“This was a coordinated effort between local law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office that resulted in bringing down an enterprise that was attempting to skirt the Utah gambling laws.” “A. Raffles and games of chance are considered gambling, which is prohibited in Tennessee. However, certain charitable organizations are allowed to apply to have one raffle, reverse raffle, cakewalk or cakewheel each year if that event is conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Tennessee Charitable Gaming Implementation Law. Charitable or nonprofit organizations may conduct raffles. Organization must have been in existence in the state for at least three years. At least 65% of all gross sales shall be redeemed as winnings each month. At least 75% of the net profits. Utah does not permit any forms of gambling under state law. The Utah Constitution states that the, “Legislature shall not authorize any game of chance, lottery or gift enterprise under any pretense or for any purpose. It is possible to conduct most sweepstakes, contests and giveaways without violating anti-gambling laws. Some states, like Utah, specifically exempt promotional activities that are “clearly ancillary to the.

Can our PTA have a savings account and how much can we have in it?

Many financial institutions require a minimum amount in a savings account to hold a checking account at their institution. This is perfectly acceptable. The amount and any interest should be shown as part of the budget on a separate line.

Any amount is acceptable to have in the account and if a PTA would like to build up their reserve, in case of a bad fundraising year, the reserve can be put into a savings account and used the next year.

There is no need for a PTA to have more than one fiscal year’s budget in their reserve and if that is starting to occur, fundraising efforts should be scaled back. There is no reason to continue to raise money just to raise money. PTAs raise funds to exist; PTAs do not exist to raise funds.

The other risk in having so much money is that your school will start to request more and more money from the PTA. PTA funds are to be primarily used for PTA programs. There are opportunities, however, for a PTA to grant money to a school, but again, this is not the main purpose for the PTA. If you have enough money in your accounts to run your PTA programs, then don’t try to continue to raise money.

PTAs CAN use their wonderful volunteer efforts to help raise money for the school’s needs, but other than providing our amazing and powerful manpower efforts, the money should not ever be “run through” the PTA accounts.

Please see the Utah PTA Treasurer Handbook for more details.

Can our PTA do a Raffle?

The definition of a raffle is: a lottery in which each participant buys a chance or chances to win a prize. Chances are considered gambling in the state of Utah so the answer is No, your PTA can not hold a raffle.

PTAs can hold drawings for prizes. One example includes when a parent purchases a PTA membership, their name goes into a drawing. This means that they have purchased the rights to be a member and get discounts from PTA partners and such. Another example would be if there is a purchase involved and they receive something for that purchase, such as xx.xx amount in carnival tickets purchased; their name goes into a drawing.

PTAs need to stay as far away from the gray area as possible. We do not want a PTA to lose their tax-exempt status nor good standing with the Division of Consumer Protection for the state of Utah by holding a “raffle”.

If you have had a lot of items donated for a carnival or other event, consider doing a silent auction. This also brings in a good deal of money for PTAs that have participated in them.

Please see the Utah PTA Treasurer Handbook for more details.

Are raffles or other games of chance allowed in the State of Tennessee?
Raffles and games of chance are considered gambling, which is prohibited in Tennessee. However, certain charitable organizations are allowed to apply to have one raffle, reverse raffle, cakewalk or cakewheel each year if that event is conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Tennessee Charitable Gaming Implementation Law.

Who is allowed to hold a raffle?
Only a qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization that has submitted an application to the Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming and that has been approved by the Tennessee General Assembly can hold a raffle.

What is a qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization?
A qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization is a group that has been recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for at least five years as a tax-exempt organization and which has been in continuous and active existence in the State of Tennessee. 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) tax-exempt status can only be granted by the IRS. To learn more about the application process for tax-exempt status, please visit the IRS's web page for Charities & Nonprofits.

What types of gaming events are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations allowed to hold?
Raffles, reverse raffles, cakewalks, or cakewheels.

What is a raffle?
A raffle is a game of chance in which a participant is required to purchase a ticket for a chance to win a prize, with the winner to be determined by random drawing.

How do I know if a gaming event is approved?
The Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming maintains a list of approved events on its website at Gaming Events.

What gaming events are not allowed?
Bingo, poker games and/or tournaments, pulltabs, punchboards, video lottery games, instant and online lottery games, keno and games of chance associated with casinos including, but not limited to slot machines, roulette wheels, and the like. Events such as bingo or “casino nights” that are purely recreational in nature and in which participants are not required to pay to participate with the promise of a prize, jackpot, or “winner-takes-all” would not fall into this category.

What are the consequences for holding an unauthorized event?
If the Division of Charitable Solicitations is notified of an unapproved event, the Division will notify the local district attorney general. Conducting an unapproved game of chance may be a violation of the criminal gaming statute, and local law enforcement has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the individuals responsible for the event.

If I don’t call it a raffle or sell tickets, but ask for donations for a chance to win a prize, is that allowed?
No. An event is considered a raffle if someone must pay for a chance to win a prize and would be a violation of law. It does not matter that the payment is called a “donation.”

I am not raising money for a charity; I can conduct a raffle, right?
No. Only qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations that have applied and been approved are allowed to hold a raffle. Holding a raffle would be a violation of law and subject to criminal prosecution.

Are political candidates and campaigns allowed to conduct raffles or other games of chance?
No. The law only allows qualified 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations to hold gaming events. Political candidates and campaigns for public office are not considered 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax exempt organizations.

If the political candidate or campaign asks for a donation to be entered into a drawing, is that allowed?
No. If someone is required to pay for a chance to win a prize, it is considered a raffle. Only qualified and approved 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations may hold a raffle. It does not matter that the payment is called a “donation.”

State Of Illinois Raffle License

Whom do I contact if I find out about a game of chance that is not approved?
Please contact the district attorney for the county in which you believe the game of chance is taking place or contact the Division of Charitable Solicitations at (615) 741-2555 and the Division will notify the appropriate authorities.