QLD raffle rules, permits & prize tips

Planning a raffle in Queensland? This guide explains when you need a licence, the 20% minimum prize rule, what you can/can’t offer as prizes, ticket and ad requirements, draw rules, and how unclaimed prizes are handled. It’s based on the OLGR (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation) guidance and current legislation as of July 2026. As always, check the latest details before you launch. Use the free RaffleRaise Compliance Checker to confirm your category, then launch your raffle online in minutes—payments, ticketing, T&Cs, draw tools, and winner notifications built-in.

At-a-glance rules (QLD)

• Categories & thresholds
  • Category 1 (no licence): total ticket sales ≤ $2,000. (Non-profits—and in limited cases individuals—can run these.)
  • Category 2 (no licence): total ticket sales >$2,000 up to $50,000 (for raffles/art unions). Must be run by an eligible association (non-profit).
  • Category 3 (licence required): total ticket sales > $50,000. Licence details and ticket/advertising inclusions change at this level.
• Minimum prize pool: All categories require the total prize value to be at least 20% of estimated gross ticket sales (i.e., ticket sales must not exceed 5× the prize pool).
• Prohibited/restricted prizes: No tobacco, weapons/ammunition, surgical procedures, or other items restricted by law. Alcohol prizes are allowed only up to $1,000 retail value (for games other than promotional games). Cash prizes are capped at $25,000 for Category 1 and 2 games and $100,000 for Category 3 games.
• Who can enter: Don’t sell tickets to minors if any prize includes alcohol or a “gaming product”.
  
  

Step-by-step: running your QLD raffle

1) Confirm your category

• Use your estimated total ticket sales to decide if you’re Category 1 (≤$2k), Category 2 (>$2k up to $50k), or Category 3 (> $50k). Category determines licence needs and what must appear on tickets and ads.

2) Check you’re eligible to run it

• Category 2: must be run by an eligible association (non-profit as defined in the Act).
• Category 3: requires an eligible association to hold a Category 3 gaming licence. Special Category 3 licences also exist for certain one-off art unions benefiting people affected by a disaster or disadvantage.

3) Set your prize pool (and keep to the 20% rule)

• Your total prize retail value must be ≥20% of estimated ticket sales. Example: if you plan to sell $25,000 of tickets, your prizes must total at least $5,000. There are no prescribed % for expenses or net profit, but expenses (excluding prizes) must be reasonable for the size and nature of the raffle.

4) Choose compliant prizes

• Avoid prohibited items: no tobacco, weapons/ammunition, surgical procedures, or other restricted items. If offering alcohol, the total alcohol prize value must be ≤$1,000 (for non-promotional games). Existing prizes valued > $5,000 must be insured until delivered to the winner.

5) Decide if you need a licence (Category 3)

• If your estimated ticket sales exceed $50,000, you’ll need a Category 3 gaming licence before selling tickets. Category 3 ads/tickets must also show the licence number. Current fee info sits on the QLD Publications site linked in the official guide.

6) Write your rules & Terms

• State who can enter, draw method/timing, how winners are notified, unclaimed prize timelines, and any delivery/collection costs.
• Tip: RaffleRaise provides ready-to-use Terms & Conditions that mirror OLGR requirements—you just fill in your details. (Category 2/3 guides specify advertising, ticket inclusions, and timelines; see below.)

7) Prepare your tickets & sales page (what must be shown)

• Category 2 (no licence) — tickets should include:
  • Association name; closing and drawing dates; how winners are notified; ticket price; ticket number; order prizes are drawn (if not descending); description and retail value of each prize.
  • Advertising should include similar details (closing/drawing dates, price, order of prizes, notification method, association name, and each prize’s retail value).
• Category 3 (licence) — tickets/ads must include all of the above plus your licence number.
• Bundles & pricing: You may sell ticket bundles (e.g., 1 for $5 or 3 for $10) if the same discount is offered consistently to all buyers; all tickets must otherwise be sold at the same price.
• Fairness & advertising: Every ticket holder must have a fair and equal chance of winning the major prize at the draw; also, don’t imply State supervision in ads (that’s prohibited).

8) Promote responsibly

• Make the full rules accessible from your page. If you’re Category 3, ensure the licence number appears on your marketing (as above). RaffleRaise’s sales pages surface all required fields by design.

9) Run the draw

• Use a process that ensures random selection and includes the full range of tickets sold (if an unsold number is drawn, re-draw).
• Note: Electronic random draw systems (RNGs) must be OLGR-approved. RaffleRaise’s Random Digital Draw feature is not currently available for Queensland organisers, so winners will need to be selected using a manual draw method, such as a barrel draw. Contact RaffleRaise if you’d like to discuss suitable draw options.

10) Notify winners & handle unclaimed prizes

• Deliver prizes within 1 month after winners are decided (unless the winner agrees otherwise or you genuinely can’t locate them).
• If you didn’t advertise how results will be published, notify winners by mail within 28 days.
• Keep unclaimed prizes for 1 year from the draw; after that, they can generally be applied to your association’s purposes (subject to the guide’s conditions).
• Tip: The RaffleRaise platform automatically notifies winners via email, and you can publish results to your page in one click.

11) Record-keeping & audits

• Keep general gaming records for 5 years (Category 2).
• If your gross proceeds exceed $10,000 for an art union, have your gaming accounts audited and lodge the audit report with OLGR within the timeframes in the guide.
  
  

Ready to run your QLD 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 July 2026