CCSD Schools Rejoice: Nevada Law Allows Charitable Raffles

CCSD Schools Can Hold Raffles with RaffleGives

How Las Vegas schools may finally have access to a modern fundraising opportunity already permitted under Nevada law and CCSD policy

For years, many schools throughout the Clark County School District have operated under the belief that charitable raffles were prohibited. Booster clubs avoided them. PTOs and PTAs stayed away from them. School organizations often dismissed the idea before conversations even began.

But here is the good news for Las Vegas schools, student organizations, athletics programs, and parent groups: Nevada law now provides a lawful framework for charitable raffles, and CCSD’s own regulations expressly acknowledge that charitable lotteries and raffles are permitted when conducted in compliance with Nevada law.

That distinction matters.

This is not about bypassing rules or finding loopholes. It is about understanding how Nevada law evolved, how outdated assumptions created confusion, and how schools may now have another lawful fundraising opportunity available to support students, programs, and communities across Las Vegas.

At RaffleGives, this conversation is personal to us. While we are growing into a nationwide fundraising platform, Las Vegas is home. We care deeply about our schools, our teachers, our student athletes, our clubs, our arts programs, and the families working tirelessly to create opportunities for students in Southern Nevada.

Why Has There Been So Much Confusion Around School Raffles?

The confusion is understandable.

For decades, many school administrators relied on older interpretations of Nevada gaming laws and older district guidance that referenced Nevada Revised Statutes sections that no longer exist. In many cases, those interpretations were formed long before Nevada modernized its charitable raffle framework. The issue is not that principals or administrators were acting in bad faith. Most were simply relying on longstanding assumptions that had been repeated for years.

But Nevada law changed significantly.

In 2019, Nevada enacted and modernized charitable lottery regulations under Chapter 462 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. These statutes created a structured legal framework allowing qualified organizations to operate charitable lotteries under specific conditions. That modern framework is fundamentally different from the older assumptions many schools still reference today.

What Does CCSD Regulation 1223 Actually Say?

CCSD Regulation 1223 explicitly acknowledges that charitable lotteries and raffles may be conducted when operated in accordance with Nevada law.

The regulation states:

“Charitable lotteries and raffles shall be conducted in accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes.”

That language is important because it does not prohibit raffles outright. Instead, it points schools and organizations directly to Nevada law as the governing standard.

The challenge is that many schools continued relying on older interpretations developed before Nevada’s modern charitable raffle framework existed. Today, Nevada law now contains a dedicated charitable lottery structure under NRS Chapter 462. You can review the full Nevada statute here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-462.html And the current CCSD Regulation 1223 can be reviewed here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1757430144/ccsdnet/xrzlpqrgtx01ga5vm5ut/1223_R.pdf

What Changed in Nevada Law?

Nevada’s charitable lottery statutes now provide a modern regulatory structure for qualified organizations operating charitable raffles and lotteries.

One of the most important sections is NRS 462.140, which establishes the conditions under which a qualified organization may operate a charitable lottery. The statute states that a qualified organization may operate a charitable lottery if:

The organization is properly registered under Nevada law
The organization complies with applicable statutory requirements
Prize values remain within statutory limits

The law also allows qualified organizations to raise substantial funds through charitable lottery operations. Under NRS 462.140, qualified organizations may operate charitable lotteries with prize structures totaling up to $500,000 annually under the standard framework.

This is a dramatic shift from the assumptions many schools still operate under today. Rather than prohibiting charitable raffles entirely, Nevada now provides a defined pathway for lawful charitable fundraising activity.

Why This Matters for CCSD Schools

This conversation is bigger than raffles. This is about opportunities for students. Schools throughout Las Vegas continue facing fundraising pressure for:

athletics
band and orchestra programs
robotics teams
arts programs
field trips
classroom support
student clubs
teacher initiatives
graduation activities
PTO and PTA projects

Parents, volunteers, and educators consistently step up to bridge funding gaps through bake sales, sponsorship drives, coupon books, car washes, restaurant nights, and donation campaigns. Modern charitable raffles may now represent another lawful fundraising tool schools can explore under Nevada law and district regulations. For schools struggling to raise funds, that possibility matters.

Choosing the best raffle platform is also easier than it sounds. We've written an extensive guide to help schools, booster clubs, PTO's and PTA's that you can read here.

Why Digital Fundraising Matters in 2026

Fundraising has changed dramatically over the last decade. Families live on their phones. Communities engage digitally. Supporters share causes through social media, text messages, and email rather than relying entirely on paper flyers or in-person events.

That is why digital-first fundraising is becoming increasingly important for nonprofits and school organizations nationwide. A well-run charitable raffle allows supporters to participate quickly, share easily, and contribute without the operational burden of traditional product fundraising. At the same time, transparency matters more than ever. Modern fundraising platforms provide visibility into participation, prize structures, and fundraising progress in ways older methods never could.

Las Vegas Is Home

At RaffleGives, we believe Las Vegas schools deserve access to every lawful fundraising opportunity available to support students and programs. This city has given so much to us. Our families live here. Our children go to school here. Our community relationships were built here. While RaffleGives is expanding nationwide, Las Vegas remains home.

That is why we believe it is important to clarify what Nevada law actually says and help schools understand that modern charitable raffle frameworks now exist under state law. This is not about pressuring schools into fundraising programs they are uncomfortable with. It is about ensuring administrators, booster clubs, PTOs, PTAs, coaches, and parents have accurate information available when evaluating fundraising opportunities.

Schools Should Still Operate Carefully and Transparently

Every school organization should work closely with district leadership, administrators, and legal counsel when evaluating fundraising initiatives. Compliance matters. Transparency matters. Responsible fundraising matters.

The goal is not to bypass oversight. The goal is to operate within the framework Nevada law already provides. Schools considering charitable raffles should ensure they:

understand Nevada statutory requirements
maintain proper oversight
operate transparently
follow district procedures
work collaboratively with leadership

When done correctly, charitable raffles can become another responsible tool supporting students and educational programs throughout Southern Nevada.

Final Thoughts

For years, many CCSD schools operated under the assumption that charitable raffles were prohibited entirely. But Nevada law has changed, and CCSD’s own regulations now point directly back to Nevada statutes governing charitable raffles and lotteries.

That does not mean schools should act recklessly or ignore compliance requirements. It means schools may finally have another lawful fundraising opportunity available to support students, programs, and communities throughout Las Vegas.

And for a city filled with hardworking educators, volunteers, parents, and students doing everything they can to create opportunities, that is something worth celebrating.