Football squares raffle rules in Louisiana

Are charitable football raffles legal in Louisiana?

Louisiana allows charitable raffles, but you generally need both a local ordinance authorizing charitable gaming and a license from the state Office of Charitable Gaming.

Louisiana's charitable raffles are governed by Louisiana Charitable Raffles, Bingo and Keno Licensing Law (La. R.S. 4:707 et seq.). Regulator: Louisiana Office of Charitable Gaming (Department of Revenue) and your municipality/parish.

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

The municipality or parish must authorize charitable gaming by local ordinance, and the organization gets a license from the state Office of Charitable Gaming. A limited raffle license option (reduced $25 fee, no separate gaming account) is available for smaller operations.

Licensed organizations file the required financial reports with the Office of Charitable Gaming.

Can you sell raffle tickets online in Louisiana?

Louisiana licenses charitable gaming at the state level with local authorization; sell tickets in person unless another method is authorized.

Who can run a charitable raffle in Louisiana?

IRS 501(c) charitable organizations, plus Mardi Gras carnival organizations, civic and service associations, volunteer fire companies, booster clubs, and parent-teacher associations.

How do you stay compliant in Louisiana?

• Confirm your municipality or parish has a charitable-gaming ordinance.
• Get a license from the state Office of Charitable Gaming (or a limited raffle license).
• File the required financial reports.
• Use the proceeds for your organization's charitable purposes.

Louisiana doesn't set a fixed percentage here, but proceeds must go to the organization's charitable purposes under state and local rules.