Northern Territory Raffle Rules

Raffle Rules in the Northern Territory (Updated for 2024)

Raffles are a long-standing and popular way to raise funds for your favourite cause. In the Northern Territory (NT), raffles are regulated under the Gaming Control (Community Gaming) Regulations 2006. Here’s your guide to conducting compliant and successful raffles.

Permit Requirements

• No Permit Needed: If the total value of ticket sales or entry fees is $5,000 or less.
• Minor Lottery Permit: Required for raffles where ticket sales total between $5,001 and $20,000.
• Major Lottery Permit: Required for raffles where ticket sales exceed $20,000.

Becoming an Approved Association

To conduct any lottery, your organisation must:

• Be an approved association.
• The authorised member of your association is responsible for running the raffle and must notify a Territory Business Centre if they change.

Learn more about becoming an approved association here.

Preparing for Your Raffle

Before applying for a permit, you must:

1. Determine:
   • Ticket price, total tickets, rules, and conditions.
   • Method of the draw and how prizes will be awarded.
2. Organise:
   • Prizes, ticket printing, and promotional materials.
3. Submit:
   • Copies of promotional materials and tickets with your application.

Application Process

1. Application Form:
   • Download the Conduct a Minor or Major Lottery Form here or get a copy from a Territory Business Centre.
2. Attach Supporting Documents:
   • Include promotional materials and ticket designs.
3. Submit Application:
   • Applications must be submitted:
     • No earlier than 3 months before the raffle starts.
     • At least 14 days before the start date.
   • Submit via email, mail, or in person to a Territory Business Centre.

Processing time is approximately 10 days.

Rules and Conditions

Tickets

• Maximum Selling Period: 3 months.
• Required Information:
  • Terms and conditions clearly printed.
  • “Conditions Apply” label for restricted prizes (e.g., travel prizes).
• Retention:
  • Keep all sold and unsold tickets for 12 months.
• Refunds:
  • Unsold tickets excluded from the draw must be refunded within 60 days or submitted to the Community Benefit Fund.

Prizes

• Minimum Value: Total prize value must equal at least one-third of the total ticket sales.
• Prohibited Prizes:
  • Alcohol as the principal prize.
  • Firearms, weapons, ammunition, explosives, or tobacco products.
• Conditions:
  • Prizes must be displayed, where practicable, throughout ticket sales.
  • Prizes unclaimed for 3 months must be handed over to the Director of Gaming Control.
  • Any changes to prizes or draw details require approval from the Director of Gaming Control.

Drawing the Winners

• The draw must:
  • Occur on the specified date and as outlined in the terms and conditions.
  • Be conducted in the presence of two approved office bearers.
  • Ensure all prizes are awarded as offered.
• Ticket holders don’t need to be present to win.

Publishing Results

• Winner Announcements:
  • Publish the names of winners of prizes valued at $1,000 or more in a local newspaper within 14 days of the draw.

After the Lottery

• Submit the following to the Territory Business Centre within 2 months:
  • A financial statement for the lottery.
  • Evidence of winners receiving prizes.
  • Proof of profits (e.g., bank receipts).
  • Certified copies of expenditure receipts.
  • List of unsold tickets.
• Record-Keeping:
  • Minor lotteries: Keep records for 2 years.
  • Major lotteries: Keep records for 7 years.

Banking Proceeds

• Deposit proceeds into your organisation’s account as soon as possible.
• Refund unclaimed ticket sales or submit unrefunded amounts to the Community Benefit Fund.

Cancelling a Lottery or Raffle

If a lottery is cancelled:

• Refund ticket buyers within 60 days.
• Submit unrefunded amounts to the Community Benefit Fund.

Contact Licensing Northern Territory

For assistance or further information:

• Phone: 1800 193 111
• Email: territory.businesscentre@nt.gov.au
• Website: Lotteries and Community Gambling

By following these updated regulations, you can ensure a compliant and successful raffle.