Football squares raffle rules in North Carolina
Last reviewed July 10, 2026
North Carolina defines a raffle as “a game in which the prize is won by random drawing of the name or number of one or more persons purchasing chances” (Gen. Stat. § 14-309.15), and caps a nonprofit at five raffles a year. A football squares game whose winner comes from the game score is not that random drawing, so it does not qualify — and a season of many drawings would also exceed the five-a-year limit. A true drawing-based raffle is fine (at least 90% of net proceeds to charity). Get legal advice first.
| Legal status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| Governing law | North Carolina General Statutes §14-309.15 |
| Register first? | No |
| Online ticket sales | Limited |
| Proceeds to charity | At least 90% of net proceeds to charity |
| Regulator | State law (no state raffle license or agency) |
Are charitable football raffles legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina defines a raffle as “a game in which the prize is won by random drawing of the name or number of one or more persons purchasing chances” (Gen. Stat. § 14-309.15), and caps a nonprofit at five raffles a year. A football squares game whose winner comes from the game score is not that random drawing, so it does not qualify — and a season of many drawings would also exceed the five-a-year limit. A true drawing-based raffle is fine (at least 90% of net proceeds to charity). Get legal advice first.
North Carolina's charitable raffles are governed by North Carolina General Statutes §14-309.15. Regulator: State law (no state raffle license or agency).
Do you need to register to run a raffle in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn't require a state license, but a nonprofit (or a government entity) may hold only a limited number of raffles per year — currently up to five — and must follow the statute's prize caps: a single raffle's cash prize can't exceed $125,000, and a nonprofit's total cash prizes can't exceed $250,000 in a calendar year.
Can you sell raffle tickets online in North Carolina?
North Carolina raffles are conducted by the nonprofit itself and are generally sold in person; a raffle may not be run in conjunction with bingo.
Who can run a charitable raffle in North Carolina?
Tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and government entities — including booster clubs, councils, parishes, and PTAs.
How do you stay compliant in North Carolina?
- Hold no more than the allowed number of raffles per year (currently up to five).
- Stay within the prize caps ($125,000 cash per raffle; $250,000 per year).
- Use at least 90% of the net proceeds for your nonprofit purposes.
- Don't run the raffle in conjunction with bingo.
- Sell tickets in person through your organization.
North Carolina requires that at least 90% of the net proceeds of a raffle be used for the nonprofit's charitable, religious, educational, civic, or other nonprofit purposes.
Frequently asked questions
Are football squares legal in North Carolina?
North Carolina defines a raffle as “a game in which the prize is won by random drawing of the name or number of one or more persons purchasing chances” (Gen. Stat. § 14-309.15), and caps a nonprofit at five raffles a year. A football squares game whose winner comes from the game score is not that random drawing, so it does not qualify — and a season of many drawings would also exceed the five-a-year limit. A true drawing-based raffle is fine (at least 90% of net proceeds to charity). Get legal advice first.
Do you need to register to run a raffle in North Carolina?
North Carolina doesn't require a state license, but a nonprofit (or a government entity) may hold only a limited number of raffles per year — currently up to five — and must follow the statute's prize caps: a single raffle's cash prize can't exceed $125,000, and a nonprofit's total cash prizes can't exceed $250,000 in a calendar year.
Can you sell raffle tickets online in North Carolina?
North Carolina raffles are conducted by the nonprofit itself and are generally sold in person; a raffle may not be run in conjunction with bingo.
How much of a raffle's money must go to charity in North Carolina?
North Carolina requires that at least 90% of the net proceeds of a raffle be used for the nonprofit's charitable, religious, educational, civic, or other nonprofit purposes.
Official NC source
This is general information, not legal advice, and raffle laws change. Confirm the current rules with the State law (no state raffle license or agency) before you sell any tickets.
Keep reading
Ready to raise money for your cause with a season-long football raffle?
Run a raffle for your group