Football squares raffle rules in Massachusetts

Are charitable football raffles legal in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts defines a raffle as “an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets, certain among which, as determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holders to prizes” (Gen. Laws ch. 271 § 7A) — it does not require a drawing, so a score-determined football squares game plausibly fits, and there is no cap on how many raffles a year (the three-event and five-hour limits apply to bazaars, not raffles). A local clerk’s permit is required, plus a 5% tax on gross proceeds to the State Lottery Commission. Confirm the structure with the clerk and counsel first.

Massachusetts's charitable raffles are governed by Massachusetts General Laws ch. 271, §7A. Regulator: your city / town clerk and the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.

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

Apply for a raffle/bazaar permit from the clerk of the city or town where the raffle is held (fee up to $50); the clerk routes it to the police chief to confirm your organization qualifies. The organization must have operated as a nonprofit in Massachusetts for at least two years, and only its members may run the raffle without pay.

File a return with the State Lottery Commission within 10 days after the raffle and pay a 5% tax on the GROSS proceeds. File an annual report (winners of prizes over $250, net proceeds, and how they were used) within 30 days of the permit's expiration, certified by the three responsible members and an accountant.

Can you sell raffle tickets online in Massachusetts?

The raffle must be run solely by the sponsoring organization's members, which is a poor fit for open online sales; sell tickets in person through your members.

Who can run a charitable raffle in Massachusetts?

Organizations that have operated as a nonprofit in Massachusetts for at least two years for educational, charitable, religious, fraternal, or civic purposes, or for veterans' benefits.

How do you stay compliant in Massachusetts?

• Get a raffle permit from your city or town clerk before selling tickets.
• Meet the two-year Massachusetts nonprofit existence requirement.
• Run the raffle only with your own members, unpaid.
• File a return and pay the 5% gross-proceeds tax to the Lottery Commission within 10 days.
• File the certified annual report within 30 days of your permit's expiration.

All funds must be used for the purposes stated in your permit application (educational, charitable, religious, fraternal, civic, or veterans'). Note the 5% tax on gross proceeds payable to the State Lottery Commission.