New South Wales
Raffle rules for NSW — the $30,000 line, prize rules, and where the money must go.
In NSW, raffles are covered by the Community Gaming Regulation 2020, overseen by Liquor & Gaming NSW. The number to remember in NSW is $30,000 — it shows up in a few places.
Who can run one
A raffle must be run by, or on behalf of, a non-profit or charitable organisation. If you're raising funds for a benefiting organisation, they must authorise the raffle in writing.
When you need an authority (permit)
- Total prizes $30,000 or less → no permit needed (run under the standard conditions).
- Total prizes over $30,000 → you must run it as an authorised art union and hold an authority from Liquor & Gaming NSW.
Prize rules worth knowing
- Cash prizes are capped at $30,000. 🔴 (Hard limit.)
- Monetary prizes over $5,000 must be paid by electronic transfer if the winner asks — not handed over as cash.
- Prohibited prizes: tobacco, smoking and vaping products; cosmetic surgery; and anything that would breach another law (firearms and the like).
- Liquor is allowed within volume limits and never to under-18s.
- Real-estate prizes are allowed but heavily conditioned (insurance, upkeep, proper transfer).
Where the money goes
NSW sets a floor on how much must reach the cause: a standard raffle must pass at least 40% of gross proceeds to the benefiting organisation (an authorised art union, at least 30%). Allowable deductions are a fixed list — printing, advertising, venue/equipment hire, prizes, audit, and limited wages.
The draw and records
- Each ticket must have a fair, equal chance; the draw must be random.
- For authorised raffles, the draw is supervised by an independent person.
- Buyer names and contact details are recorded.
- Records are kept (for authorised raffles, 7 years); takings banked within 2 business days; an annual audit applies if gross proceeds top $250,000 in a year.
What RaffleLink does
As you build a NSW raffle, RaffleLink checks the prize pool against the $30,000 lines, enforces the cash cap, flags when you've crossed into authority territory, and excludes prohibited prizes.
The official source
Liquor & Gaming NSW is the authority on NSW raffles — liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au. Figures here reflect the Community Gaming Regulation 2020; confirm current thresholds with the regulator before relying on them.