House raffles—like any other raffle—are games of chance and considered gambling by most states. Every state has raffle laws and some states forbid raffles altogether. Even if a house raffle is legal in your state, it may not be legal in your county, city, town, or municipality. Also, your local government may have stricter raffle regulations than your state has.

Overall, before you hold a house raffle or buy a house raffle ticket, it’s critical that you contact your state and local government for current and accurate information on house raffle laws for your area.

Let’s be 100% clear: If you hold a house raffle that’s not legal, the penalties are jail time, or hundreds (maybe thousands) of dollars in fines, or both.

House Raffle Laws by State

Contact your local officials directly for details on how (or IF) you can hold a house raffle. Note that:

• Almost all states require raffles be held by a non-profit or charitable organization
• Most states require applications, licenses, and permits to hold a raffle
• A couple of states require that raffle tickets be payment-optional (!)

These links are provided as a start for collecting information, not the final say. YOU SHOULD directly contact your attorney general, gaming commission, and other local officials for rules and regulations for holding a house raffle in your area.