Football squares raffle rules in Wisconsin

Are charitable football raffles legal in Wisconsin?

Every raffle in Wisconsin needs a license from the Division of Gaming — a Class A license covers tickets sold in advance (winner need not be present), which fits a season-long raffle.

Wisconsin's charitable raffles are governed by Wisconsin Statutes ch. 563 (Charitable Gaming). Regulator: Wisconsin Department of Administration — Division of Gaming.

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

Apply for a raffle license from the Wisconsin Department of Administration's Division of Gaming before selling tickets. A Class A license is for tickets sold in advance where the winner need not be present; a Class B license is for tickets sold only on the day of the raffle. Your organization must have existed for at least one year (or be chartered by a state/national organization in existence at least three years).

Licensed organizations keep records and file the required raffle reports with the Division of Gaming.

Can you sell raffle tickets online in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin licenses and regulates raffles through the Division of Gaming; sell tickets in person unless another method is authorized.

Who can run a charitable raffle in Wisconsin?

Local religious, charitable, service, fraternal, or veterans' organizations (and other federally or state tax-deductible organizations) that have existed for at least one year.

How do you stay compliant in Wisconsin?

• Get a raffle license (Class A for advance sales) from the Division of Gaming before selling tickets.
• Meet the one-year existence requirement.
• Use a Class A license when the winner need not be present.
• Spend all profits in Wisconsin per your governing documents.
• Keep records and file the required reports.

Wisconsin doesn't set a fixed percentage, but all raffle profits must be spent in Wisconsin consistent with the organization's governing documents.