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.
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.
What are the consequences for holding an unauthorized event?
If the Secretary of State 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.
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 types of gaming events are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations allowed to hold?
Raffles, reverse raffles, cakewalks, cake wheels, and bingo.
Are there individuals who are not allowed to purchase tickets?
Yes. The individuals who are not allowed to purchase tickets include:
Any member of the board of directors of a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization authorized by the general assembly to operate an annual event for such organization.
Any officer or employee of a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organization authorized by the general assembly to operate an annual event for such organization.
Any immediate family member residing in the same household as the board of directors or an officer/employee of the organization. (The Charitable Gaming Law defines immediate family as spouse, child, step-child, brother, sister, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent or grandparent)
Any member of the general assembly during such member's term of office as a member of the general assembly.
The Secretary of State or any employee of the Secretary during the Secretary's term of office and such employee's term of employment with the Secretary.
Any vendors including employees, agents, or subcontractors (also includes immediate family members of the same household) who provide printing services, telephone services, and any records, devices, or other gaming-related supplies and those who provide prizes for the authorized annual gaming event.
What happens if the reports are not filed?
An organization that fails to submit the report by 90 days will be responsible for a $10.00 per month late fee. If a report is not filed at all, action may be taken against the organization. Failure to timely file in 2 of 3 consecutive gaming event periods could result in disqualification from conducting future events.
Are accounting reports or post event financial data required?
Yes. A financial report is due 90 days after the annual event date stated in your application. If gross revenue from an event exceeds $75,000 an audited financial statement is also required. Also, organizations must return at least 25% of its gross proceeds of the event back to its stated charitable purpose or program.
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.
What are the hours of work?
Normally poll workers report to work one hour before polls open and leave one hour after the poll closes. Check with your county election commission for more information.
What are the qualifications to be a poll worker?
To be a poll worker, a person must:
Be at least 16 years old
Be a registered voter in the county if 18 or older
Be able to read and write in the English language
Not be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot
Not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate. Close relatives are defined as the spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate
Government Employees Who Can Serve as Poll Worker:
All City, County and Metro employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot)
State of Tennessee employees
Federal employees – consult your Human Resources Department to ensure eligibility
A poll worker shall also:
Have strong clerical skills
Be able to solve problems
Be an effective communicator
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 Charitable Solicitations at (615) 741-2555 and the Division will notify the appropriate authorities.
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.”
When can an organization begin selling tickets?
Organizations with an approved gaming event can begin selling tickets 120 days before the event.
How do I become a poll worker?
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, apply by filling out an application form. Poll workers are appointed locally based on need.
What gaming events are not allowed?
Poker games and/or tournaments, pull-tabs, 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.
May two 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations jointly operate an annual event?
Yes, however each participating organization must file an application and each pay the required fee. All applicants must qualify. If one organization fails to qualify, then participants will be rejected.
What are the training requirements for poll workers?
County Election Commissions are required by state law to provide training. This training provides all the necessary information and knowledge to be a successful poll worker.
Are poll workers paid or volunteers?
Poll workers are compensated for working at polling places at a rate determined by the county election commission and are also compensated for attending any required training sessions. Poll workers may also choose to volunteer their services, but most are paid.
If 25% is not returned to the charitable purpose or program, what does the organization need to do?
The nonprofit must file a notice with the Division stating the reason less than 25% was returned to its charitable purpose or program. If this happens in two (2) consecutive years, the nonprofit will be disqualified from applying or holding future gaming events for a period of five (5) years.
The General Assembly recently passed a bill I am interested in, where can I find this?
After bills are passed by the General Assembly, they are signed by both Speakers and the Governor. Our office is tasked with chaptering and posting these online.
Once a bill is received by our office, it may take a day or so to get it posted online. Acts and resolutions from the most recent General Assembly, as well as previous sessions, can be found here.
You can view the status of a bill by visiting the General Assembly’s website here.
Where will I be assigned?
Every effort is made to assign a poll workers to their neighborhood voting site. However, poll workers must be willing to be flexible and consider assignments at other sites in the county based on need.
The General Assembly passed a Private Act pertaining to my local government, how do I get a copy of this?
Once receiving a private act from the General Assembly, our office will mail a certified copy to the local governing body the act applies to. This will also include instructions on how to notify the Secretary of State of the outcome once voted on by the local government.
The Division of Charitable Solicitations and Gaming maintains a list of approved events on its website at Gaming Events.
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.
What are the responsibilities of a poll worker?
Poll workers conduct assigned duties at a polling site during early voting and on Election Day. Duties can include processing voters, explaining how to mark a ballot, use the voting equipment, or counting votes. Other positions at a polling place include a greeter who assists with answering questions and directing voters to the voting area.
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.”
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.