Raffle games: 9 fun ways to boost your fundraiser

Looking to boost your fundraising efforts with a bit of excitement? Raffle games are a fun and effective way to engage your community, add a thrill to your fundraising event, and maximize your fundraising potential.

Whether you're raising funds for a school, charity, or community project, our list of nine creative raffle games will inspire you and help you reach your fundraising goals. Dive in to discover creative raffle ideas to raise money–captivate your audience and make your fundraising event a memorable success!

1. Build a wall of wine 🍷

Want a way to liven up any raffle? Wine makes the ideal raffle prize! With this simple raffle idea, your guests bring a bottle of wine each. Everyone gets to go home with a different bottle, keeping things fun and affordable. Consider adding a few non-alcoholic wines to make it more inclusive. 

🎬 See it in action: Have supporters donate bottles of wine from different price points and wine regions. Place a sticker with a raffle ticket number on the bottom of each bottle. Whichever supporter buys that ticket will win the respective bottle of wine. Cheers! 

💛 Best for: Nonprofits on a budget

2. Play bingo 🎉

Note: Sometimes bingo qualifies as online gambling, so be sure to check your state laws before hosting a bingo night (more on this below).

There are many ways to transform crowd-favorite bingo into a raffle game. Each ticket purchased will be good for one bingo card (i.e., additional ticket purchases will increase the chance of winning). Typically, supporters win by getting five squares across, vertically or diagonally.

🌶️ Spice things up: If your attendees won’t know each other well, consider an “ice breaker” bingo card. Your bingo squares could include “Welcome someone who’s brand new to our organization,” “Find a board member,” or “Meet someone who’s volunteered with us in the last few years.” These prompts work best if you know your attendees well. 

💛 Best for: Small-scale events and nonprofits 

3. Host a 50/50 raffle 🎫

One easy way to boost ticket sales is to incentivize your supporters with a 50/50 raffle. This means your nonprofit organization will keep half of the proceeds, while one lucky supporter will take the other half. If 50% feels too much, consider offering 25% or 30% instead. 

🎬 See it in action: If your organization sells $500 worth of raffle tickets, then the lucky raffle winner gets to keep $250. The remaining $250 will go to your organization.

💛 Best for: Events for recurring donors or committed supporters

4. Create a board game night 🎲

Host a game raffle to raise the stakes and connect with your supporters. Make a traditional raffle more interactive by combining it with various party games.

🎬 See it in action: If you host a Scrabble tournament, purchasing one raffle ticket gives a player a sneak peek at a dictionary. Or, if you're playing Monopoly, two raffle tickets let you purchase a piece of property. 

💛 Best for: Smaller nonprofits or limited-ticket events 

5. Plan a hidden reveal 🎩

Looking to add a little mystery? Collaborate with local restaurants, bars, or shops. Either purchase the gift certificates or ask businesses if they’d be willing to make a gift card donation. Put each gift card in a plain envelope and use them as secret prizes for your raffle winners. 

🌶️ Spice things up: Instead of using just an envelope, hide your gift cards in mason jars, champagne flutes, or a potted plant. Ask your raffle winners to choose which they’d like to take home. 

💛 Best for: Nonprofits with local business or community ties

6. Go for double-or-nothing 🙅

Increase the number of raffle tickets purchased with this double-or-nothing raffle game idea. After drawing a raffle ticket, ask the winner if they'd like to go "double or nothing" with the purchase of an additional ticket. 

🎬 See it in action: If the supporter purchases an additional ticket, they'll enter a game of chance (such as drawing a card or flipping a coin). If they win, they get to choose a second raffle prize. However, if they lose, the raffle item goes back to the organization to be raffled off to another supporter.

💛 Best for: High-ticket fundraisers and nonprofits with corporate sponsors

7. Host a reverse raffle 🏆

Want to make your raffle an evening-long extravaganza? With a reverse raffle, you'll announce smaller prizes first and save the grand prize for last. This works to keep supporters engaged in your event from beginning to end. Plus, it gives more time for excitement to build and for attendees to make additional raffle ticket purchases. 

🎬 See it in action: If your grand prize is truly special—like a giveaway for a romantic weekend for two in Aspen—announcing the winner last will ensure attendees stay for the entire event.

💛 Best for: An evening or day-long fundraising gala

More to explore

Be inspired with the best raffle ticket prize ideas for every budget →

8. Create a gift basket

Ask supporters or corporate sponsors to donate several different gift baskets. Present the gift baskets so attendees can see some (but not all!) of the goodies inside. Add a small raffle box in front of each gift basket. Have ticket purchasers place their tickets in the raffle box in front of the gift basket they’d most like to win. 

🌶️ Spice things up: The best basket raffle ideas are often themed. For example, your themed baskets could include a “cozy night in,” “self-care,” or products from a particular store. 

💛 Best for: Nonprofits with corporate sponsors or large-scale fundraising events

9. Launch a peer-to-peer fundraiser 👯

Lastly, leverage your raffle to start a peer-to-peer fundraiser among your loyal supporters. Instead of selling tickets for a set dollar amount, you can offer additional tickets in exchange for free publicity. 

In general, peer-to-peer fundraising is a highly effective way to increase fundraising revenue. In fact, peer-to-peer fundraising averages a 71% success rate compared to 22% for direct gift appeals. 

🎬 See it in action: Offer an additional raffle ticket if a supporter shares the event on their social media account, brings two (or more) guests to your event, or gets five new supporters to sign up for your email list. 

🌶️ Spice things up: Make your peer-to-peer fundraiser tiered. For example, supporters may receive one extra raffle ticket if they bring a plus-one or five raffle tickets for two or more additional guests. Or, raising over $30 might earn five extra raffle tickets. Create a clear, peer-to-peer raffle “menu” so your supporters can see what they’re working toward. 

💛 Best for: Organizations with a large support base 

Before you start: know your state laws for raffle games

Please note: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. 

State laws for online raffles

Many states have anti-gambling laws but make exceptions for nonprofit raffles. However, several states—including Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia—prohibit online raffles (i.e., you can’t sell raffle tickets on the internet). 

In Utah, all raffles are prohibited, not just those conducted online. Additionally, some states have strict laws about how raffle tickets can be sold. In Montana, for instance, you cannot purchase raffle tickets with a credit card.

Raffle IRS reporting

Even if your state allows you to host a raffle fundraising event, there will likely be some paperwork to deal with beforehand. The IRS has strict reporting requirements for raffle prizes, which will need to be communicated to prize donors and raffle winners alike. In addition, you'll need to navigate the gambling laws in your state. 

Charitable games licensing for raffles

In some states, a license is required to fundraise using a raffle. For example, in Washington, DC, you need to apply for a Charitable Games License, show proof of federal tax exemption, and be in good standing with the DC Consumer & Regulatory Affairs office. In Iowa, you need to apply for a Charitable Gambling License, pay a fee (of up to $150), and have your application approved at least 30 days prior to your event.

Next steps for hosting a raffle

Long story short, hire an attorney to help you navigate the gambling laws in your state before planning your raffle. If you don't have the budget to seek legal advice or the process feels overwhelming, don’t worry—there are plenty of other great fundraising ideas to explore. (Spoiler alert: The Butter Blog is stacked with fun and effective fundraising strategies!)

Dive deeper

Fundraising ideas for every organization and budget →

How to increase participation in raffle games

You’ve chosen the type of raffle you want to host, and you’ve even secured some great raffle prizes. But how can you boost supporter engagement to ensure your raffle is a fundraising success? 

Follow these tried and tested strategies to increase raffle participation: 

• Choose the right raffle 🎟️ As mentioned above, there are various types of raffles. Experiment to see which one resonates with your nonprofit and supporters. 
• Make prizes relevant 🎁 Use donor segmentation software to analyze your supporters' demographics. Then, carefully plan your raffle prize ideas based on what your support base is likely to get excited about. 
• Get supporters excited 😊 Build anticipation ahead of your raffle day by offering sneak previews of the prizes. Encourage your supporters to guess what the prizes might be in the comments sections of social media posts to create buzz. 
• Share your goals 🎯 Remember why you’re hosting a raffle—if you have a specific fundraising goal, share it! Transparency is key for great donor stewardship, and your supporters will want to see how their contributions are making a difference. 
• Price tickets wisely 💵 Base your ticket pricing on the value of your prizes, keeping them affordable for your supporters. Raffle tickets are commonly priced between $1 and $10. 
• Invite guest speakers 🗣️ Encourage supporters to attend your raffle by offering more than just the chance to win a prize. Invite experts on your mission to share their knowledge during your event. 

Build excitement for your cause with raffle games

Hosting a charitable raffle is a fun and effective way to raise funds for your cause. But make sure to check your state’s gambling laws before you start planning.

Even for nonprofits, gambling laws can be quite prohibitive when it comes to hosting raffles. We recommend partnering with a knowledgeable attorney to help guide you through the process. Once you have the legal green light, you can apply for any special licenses or fill out a charitable gaming application, then start planning your event!

Looking for an easy way to manage your fundraiser? Sign up for a free Givebutter account today to set your raffle up for success.

FAQs: Top questions on raffle game ideas 

What are the best basket party raffle ideas? 

Looking for raffle basket ideas? The most successful baskets are centered on a particular theme. Some great gift basket ideas include a cooking basket, spa day, beach day, pet care, wine, or gardening. Bonus points if one of your baskets ties into your mission. 

How can I make my raffle more interesting? 

Add a twist with hidden reveals, 50/50 raffles, themed baskets, or a double-or-nothing option to give your raffle a little extra pizzazz. 

What kind of raffle makes the most money? 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for which type of raffle will make the most money, but hosting an online raffle is a great way to broaden your reach. In fact, 47% of donors support nonprofits through online raffles. The most successful raffle for your organization will depend on your mission and audience. 

What are good game raffle ideas? 

Gamify your raffle with a 50/50 raffle, a reverse raffle, or a mystery raffle where supporters don’t know which prize they’ll receive. Incorporating well-known games like bingo or scrabble is another great way to liven things up.