Planning Profitable Social Raffles
Raffles are a key part of the Manitoba social experience, and a great way to raise some money.
Setup
Typically, you'll see raffle tickets sold at a table near the door, and a display of prizes at the rear of the hall. Each prize package has a bag or basket for raffle tickets. Guests purchase tickets and distribute them in the bags or baskets for the prize packages that they hope to win. Prize draws are usually held around midnight, and the prizes are distributed immediately after. Winning ticket numbers are called over the sound system, or are posted on large poster boards where people can check them at leisure.
Silent Auctions
Social raffles are sometimes referred to as "Silent Auctions," however this is inaccurate. A true silent auction has a bid sheet alongsize the prize, and guests will write down their bids throughout the evening, with the highest bidder winning. Most Stag and Doe "silent auctions" are simple raffles, where guests buy tickets and winners are drawn at random.
Years ago, social permits did not include raffle licensing, and it was not possible to get a raffle license for a wedding or non-charity fundraiser event, so people would avoid calling them raffles. Now that social raffles can be legally licensed, there is no reason to refer to them as silent auctions.
Regulations
The Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba sets out the regulations for socials. Permits are required to hold fundraising raffles, and there are regulations on the value of prizes and the cost of raffle tickets. Always follow the requirements of your permit.
According to LGCA regulations, raffle tickets must not cost more than $2 each. They can be sold in bundles, but each ticket must not cost more than $2.
Regular / Grand prize raffles
Most of the prizes available to be won at a social will be regular prizes. There are typically around a dozen regular prizes. Regular prize tickets are often sold as sheets of 25 tickets, sometimes known as “Penny Sale” tickets.
Grand prizes are larger and more expensive then regular prizes. A typical social will have between 3 and 5 "Grand" prizes. Common grand prizes are beer fridges, patio sets, TVs, or Jets tickets or jerseys.
Golden Ticket
The "Golden Ticket" is a more recent phenomenon at socials. If there is a golden ticket prize, there will only be one. It is a large ticket item, commonly a travel voucher, and the only way to purchase a draw for the ticket is to buy a large ticket pack. For example, a $100 ticket pack might include many regular tickets, a few grand prize tickets, and a single golden ticket. Sometimes these tickets are printed on a golden yellow or glittery paper stock.
These prizes, like all prizes at a social are limited to a value of $500, unless they are donated.
Perfume Draw
A "Perfume Draw" is a raffle for a bottle of liquor, usually a Texas mickey of rye.
It used to be that liquor was not allowed to be raffled off, and as such people would announce it as a draw for "perfume". These days, liquor can be legally raffled at socials, including homemade beer or wine. The liquor however cannot be opened or consumed until the winner gets it home. For more information on the legality and restrictions of both liquor and raffles at socials, check out the Liquor, Gaming & Cannabis Authority of Manitoba's MYLGCA website.
Due to LGCA regulations, cannabis cannot be given as a prize.
50/50 Draw
Many socials have a 50/50 draw. Usually these tickets are sold by helpers that walk through the party once it gets lively. These tickets are sold either individually, or by the "wingspan" (arms length).
As each raffle prize cannot exceed $500, your 50-50 sales must be limited to $1,000 worth of tickets.
Door Prize
It's common to have a door prize to draw people into your event. Make sure you advertise your door prize when you are selling tickets, and include a time that guests have to arrive by (say, 8pm) to get entered for the draw.
If you number your entrance tickets on both corners, you can use the ticket for the door prize. On entry, the ticket is torn. One half is kept by the guest, and the other is kept for draw at the end of the night. Other door draws are done with playing cards torn in half (using multiple decks with distinct backs). Some door prizes are done with regular raffle style tickets.
Door prize draws occur with the rest of the prize draws at the end of the night.
Packaging and signage
Make sure that raffle prizes are clearly visible by putting them in baskets and using clear plastic to wrap them up. Boxes make your prizes into too much mystery, while leaving prizes loose leaves them easily stolen, as well as difficult for the winner to transport home.
Each prize package has a sign indicating what is included. Signs should be clearly visible, especially if the package includes small or hard-to-identify items.
When you design the prize signs, make sure to include the names of people and companies who have donated to the package.
Raffle Tickets
To find out how and where to get them, check out our page on raffle tickets.
Draws
The raffle, 50/50 and door prize draws are held around midnight. Turn down the music, turn up the lights, head to the microphone and pull winning tickets from a hat (or basket). It is common practice to get the winner of a draw to pull the name for the next draw. Often only grand prize and golden ticket numbers will be announced, and the regular prize winners will be posted on a large poster board.
Prizes can either be handed out during the draw by helpers, or can be picked up shortly after all numbers are called.
Getting Prizes
Donations
It is uncommon for companies to donate large ticket items to socials, but some still donate small items or discount coupons. Often companies will donate to your event when you purchase with them, although some companies will give out small items or discount coupons without purchase. Find out more on getting donations for social prizes and writing donation request letters.
Ideas
Now that you know how to run your raffles, read up on some great prize ideas!