Introduction

Florida’s nonprofit community runs on generosity, but before you sell a single raffle ticket, there’s one essential step—registering your organization properly. Florida has some of the strictest charitable gaming and solicitation laws in the nation. The good news is that getting registered and compliant is straightforward once you know the process.

This guide walks Florida nonprofits through every requirement under Florida Statute §849.0935 and explains how RaffleGives, the best online raffle platform for nonprofits, automates compliance, disclosures, and secure ticketing so you can fundraise confidently.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility to Hold a Raffle

Under Florida law, only certain nonprofits can legally conduct a “drawing by chance.” We have written a more in-depth article on the Florida law which can be read here. To qualify, your organization must:

• Be recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization.
• Be registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under the Solicitation of Contributions Act.
• Conduct the raffle solely for charitable, educational, civic, or religious purposes.

You can verify your current registration or start the process online through the FDACS Registration Portal. Registration must be renewed annually to remain active.

Step 2: Understand the Key Requirements Under Florida Law

Florida Statute §849.0935 defines raffles (or “game promotions”) and outlines strict conditions for compliance. Here are the most important:

1. No purchase necessary. Every raffle must include a free method of entry.
2. All rules and disclosures must be published before ticket sales begin.
3. Winners must be chosen randomly and prizes distributed as advertised.
4. All funds raised must support charitable purposes—not individuals or for-profit ventures.
5. All records must be kept for at least 90 days after the prize drawing.

RaffleGives integrates these requirements automatically, with built-in “no purchase necessary” forms, published disclosures, and digital records accessible at any time.

Step 3: Complete FDACS Registration

Every charitable organization soliciting funds in Florida must file an application with FDACS before launching a fundraising campaign—including raffles. You’ll need to provide:

• IRS determination letter confirming your 501(c)(3) status.
• Most recent financial statement or IRS Form 990.
• Principal officer contact details.
• Description of fundraising methods, including raffle details.
• Application fee (based on gross contributions raised annually).

Once submitted, FDACS will issue your organization a registration number, which must appear on all promotional materials and your RaffleGives campaign page.

Step 4: Publish Your Raffle Rules and Disclosures

Florida requires every raffle to publicly display its rules before ticket sales begin. Your disclosure should include:

• The name and address of the sponsoring nonprofit.
• The start and end dates of the raffle.
• The drawing date and location.
• The method for selecting winners.
• The odds of winning.
• How to enter without purchase.

When you create a raffle on RaffleGives, all of these elements are automatically generated and formatted on your raffle’s campaign page. This ensures your organization’s disclosures meet every FDACS expectation.

Step 5: Promote Responsibly

Marketing your raffle is where compliance and creativity intersect. Florida law allows nonprofits to advertise raffles across email, social media, and websites, but your materials must always:

• Include your FDACS registration number.
• State that “No purchase or contribution is necessary to enter or win.”
• Clearly describe the prize and eligibility requirements.
• Avoid language implying guaranteed winnings or gambling.

RaffleGives provides compliant, ready-to-use templates for email and social promotion that automatically include required disclosures and links to your raffle page. For additional reading on marketing of your online raffle check out these articles: Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Digital Marketing, and our Ultimate Guide.

Step 6: Conduct a Fair and Random Drawing

The heart of every legal raffle is fairness. Florida requires that winners be chosen at random and prizes awarded as stated in the official rules. RaffleGives handles this automatically using secure randomization algorithms. Every drawing is:

• Timestamped and verifiable.
• Logged in the nonprofit’s admin dashboard.
• Backed by a full audit trail to demonstrate compliance.

This ensures your raffle is transparent, unbiased, and fully aligned with state law.

Step 7: Maintain Post-Raffle Records

Within 90 days of your raffle’s end, Florida law requires nonprofits to maintain and, if requested, produce:

• A list of all winners.
• Dates and methods of prize distribution.
• Complete financial accounting of proceeds and expenses.

RaffleGives archives these automatically. Each raffle produces a downloadable compliance report for your records and FDACS filing reference.

Step 8: Renew Annually and Plan Ahead

Your FDACS registration must be renewed each year. When planning future raffles, it’s smart to:

• Begin renewal 60 days before expiration.
• Review FDACS updates to the Solicitation of Contributions Act.
• Maintain consistent disclosure templates to streamline future compliance.

RaffleGives stores your registration info, templates, and past campaigns so each renewal becomes faster and easier.

Common Mistakes Florida Nonprofits Make

Even seasoned nonprofits can run into trouble. Avoid these pitfalls:

1. Forgetting to display your FDACS registration number on materials.
2. Omitting a “no purchase necessary” entry method.
3. Using vague or incomplete raffle disclosures.
4. Failing to document winners and payout records.
5. Running raffles before registration approval.

Every one of these risks is eliminated automatically by RaffleGives’ platform architecture.

Final Thoughts

Registering a raffle in Florida doesn’t need to feel daunting. Once you understand the process—and use tools designed for compliance—you can confidently fundraise online and reach more supporters than ever before. RaffleGives simplifies every step, from disclosure formatting to random drawings, ensuring Florida nonprofits can raise funds legally, securely, and effectively.

👉 Visit RaffleGives.com to launch your next Florida raffle today.