Ask Reggi Your Question Now
Can I offer contests that involve a single game or event in California? What are the requirements?
Yes, you can offer contests that involve a single game or event in California, but you need to comply with the state’s regulations on raffles and contests. According to 11 CACR Section 2096, no more than one raffle drawing shall be conducted during a registered event. Raffle ticket sales may take place only during a home game, and raffle tickets shall not be sold in any seating area designated as a family section. Raffle tickets shall be sold only in areas where an event ticket is required for admission to view the game or sporting event. Raffle tickets may not be sold in advance of the registered event.
To register the raffle as a registered event, an eligible organization must submit a completed Major League Sports Raffle Eligible Organization Registered Event Registration Form to the Bureau and remit the required non-refundable fee of $200 per registered event. Every eligible organization must also submit a map of the event location, identifying any family section; the locations where direct sellers will be conducting sales at the registered event; the locations of affiliated person-attended kiosks; the location where count and reconciliation functions will be performed; the location where raffle system management functions will be performed; and the location where the manual draw will be conducted.
An eligible organization must have the fiduciary of the organization as listed on its registration application to the Bureau on site or designate one affiliated person within its organization to oversee a registered event. An eligible organization must have on site prior to, throughout, and to the conclusion of a registered event, a sufficient number of trained affiliated persons to competently fulfill the functions of raffle ticket sales, count and reconciliation, and raffle system management.
All sales of raffle tickets are final; no refunds shall be made under any circumstance. No person employed by or affiliated with the eligible organization, affiliated sports team or affiliated association holding the registered event, or the eligible recipient organization benefitting from the registered event, or the registered manufacturer and distributor of raffle-related products or services whose products or services are used during the registered event, may participate in any registered event as a raffle player or receive a raffle prize.
If you are planning to offer contests that involve a single game or event in California, you need to comply with the above regulations [1.2].
Source(s):
Jurisdiction
California