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Office of Sport

There are laws in place in NSW’s Lotteries and Art Unions Regulation 2014 that regulate lotteries, raffles and games of chance used to raise money by non-profit organisations and drive membership to registered clubs. 

A promotional raffle can only be conducted at a club registered under the Registered Clubs Act 1976 for entertainment purposes. Usually minimal or no profit is received from the sale of tickets in a promotional raffle. This is different from a raffle which is organised to raise funds for a registered club. 

If your club is considering fundraising activities along these lines you will need to comply. Activities that require a permit include:

  • Raffles (including guessing competitions), no-draw lotteries (scratch, break-open lotteries), mini-numbers (lotto style games), art unions, football doubles and variations
  • Charity housie, lucky envelopes, chocolate wheels
  • Club bingo, promotional raffles
  • Social housie
  • Sweeps and calcuttas
  • Football tipping competitions, hundred clubs
  • Trade promotion lotteries, gratuitous lotteries.

In addition, the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 outlines how a charity can legally undertake fundraising activities.

More information

Your state or national body is a good first port of call for advice and assistance.

For permit application forms and information on fundraising rules and regulations, head to the Liquor and Gaming NSW and NSW Fair Trading.

Disclaimer

As with any resource, this does not replace obtaining legal advice on each sport specific requirement and it is recommended you do so. 

The information provided in this resource is for your information only.  The authors and the NSW Office of Sport accept no responsibility for the accuracy of the information or your reliance upon it.

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