Lucky Tickets

🍀 Feeling Lucky? Try Lucky Tickets for Fundraising Fun

Aussies love a flutter — so why not tap into that spirit of chance with lucky tickets at your next fundraising event?

Also known as lucky numbers, break-opens, pull-tabs or lucky envelopes, this simple game of chance is a great way to raise funds on the spot, without the admin hassle of raffles or silent auctions.

🎟 How Do Lucky Tickets Work?

It’s super simple:

• Players buy a ticket and tear it open, scratch it, or pull a tab to reveal a number.

• If their number matches one of the winning numbers on your display board - they win instantly.

• Prizes can be small but fun: chocolates, vouchers, toys, gift cards, or mystery bags.

Unlike raffles, there’s no need to chase winners afterwards or spend days sorting unclaimed prizes.

🧠 One fundraiser shared:
“At our fete, the fireworks were cancelled and half the crowd left early. We hadn’t drawn the cent auction yet - cue weeks of headaches tracking winners and sorting similar-looking prizes. Never again!”

✅ The Rules You Need to Know

Lucky tickets fall under gaming legislation, so you’ll need to follow your state or territory’s rules. While the details differ slightly, here are the common basics:

• 🎯 Your organisation must be a registered charity or community group.

• 📝 You’ll likely need a permit or licence to run lucky ticket games - check your local authority.

• 🖨️ Tickets must meet specific printing requirements (including how the winning numbers are determined).

• 🎁 You must declare the total prize pool and expected profit up front.

• 🚫 Some prizes are restricted or banned altogether - for example, no tobacco, firearms, or cosmetic procedures. Alcohol has limitations too.

💡 Tip: Always check with your state’s gaming authority before you print or sell tickets:

• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Tasmania
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Australian Capital Territory
• Northern Territory

💡 Why Lucky Tickets Work

• Fast, fun, and fuss-free

• No big announcements or scheduling required

• Low-cost prizes can keep profits high

• Instant winners = happy supporters

• Great for fetes, trivia nights, school discos, and markets

🎲 What Are the Odds?

Each state has its own rules around the minimum number of winning tickets in a series - so you’ll need to check what applies in your area. But as the organiser, you can tweak the odds to suit your event and make it more enticing for players.

One Fundraising Whisperer fan shared:
“We set it up so there was a 1 in 3 chance of winning. Most prizes were things we’d usually use in a cent auction - bracelets, stationery, sweets, small toys - and we added a few bigger prizes too. People loved it!”

Offering more chances to win can boost engagement, but don’t forget to crunch the numbers first. You’ll need to consider:

• 🎫 Ticket printing costs

• 🎁 The cost of prizes (try to get as many donated as possible!)

• 🧾 Any permit or licence fees

Ultimately, you want to strike a balance between fun odds and healthy profits. Done well, lucky tickets can be a crowd-pleaser and a solid earner.

Final Thoughts

Lucky tickets are a simple way to inject excitement into your fundraiser - no spreadsheets, no follow-up calls, and no fuss. Just prizes, fun, and a little bit of Lady Luck.

🎉 Got a creative prize idea or lucky ticket win? Share your photos and tips in our Fundraising Whisperer VIP Group!