, but proceeds must go to the qualified organization's lawful purposes.