Comments on: House Raffles: Dream or Nightmare? http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/ Fundraising Resources for Non Profit Organizations Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:33:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jason F. http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-80528 jason F. Sun, 01 May 2011 09:12:47 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-80528 Does anybody know the logic or reasoning behind the law that makes it illegal to have a private entity hold a raffle and profit from its proceeds? And if you were to propose a bill to attempt to change the law, who would potentially, be your opposition. Does anybody know the logic or reasoning behind the law that makes it illegal to have a private entity hold a raffle and profit from its proceeds? And if you were to propose a bill to attempt to change the law, who would potentially, be your opposition.

]]> By: Bruce http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-51955 Bruce Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:27:37 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-51955 You might want to know of an online raffle site, a corporation formed in a jurisdiction where online betting is legal by 2 non-profits and a provisional gov't. http://www.tobet.me It works mainly on 50/50 donations sold through www.buyorsell.it (goods and services). The funds are then listed as a growing prize pool which can be allocated (focussed) to your charity or non-profit, or the player can apply them to others listed on the site. It is legal in most jurisdictions because there are no monies transacted, and the winning is based on (in most cases) correctly selecting the winning moment (races or other timeable events). Most of the usual regulations still apply (individuals can't usually be the beneficiary, however the site aims to make funding possible for a variety of worthy international projects.) You might want to know of an online raffle site, a corporation formed in a jurisdiction where online betting is legal by 2 non-profits and a provisional gov’t. http://www.tobet.me It works mainly on 50/50 donations sold through http://www.buyorsell.it (goods and services). The funds are then listed as a growing prize pool which can be allocated (focussed) to your charity or non-profit, or the player can apply them to others listed on the site.

It is legal in most jurisdictions because there are no monies transacted, and the winning is based on (in most cases) correctly selecting the winning moment (races or other timeable events). Most of the usual regulations still apply (individuals can’t usually be the beneficiary, however the site aims to make funding possible for a variety of worthy international projects.)

]]> By: Gill C http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-51514 Gill C Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:14:14 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-51514 Interesting idea... Do you think it might be easier to sell cars this way otherwise? I'm thinking it's a smaller prize and more standardized so more likely to appeal to a broader public? I've come across raffles and competitions featuring a car prize (e.g. http://win-cars.com/cars.html) but the question I have is whether this might work for 2nd hand cars as well, what are your thoughts (if the car is in good condition). Thank you, Gill Interesting idea… Do you think it might be easier to sell cars this way otherwise? I’m thinking it’s a smaller prize and more standardized so more likely to appeal to a broader public? I’ve come across raffles and competitions featuring a car prize (e.g. http://win-cars.com/cars.html) but the question I have is whether this might work for 2nd hand cars as well, what are your thoughts (if the car is in good condition). Thank you, Gill

]]> By: Diane G. McDermott http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-48167 Diane G. McDermott Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:38:18 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-48167 Hi, I questioned an internet attorney, referring to the Federal Wire Wager Act and he responded that Federal law does not prohibit the selling of raffle tickets online, but the issue is at the state level. For example, California has a penal code prohibiting the sale of raffle tickets on the Internet. I see that many California raffles are using fax and mail and prohibit Internet buys. So check your state laws regarding selling raffle tickets online. Regarding a successful outcome: Although the grand prize is very important, I believe it is not so much the house that affects the outcome but preparation by the nonprofit organization and the homeowner. A house raffle is like a horse race; you must leave the starting gate at full speed with a bang, reach a strong momentum and then wrap it up with another burst of energy. And before you even start selling tickets, lots of preparation is required. For the grand prize, a foreclosure home will work too as long as you have an agreement with the lender to delay the foreclosure process until after the drawing date. You'll find foreclosure homes in a variety of price ranges. Bank owned foreclosure properties work too, but it can take months to iron out an agreement with the loss mitigation dept. of the bank. Diane Giraudo McDermott, Author of I Sold My House in a Raffle released on June 1, 2010 by Morgan James Publishing. Check it out at www.isoldmyhouseinaraffle.com House raffles are a win win for everyone, let's keep them going! Hi,
I questioned an internet attorney, referring to the Federal Wire Wager Act and he responded that Federal law does not prohibit the selling of raffle tickets online, but the issue is at the state level. For example, California has a penal code prohibiting the sale of raffle tickets on the Internet. I see that many California raffles are using fax and mail and prohibit Internet buys. So check your state laws regarding selling raffle tickets online.

Regarding a successful outcome: Although the grand prize is very important, I believe it is not so much the house that affects the outcome but preparation by the nonprofit organization and the homeowner. A house raffle is like a horse race; you must leave the starting gate at full speed with a bang, reach a strong momentum and then wrap it up with another burst of energy. And before you even start selling tickets, lots of preparation is required.

For the grand prize, a foreclosure home will work too as long as you have an agreement with the lender to delay the foreclosure process until after the drawing date. You’ll find foreclosure homes in a variety of price ranges. Bank owned foreclosure properties work too, but it can take months to iron out an agreement with the loss mitigation dept. of the bank.

Diane Giraudo McDermott, Author of I Sold My House in a Raffle
released on June 1, 2010 by Morgan James Publishing. Check it out at http://www.isoldmyhouseinaraffle.com

House raffles are a win win for everyone, let’s keep them going!

]]> By: Diane G. McDermott http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-33626 Diane G. McDermott Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:47:05 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-33626 My book titled: I Sold My House in a Raffle - A Proven Step-by-Step method to Get Your Asking Price, Save Money, Save Time, and Help a Charity Too! will be availble in early 2010. Watch for it from Morgan James Publishing, U.S. I agree with prior comments that you must be prepared, it isn't easy, and there are legal ramifications. However, I Sold My House in a Raffle walks the reader through the entire process. Although there are times when you should not do a house raffle, preparation is definately the key to success. Diane Giraudo McDermott My book titled: I Sold My House in a Raffle – A Proven Step-by-Step method to Get Your Asking Price, Save Money, Save Time, and Help a Charity Too! will be availble in early 2010. Watch for it from Morgan James Publishing, U.S. I agree with prior comments that you must be prepared, it isn’t easy, and there are legal ramifications. However, I Sold My House in a Raffle walks the reader through the entire process. Although there are times when you should not do a house raffle, preparation is definately the key to success. Diane Giraudo McDermott

]]> By: lewis watson http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-31567 lewis watson Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:49:30 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-31567 hi can anyone tell me if you sell something and enter the buyer into a draw free, is this legal in the uk. hi can anyone tell me if you sell something and enter the buyer into a draw free, is this legal in the uk.

]]> By: Peace http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-29621 Peace Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:49:04 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-29621 I agree with you Chantel, to my knowledge there is no law prohibiting using the internet to raffle houses in the USA. Non-profits do it all the time so I'd be very surprised there is any such law. As long as you can legally run a raffle to my knowledge you can do it in various ways including the internet. I think it's a great idea and if done correctly can really work out for both the homeowner and the nonprofit: http://winahouseraffles.com/blog/organizing-house-raffles/30-house-raffle-brings-charity-back-into-profit.html I agree with you Chantel, to my knowledge there is no law prohibiting using the internet to raffle houses in the USA. Non-profits do it all the time so I’d be very surprised there is any such law. As long as you can legally run a raffle to my knowledge you can do it in various ways including the internet.

I think it’s a great idea and if done correctly can really work out for both the homeowner and the nonprofit:
http://winahouseraffles.com/blog/organizing-house-raffles/30-house-raffle-brings-charity-back-into-profit.html

]]> By: Chantel http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-29202 Chantel Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:22:37 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-29202 Just curious where does it say that in the USA it is ilegal to use the internet to raffles houses? You can buy horse racing tickets through the internet also I've noticed that there are many npos with house raffles on the net. How can this be? Just curious where does it say that in the USA it is ilegal to use the internet to raffles houses? You can buy horse racing tickets through the internet also I’ve noticed that there are many npos with house raffles on the net. How can this be?

]]> By: Citizen Activist http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-27529 Citizen Activist Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:03:19 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-27529 The USA does not permit anyone, charity or individual, to conduct games of chance (raffles included) on the internet. Just because you see others breaking the law does not mean it's legal. If you get caught, it's a felony and prison for you. Still want to take that chance? The USA does not permit anyone, charity or individual, to conduct games of chance (raffles included) on the internet. Just because you see others breaking the law does not mean it’s legal. If you get caught, it’s a felony and prison for you. Still want to take that chance?

]]> By: Win a House http://www.stepbystepfundraising.com/house-raffles/comment-page-1/#comment-26276 Win a House Wed, 13 May 2009 23:13:43 +0000 http://stepbystepfundraising.com/?p=933#comment-26276 Hi Sandra, Thank you for raising some very interesting points, in particular some of the issues surrounding the involvement of non-profit organisations and the desirability of the property prize. As Will highlights in his post, UK law draws a similar distinction between games of chance and prize competitions as many US states. In 2008/09, a number of UK homeowners appeared to rush into organising house competitions on the back of one particularly successful Devon property contest, which attracted some 46,000 entries and closed two months early. Unfortunately, just like the Oldborough Retreat Devon competition, many were halted due to concerns expressed by the UK's Gambling Commission as to their legality. We feature a range of house raffles and competitions on our site; offering players the chance of winning properties across different countries. Most house competitions launched recently in the UK have tended to be structured as skill-based prize competitions (such as Spot the Ball competitions, Sudoku contests and quizzes). However, we continue to see pure house raffles launched in other countries despite seemingly being run for profit. The mechanism Will describes, which involves players buying a voucher for some sort of service (ranging from hotel accommodation to a restaurant meal) tends to be associated predominantly with Spanish house competitions. Although house raffles may not suit everyone, depending on your contry or state they can be structured differently to satisfy legal requirements while remaining attractive to players. At present, the challenge of selling enough tickets in time, together with that of working with a reliable payment provider online; appear to be the two most common obstacles faced by competition organisers in Europe. Hi Sandra,

Thank you for raising some very interesting points, in particular some of the issues surrounding the involvement of non-profit organisations and the desirability of the property prize. As Will highlights in his post, UK law draws a similar distinction between games of chance and prize competitions as many US states.

In 2008/09, a number of UK homeowners appeared to rush into organising house competitions on the back of one particularly successful Devon property contest, which attracted some 46,000 entries and closed two months early. Unfortunately, just like the Oldborough Retreat Devon competition, many were halted due to concerns expressed by the UK’s Gambling Commission as to their legality.

We feature a range of house raffles and competitions on our site; offering players the chance of winning properties across different countries. Most house competitions launched recently in the UK have tended to be structured as skill-based prize competitions (such as Spot the Ball competitions, Sudoku contests and quizzes). However, we continue to see pure house raffles launched in other countries despite seemingly being run for profit.

The mechanism Will describes, which involves players buying a voucher for some sort of service (ranging from hotel accommodation to a restaurant meal) tends to be associated predominantly with Spanish house competitions.

Although house raffles may not suit everyone, depending on your contry or state they can be structured differently to satisfy legal requirements while remaining attractive to players. At present, the challenge of selling enough tickets in time, together with that of working with a reliable payment provider online; appear to be the two most common obstacles faced by competition organisers in Europe.

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