1. Licensing Requirement:
- Organizations conducting a raffle must obtain a Raffle License from the Florida Division of Consumer Services, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Churches and religious organizations are exempted from this requirement.
2. Registration:
- Raffles must be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Specific information, such as the name and address of the organization, the date and location of the raffle, the number of tickets to be sold, and the value of the prize, must be provided during the registration process.
3. Ticket Sales and Distribution:
- Only raffle tickets purchased from the registered organization or its authorized agents are valid.
- Each raffle ticket must be consecutively numbered and contain the name and address of the organization, the date and location of the raffle, and the prize's description.
4. Proceeds:
- Raffle proceeds must be used for lawful purposes, such as charitable, educational, religious, or civic purposes.
- A percentage of the proceeds may be retained for administrative expenses, but the law requires organizations to disclose this percentage during registration.
5. Drawing and Winner Selection:
- The raffle drawing must take place on the date and at the location specified in the registration.
- The winner's name and contact information must be announced publicly during the drawing.
6. Prize Delivery:
- The winner must be notified within a reasonable time after the drawing.
- The prize must be delivered to the winner within a specified timeframe, typically 60 days.
7. Reporting and Records:
- The organization must maintain accurate records related to the raffle, including ticket sales, expenses, and the final disposition of the prize.
- A financial statement outlining the total receipts, expenses, and the amount of net proceeds must be filed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services within 90 days after the raffle.
8. Prohibited Practices:
- It is illegal to sell raffle tickets to anyone under the age of 18.
- Organizations cannot conduct a raffle with the sole purpose of raising funds for political purposes.
For more detailed information, it's advisable to refer to the Florida Statutes, Chapter 849.
