Online Raffles vs. Offline Raffles: When to Use Each
Online raffles give you the tools to maximize your fundraiser’s success. In some jurisdictions, though, you may not be able to host raffles that are fully digital. Ticket sales and the draw itself may need to go offline.
How does that work? Are there ways to use digital platforms even when you need to sell physical tickets? Here, we’ll explore the difference between offline and online raffles and how you can use both.
Key Takeaways
- Online raffles simplify fundraising with digital ticket sales and draws, but some areas require physical tickets and manual draws.
- Online raffles are great when allowed, providing easy promotion and winner selection.
- Offline raffles sell physical tickets with manual draws, but can still use online tools for promotion and payments.
- Choosing between online and offline raffles depends on local regulations and tools for boosting ticket sales.
What Is the Difference Between Online & Offline Raffles?
Some jurisdictions do not allow raffle tickets to be sold digitally or for prize winners to be determined by a random number generator (RNG). This is when offline raffles come into play. You can still use an online platform like Raffle Rocket to create a custom raffle page that highlights prizes and serves as an online store for your organization.
The main difference is that organizers will need to maintain physical tickets as they sell them, and the draw will be made manually. Everything else can be done online, although it’s important to verify your local gaming authority’s rules and regulations.
When to Run an Online Raffle
Running an online raffle makes the entire process easier from start to finish. There are 3 main types of raffles, and in many jurisdictions, they can be run entirely online, allowing for ticket sales, promotion, and the draw itself to be done online. With a digital platform like Raffle Rocket, you can run:
- A 50/50 Raffle, where winners take home half of the money you raise from ticket sales
- A non-cash prize raffle, where participants buy tickets for the chance to bring home amazing prizes like trips, sports memorabilia, or baskets of goodies to name a few popular examples.
- Cash-prize raffles, where a lump sum is available for the winner to take home.
Running an online raffle lets you set up a home page for your draw so anyone considering participating can browse the available prizes, check your raffle license, and buy tickets that are emailed directly to them. You can promote your raffle through social media or with a printed QR code that can be included on posters, and the draw is conducted by a random number generator.
The beauty of online raffles lies in their simplicity. Once you’ve acquired a license, Raffle Rocket’s intuitive setup makes it easy to organize, promote, and run your online raffle.
When Are Online Raffles Best?
As long as your jurisdiction allows you to sell tickets online, email them directly to purchasers, and use a random number generator to pick winners, online raffles are always a great fundraising tool for non-profits, charities, and religious organizations.
The ease of use alone makes online raffles a straightforward choice, and the fact that you don’t need to keep track of physical tickets makes them an easy choice.
When to Run an Offline Raffle
Running an offline raffle doesn’t mean everything has to be done in person and nothing online. In fact, using digital tools can be incredibly beneficial for offline raffles, even when the tickets you sell are physical, and the winner is drawn manually.
The choice to run an offline raffle will almost always come down to whether running an online raffle is legally allowed in your state or province. Because raffles are classified as gaming, rules can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and they are heavily regulated.
Some areas may require that you sell physical tickets and manually draw winners, but you can still use digital platforms like Raffle Rocket for its other tools and features. Here’s how that would look:
- Run an online storefront: In most jurisdictions, you can still advertise your raffle online and even take ticket orders and credit card payments through a PCI-compliant platform.
- Tickets aren’t purely digital: Some jurisdictions don’t allow tickets to be distributed solely by email to purchasers. They may need to be mailed or handed directly to them when they purchase in person.
- No RNG: In jurisdictions where using a random number generator isn’t allowed, you’ll need to do a manual draw.
- Managing physical ticket stock: Like a traditional raffle, administrators keep a set of numbered tickets. In offline draws, the system will sell from that stock in sequence to avoid duplicates. You then pull sold, physical tickets and put them into the draw drum for the manual draw.
Remember, the term “offline raffle” doesn’t mean that everything is done offline. It just means that there are physical tickets, and the draw is done manually. Many parts of the sales, payments, and communications process can still happen online if your local authorities allow for it.
When Are Offline Raffles Best?
Running an offline raffle means selling physical tickets and drawing winners manually. In jurisdictions where that is required, using a digital platform will still make promotion and organization easier, and that alone should see you sell more tickets and raise more than a traditional paper raffle.
Can You Run a Hybrid Online/Offline Raffle?
The choice of whether to run an offline or online raffle will likely come down to what is allowed in your province or state and what your local gaming authority allows. It’s worth noting that there are many situations where you can host a hybrid raffle that includes elements of both online and offline raffles.
A hybrid raffle would be especially useful when your raffle is tied to another fundraising event, such as a golf tournament or a gala. Raffle Rocket has a section specifically for “Offline Orders,” where administrators can add the buyer’s information, and your raffle page will update to reflect the new ticket total.
Host Your Next Raffle with Raffle Rocket—Online or Offline!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to boost your fundraising efforts! Hosting an online raffle is an incredible way for eligible organizations to achieve their goals with ease. While traditional offline raffles still effectively raise funds, Raffle Rocket‘s digital platform can enhance your reach and streamline the organization process.
Take the leap—ignite your fundraising potential and start your next raffle today!
FAQ
Who can run a raffle?
In many Canadian provinces and American states, raffles can be run by religious organizations, charities, and non-profits. It’s important to check with your local gaming authority to see if you are allowed to run a raffle and what licensing is required.
How many tickets can I issue?
With Raffle Rocket, you can sell up to 2 million dollars in tickets per raffle. The number of tickets you can sell is often outlined in your raffle license.
Are online raffles legal?
Yes, online raffles can be legal, but their legality varies by jurisdiction. It’s important to check local laws and regulations regarding gambling and promotions before conducting or participating in an online raffle.
Start setting up your own online raffle fundraiser!
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