ACT raffle rules, permits & prize tips

Running a raffle in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)? This guide covers when you need a permit, the 5×/10× ticket-to-prize caps, what must be on tickets and ads, draw and redraw rules, winner notifications, and record-keeping. It’s based on the ACT Gambling & Racing Commission’s Raffles page and its detailed Raffle Information & Conditions and Exempt Lotteries factsheets. As always, check the latest details before you launch. Use the free RaffleRaise Compliance Checker to confirm your ACT requirements, then set up your raffle online in minutes—payments, ticketing, T&Cs, draw tools, and automatic winner notifications built in.

At-a-glance rules (ACT)

• Permit threshold
  • A permit is not required if the total prize value ≤ $2,500 (this is an exempt lottery). Above that, you generally need a permit before advertising or conducting the raffle in the ACT. Exempt lotteries must still follow set conditions.
• Ticket-to-prize cap (the “ratio” rule)
  • ACT caps total ticket sales relative to the prize pool:
  • < $10,000 prizes → max ticket sales = 5× prize value;
  • ≥ $10,000 prizes → max ticket sales = 10× prize value.
  • (Set a ticket limit so you don’t exceed these caps.)
• What tickets must show
  • Permit number (if applicable), benefiting person/organisation and purpose, full list of prizes with retail value, any prize conditions, sequential ticket number, date/time/location of the draw (or other method), and how/where results will be published or winners notified. For not-for-profits, these ticket inclusions only kick in where an individual prize is ≥ $2,000.
• Draw & redraw basics
  • Draw must be fair and transparent with equal chance for all entries; major prize drawn first (unless winning entries can be redrawn). If a prize isn’t claimed within a reasonable period, you must redraw—and your T&Cs must state the redraw method/date/time/place.
• Timing & notifications
  • Unless otherwise approved, the draw must occur within 12 months of the permit issue date. Make results available within 7 days if asked, and notify all winners directly within 21 days (email, mail, fax or SMS).
• Advertising & permit number
  • Once approved, the Commission issues a permit number—include it on all tickets and advertisements.
• Records
  • Keep raffle records (stubs, tickets sold/unsold, seller details) and financial statements for 12 months after the draw; the Commission can request them.
    
    

Step-by-step: running your ACT raffle

1) Check if you’re exempt or need a permit

• Exempt if total prize value ≤ $2,500 (still follow the Exempt Lotteries conditions).
• Permit required if prize value is over $2,500. Apply online via the Commission’s Smart Form. Processing typically starts when the fee is paid; allow about 7 working days once everything is received.

2) Set your prize pool and cap tickets (5× / 10× rule)

• Estimate your prizes’ retail value and then cap ticket sales so you don’t exceed the ACT ratios.
  • If the prize pool is less than $10,000, the total value of tickets sold must be no more than 5 × the prize value.
  • If the prize pool is $10,000 or more, the total value of tickets sold can be up to 10 × the prize value.

3) Write clear Terms & Conditions

• State who can enter, start/close dates, draw method/time/place, how winners are notified, redraw details for unclaimed prizes, and where results will be published.
• Tip: RaffleRaise provides ready-to-use T&Cs that mirror the ACT factsheets—you just fill in your raffle details.

4) Build compliant tickets & your sales page

• Include the required ticket fields (see “What tickets must show” above). If you’re a not-for-profit with no individual prize ≥ $2,000, those ticket field requirements are relaxed—but it’s still best practice to include them on your sales page. RaffleRaise automatically includes these disclosures on your page.

5) Apply (if required) and budget the fee

• Permit fees scale with prize value (examples: >$2,500–$5,000: $255; >$5,000–$10,000: $373; >$10,000–$50,000: $721; >$50,000: $1,030). Use the Commission’s Lotteries—Forms & Fees page for the current schedule and Smart Form links.

6) Promote responsibly (and include your permit number)

• Don’t advertise until you’re approved. Once you are, show the permit number on tickets and ads. For website promotions, ACT jurisdiction can be triggered by hosting in the ACT or additional advertising in the ACT, so plan your comms accordingly.

7) Run the draw, publish results, notify winners

• Run a fair, transparent draw; draw the major prize first (unless entries can win multiple prizes). Make results available within 7 days on the channel you advertised (e.g., your website), and notify winners within 21 days.
• Tip: The RaffleRaise platform automatically notifies winners via email, and you can publish results to your page in one click.

8) Handle unclaimed prizes (redraw)

• If a prize isn’t claimed in a reasonable time, you must redraw using the method/date/time/place you set out in your T&Cs

9) Keep records for 12 months

• Retain ticket and financial records for 12 months after the draw; be ready to provide them to the Commission on request. RaffleRaise keeps a full exportable audit trail.

Ready to run your ACT raffle?

Use the free RaffleRaise Compliance Checker to confirm your requirements, then launch your raffle online in minutes—payments, ticketing, T&Cs, draw tools, and winner notifications built-in.

Version 1.0

Updated 1 September 2025