Ohio Raffle Laws: Are Online and 50/50 Raffles Legal for Nonprofits in 2026?
Learn Ohio raffle laws for nonprofits, including eligibility, raffle licensing, 50/50 raffles, online ticket sales, recordkeeping, and Ohio's pending online raffle legislation.
Ohio Raffle Laws: Are Online and 50/50 Raffles Legal for Nonprofits in 2026?
Quick Answer
Yes, qualifying nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations can legally conduct raffles in Ohio, and eligible organizations generally do not need a bingo license simply to conduct a qualifying nonprofit raffle. Ohio law expressly authorizes raffles for 501(c)(3) organizations, several other categories of federally tax-exempt organizations, and certain schools.
The important restriction in 2026 involves online raffles.
As of September 16, 2026, Ohio does not broadly authorize nonprofits to conduct fully online raffles. The Ohio Attorney General specifically warns that many online raffle tools are not legal under current Ohio law. Ohio's statutory definition of a raffle still requires winners to be determined by drawing ticket stubs or detachable ticket sections from a physical receptacle containing the corresponding entries.
Ohio lawmakers are actively considering legislation that would change this. House Bill 476 passed the Ohio House and is designed specifically to authorize online raffle sales and create a regulatory framework for online raffles. As of this article's publication, however, the bill has not become law.
For nonprofits considering digital raffle fundraising in Ohio, that distinction is critical.
Ohio Raffle Laws at a Glance
Question | Current Ohio Rule |
Are nonprofit raffles legal? | Yes, for qualifying organizations |
Is a raffle license generally required? | No, for organizations authorized under R.C. 2915.092 |
Can 501(c)(3) organizations conduct raffles? | Yes |
Can certain schools conduct raffles? | Yes |
Can other tax-exempt organizations conduct raffles? | Yes, certain 501(c) categories qualify |
Are fully online raffles currently authorized? | No, not under the current statutory framework |
Can software randomly select the winner online? | No under current law |
Are cash/50/50 raffles expressly prohibited? | Ohio's general raffle statute does not impose a merchandise-only prize requirement, but the raffle must satisfy Ohio's statutory structure |
Must raffle records be maintained? | Yes, generally for at least three years |
Is Ohio considering online-raffle legislation? | Yes, H.B. 476 would establish an online-raffle framework if enacted |
Ohio's rules are unusual because the state is relatively permissive about who can conduct a traditional raffle and whether a separate raffle license is necessary, while remaining restrictive about moving the raffle itself online.
RaffleGives Compliance Tip
Do not confuse advertising a raffle online with conducting the raffle online.
Ohio's current raffle definition is built around tickets with corresponding detachable sections and a winner selected from a physical receptacle. A website, Facebook post, email campaign, or QR code may help an organization promote a fundraiser, but that does not automatically make online ticket checkout, electronic entries, or digital winner selection lawful.
Ohio is actively considering legislation to modernize these rules, which makes checking the law immediately before launching especially important in 2026.
Are Raffles Legal in Ohio?
Yes.
Ohio Revised Code Section 2915.092 authorizes certain organizations to conduct raffles that are not for profit. Unlike charitable bingo, qualifying organizations do not need to obtain a bingo license solely to conduct an authorized raffle.
Ohio law defines a "raffle" as a form of bingo in which one or more prizes are won by people who purchased raffle tickets. Under the current definition, winners are determined by drawing a ticket stub or other detachable section from a receptacle containing the corresponding sections for all raffle tickets sold.
That definition becomes extremely important when discussing online fundraising because it establishes a physical-ticket and physical-drawing structure for a legal Ohio raffle.
Which Organizations Can Conduct Raffles in Ohio?
Ohio's raffle statute identifies several categories of eligible organizations.
A traditional 501(c)(3) charitable organization can conduct a qualifying raffle. Ohio also permits certain organizations exempt under Sections 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10), and 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code to conduct raffles.
That can include, depending on the organization's federal classification and circumstances, social-welfare organizations, chambers or business leagues, social clubs, fraternal organizations, and veterans organizations.
Ohio also expressly authorizes certain educational organizations, including school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools. The version of R.C. 2915.092 currently in effect also includes college-preparatory boarding schools. A statutory amendment taking effect October 9, 2026 removes that category as part of broader changes to Ohio education law, while leaving the basic raffle framework intact.
Eligibility should therefore be confirmed before assuming that nonprofit status alone is sufficient.
Do Ohio Nonprofits Need a Raffle License?
Generally, no.
This is one of the more nonprofit-friendly aspects of Ohio raffle law. R.C. 2915.092 states that eligible organizations may conduct a qualifying nonprofit raffle without obtaining a bingo license. The Ohio Attorney General likewise states that eligible organizations do not need a license to conduct a raffle. For 501(c)(3) organizations, the Attorney General states that no raffle license or special raffle report is required.
That does not mean raffles are unregulated. Organizations must still satisfy Ohio's eligibility requirements, conduct the raffle within the statutory framework, properly handle proceeds, and maintain required records. "No raffle license required" should never be interpreted as "no rules apply."
Are There Special Rules for 501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), and Other Non-501(c)(3) Organizations?
Yes.
Ohio permits organizations in several additional federal tax-exempt categories to conduct raffles, but the use-of-proceeds requirement is different. If an organization qualifying under R.C. 2915.092(A)(1)(c) conducts a raffle, it must distribute at least 50% of the net profit from the raffle to a qualifying charitable purpose or to a department or agency of the federal government, Ohio, or a political subdivision.
That requirement applies to the specified non-501(c)(3) categories and is an important distinction for organizations such as certain social clubs, fraternal organizations, veterans organizations, and business leagues. Nonprofits should identify their exact federal tax classification before deciding how Ohio's raffle rules apply.
Can Ohio Nonprofits Sell Raffle Tickets Online?
This is the most important question for Ohio nonprofits in 2026.
Under the current Ohio framework, nonprofits should not treat Ohio as a state that broadly permits online raffle sales.
The Ohio Attorney General directly addresses online raffles in its charitable gaming guidance. The office states that many readily available online raffle tools are not legal in Ohio and can violate Chapter 2915. It specifically explains that a raffle cannot use an online random-number generator to select the winner because the statutory raffle definition requires winning ticket sections to be drawn from a receptacle containing the corresponding entries.
The Ohio Legislative Service Commission has gone further in its analysis of proposed H.B. 476. It explains that the Attorney General interprets existing law as requiring physical tickets delivered to purchasers, with detachable stubs used for the drawing, and that under this interpretation current law prohibits online raffles. This is not merely a theoretical concern. Ohio lawmakers introduced H.B. 476 after nonprofit organizations received cease-and-desist communications regarding online raffle activity. Legislative materials expressly describe the bill as an effort to legalize a fundraising method that current law does not clearly permit.
For RaffleGives and other digital raffle platforms, this means Ohio should not currently be treated as a broadly authorized online-raffle jurisdiction.
What About Selling a Ticket Online but Conducting a Physical Drawing?
This is where Ohio becomes particularly interesting.
House Bill 476 was introduced specifically to create rules allowing remote raffle-ticket sales. The legislation distinguishes between traditional raffles using physical tickets and online raffles using electronic representations of tickets. Legislative analysis explains that the proposed law would allow physical tickets to be sold remotely, including over the internet, provided the purchaser receives a physical ticket before the drawing. It would also create a separate framework for true online raffles.
The fact that lawmakers are proposing express authorization for these methods is important when interpreting current law. Until legislation becomes effective, nonprofits should not assume that converting an online purchase into a paper ticket automatically solves the compliance issue. Organizations considering any remote-sale structure should confirm the proposed process with qualified Ohio counsel and, where appropriate, the Ohio Attorney General's Charitable Law Section before launching.
What Is House Bill 476?
House Bill 476 may become one of the most important changes to Ohio charitable raffle law in years. The legislation is titled "Authorize online raffles under the Charitable Gaming Law." It would amend multiple provisions of Chapter 2915 and create new sections specifically governing online raffles. The Ohio House passed H.B. 476 in November 2025. The bill was introduced after the Attorney General's interpretation of existing raffle law disrupted online fundraising by Ohio nonprofits.
The proposed framework would modernize Ohio law by expressly addressing remote ticket sales, electronic raffle systems, registration, reporting, age restrictions, and other safeguards. But nonprofit leaders need to understand one crucial point:
A bill that passed one chamber is not the same as a law that has taken effect.
As of September 16, 2026, H.B. 476 has not completed the legislative process and is not the law nonprofits should rely on when conducting a raffle. Because this legislation could materially change Ohio's digital raffle market, organizations planning a future raffle should check its status again before launching.
Are 50/50 Raffles Legal in Ohio?
Ohio law does not define "50/50 raffle" as a separate category in the general raffle statute. Instead, the key question is whether the fundraiser qualifies as a lawful raffle under Chapter 2915 and whether the organization complies with the rules governing its eligibility, proceeds, records, and method of conducting the drawing. Unlike some states, Ohio's general raffle definition does not say that raffle prizes must consist only of merchandise. It defines a raffle primarily by the purchase of raffle tickets and the method used to determine the winner.
That makes cash-prize raffle structures materially different from states whose statutory raffle definitions expressly exclude cash prizes. However, organizations should not extend that observation into a conclusion that online 50/50 raffles are currently authorized. They are not.
Even if a cash-prize or 50/50 structure can qualify as a lawful Ohio raffle, the current restrictions surrounding online ticket sales and electronic winner selection still apply. For RaffleGives, that distinction is essential. Ohio may offer an opportunity for charitable raffle fundraising, but it should not currently be marketed as a state where nonprofits can simply launch a fully digital online 50/50 campaign.
Is There a Maximum Amount an Ohio Raffle Can Raise?
The general Ohio raffle authorization in R.C. 2915.092 does not establish a universal dollar ceiling on the gross receipts of every qualifying raffle. The statute focuses instead on who may conduct the raffle and, for certain non-501(c)(3) organizations, how net profits must be distributed.
This is an important distinction because other parts of Ohio's charitable gaming laws contain detailed financial requirements that do not necessarily apply identically to ordinary raffles. Organizations should therefore avoid importing bingo or instant-bingo limits into a standard raffle without determining whether the particular provision actually applies. Large raffles can also create additional tax, reporting, prize, and operational considerations beyond Chapter 2915, so the absence of a general raffle revenue ceiling does not mean there are no other financial compliance obligations.
What Records Must Ohio Nonprofits Keep?
Ohio takes raffle recordkeeping seriously. R.C. 2915.10 requires charitable organizations conducting raffles to maintain detailed records for at least three years. Those records include information such as gross receipts for each raffle, expenses incurred, prizes awarded, recipients of net profits, and the purposes for which raffle proceeds were used. For prizes valued at $600 or more, the statute requires records containing the winner's name, address, and Social Security number.
The Attorney General also emphasizes the three-year record-retention requirement in its charitable gaming guidance. This is one reason digital fundraising technology can ultimately be valuable when the law permits its use. Good systems can make transaction records, participant information, financial reconciliation, and campaign reporting substantially easier to manage.
But technology must fit the legal framework rather than replacing it.
Can a Business Conduct a Raffle for an Ohio Charity?
No, not simply because the proceeds will benefit a charity. The Ohio Attorney General specifically warns businesses that Ohio law limits who can actually conduct raffles. A for-profit company cannot independently conduct a raffle and make it lawful merely by donating the proceeds to a nonprofit organization. A business can support an eligible charitable organization's fundraiser, but the qualifying organization must remain responsible for conducting the raffle in accordance with Ohio law.
This distinction matters for corporate partnerships. A restaurant, retailer, employer, sports organization, or other business may want to help promote a nonprofit fundraiser. That can create a valuable partnership, but the legal structure should preserve the eligible nonprofit's control over the raffle.
Can Schools Conduct Raffles in Ohio?
Yes, certain Ohio schools are expressly included in the raffle statute. The current version of R.C. 2915.092 includes school districts, community schools, STEM schools, college-preparatory boarding schools, and chartered nonpublic schools among the entities authorized to conduct qualifying raffles.
Beginning October 9, 2026, a statutory amendment associated with H.B. 455 changes this list by removing college-preparatory boarding schools while retaining school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and chartered nonpublic schools. That makes Ohio an important state for school fundraising, but the same online-raffle restrictions apply.
A school being authorized to conduct a raffle does not automatically mean it can sell electronic raffle entries through an online platform.
What Should an Ohio Nonprofit Do Before Conducting a Raffle?
Before launching, an Ohio organization should first confirm that it falls within one of the categories authorized by R.C. 2915.092.
It should then define exactly how the raffle will operate. That includes the prize, ticket structure, sales method, drawing method, use of proceeds, recordkeeping process, and whether any third party will provide fundraising technology or operational support. If the organization intends to accept purchases remotely, use electronic entries, select winners digitally, or otherwise operate the raffle online, it should stop and verify that structure before launch. Current Ohio law and Attorney General guidance make digital raffle activity a particularly sensitive area. Organizations should also establish their three-year recordkeeping process before ticket sales begin rather than attempting to reconstruct records afterward.
Common Ohio Raffle Mistakes
The biggest Ohio compliance mistake in 2026 is assuming that because traditional raffles are legal, online raffles must also be legal. They are different questions. Another common mistake is assuming that no raffle license means no charitable gaming rules apply. Ohio may not require a separate raffle license for qualifying organizations, but Chapter 2915 still governs how authorized raffles are conducted.
Organizations should also avoid allowing a for-profit partner to become the actual raffle operator simply because the fundraiser benefits a charity. Finally, nonprofits should not assume that pending legislation has already changed the law. H.B. 476 could materially expand digital raffle fundraising in Ohio, but organizations must operate under the law that is actually effective when their raffle is conducted.
Why Ohio Is a State Nonprofits Should Watch Closely
Ohio illustrates a larger issue occurring throughout charitable gaming regulation. Nonprofits increasingly fundraise in a digital world, while many state raffle statutes were written around paper tickets, physical drawings, and in-person transactions.
That gap creates confusion.
Ohio lawmakers have acknowledged the problem directly. H.B. 476 exists because nonprofits were already using online fundraising tools while the statutory raffle framework remained built around physical tickets and drawings. If Ohio ultimately creates a clear legal framework for online raffles, the state could become considerably more attractive for modern nonprofit raffle fundraising. For now, however, nonprofits need to work within the current rules.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Raffle Laws
Are raffles legal for nonprofits in Ohio?
Yes. Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations, certain other federally tax-exempt organizations, and specified schools may conduct nonprofit raffles under Ohio Revised Code Section 2915.092.
Does an Ohio nonprofit need a raffle license?
Generally, no. Eligible organizations do not need a bingo license solely to conduct an authorized nonprofit raffle. Organizations must still comply with Ohio's charitable gaming requirements.
Can Ohio nonprofits sell raffle tickets online?
Ohio should not currently be treated as a broadly authorized online-raffle state. The Ohio Attorney General states that many online raffle tools are unlawful under current law, and Ohio's current raffle definition requires a physical-ticket drawing structure. H.B. 476 has been proposed specifically to authorize and regulate online raffles.
Can an Ohio raffle use a random number generator to choose the winner?
Not under the current raffle definition. The Ohio Attorney General specifically states that raffle winners cannot be selected online using a random-number generator. Current law requires the winning ticket section to be drawn from a receptacle containing the corresponding entries.
Are 50/50 raffles legal in Ohio?
Ohio's general raffle statute does not impose a merchandise-only prize requirement or separately prohibit cash prizes. A qualifying cash or 50/50 raffle must nevertheless comply with Ohio's raffle laws. This should not be confused with authorization for an online 50/50 raffle, which Ohio does not currently broadly authorize.
Is there a limit on how much an Ohio raffle can raise?
R.C. 2915.092 does not establish a general gross-revenue ceiling applicable to every authorized raffle. Other tax, reporting, prize, and charitable gaming requirements may still apply depending on the fundraiser.
How long must Ohio raffle records be kept?
Ohio law generally requires charitable organizations to retain specified raffle records for at least three years.
Can an Ohio business run a raffle and donate the money to charity?
A business cannot make an otherwise unauthorized raffle legal simply by donating the proceeds to charity. The raffle must be conducted by an organization authorized under Ohio law.
Can Ohio schools conduct raffles?
Certain schools are expressly authorized to conduct raffles under R.C. 2915.092. The precise list changes slightly on October 9, 2026, so schools should confirm their eligibility under the version of the statute effective when the raffle is conducted.
Is Ohio legalizing online raffles?
Ohio lawmakers are considering H.B. 476, legislation specifically designed to authorize online raffles and remote raffle-ticket sales. As of September 16, 2026, the legislation has not become effective law.
Official Ohio Raffle Resources
Nonprofits should verify current requirements directly through official Ohio sources before conducting a raffle.
Ohio Attorney General, Charitable Gaming
https://charitable.ohioago.gov/Charitable-Gaming
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 2915
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-2915
Ohio Revised Code Section 2915.092, Raffles
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2915.092
Ohio Revised Code Section 2915.01, Definitions
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2915.01
Ohio Revised Code Section 2915.10, Records
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2915.10
Ohio House Bill 476
https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/hb476
How Technology Could Change Ohio Raffle Fundraising
Ohio nonprofits clearly want modern fundraising tools. The legislative history surrounding H.B. 476 demonstrates that organizations have already tried using online raffle systems to expand their fundraising reach. The problem is that Ohio's current statutory framework has not caught up with the technology.
If Ohio ultimately authorizes online raffle sales, digital platforms could make it easier for nonprofits to reach supporters across their communities, simplify campaign administration, improve recordkeeping, and create more accessible fundraising experiences. That is precisely where platforms such as RaffleGives can provide value.
RaffleGives is built specifically around nonprofit raffle fundraising, with self-service campaign creation, integrated payments, digital promotion, reporting, and modern supporter experiences. But compliance comes first. Until Ohio's law expressly permits the type of digital raffle functionality an organization wants to use, RaffleGives should not represent a fully online Ohio raffle as currently authorized. That approach protects both nonprofits and the long-term credibility of digital charitable fundraising.
Related Reading
How to Choose the Best Nonprofit Raffle Software for Your Organization
Nebraska Raffle Laws: Can Nonprofits Sell Raffle Tickets Online in 2026?
Planning an Ohio Nonprofit Raffle?
Ohio gives qualifying nonprofits meaningful authority to conduct traditional charitable raffles without requiring a separate raffle license. Digital fundraising is different. As of September 16, 2026, organizations should not assume that online checkout, electronic raffle tickets, or digital winner selection are permitted simply because the underlying nonprofit raffle is legal.
That could change. H.B. 476 demonstrates that Ohio is actively considering a modern framework for online charitable raffles. If that legislation becomes law, nonprofits may gain new opportunities to reach supporters through digital fundraising technology.
Until then, start with compliance. Confirm your organization's eligibility, raffle structure, ticket-sales method, drawing procedure, use of proceeds, and recordkeeping requirements before launching. RaffleGives will continue monitoring Ohio's charitable gaming laws as the online-raffle legislation develops.
Learn more about modern nonprofit raffle fundraising at RaffleGives.com.
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This article is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Charitable gaming laws and regulatory interpretations can change. Organizations should verify current Ohio requirements and consult qualified legal counsel when appropriate.
