Policies & Procedures
Policies & Procedures / Raffles and Door Prize Drawings Policy

Raffles and Door Prize Drawings Policy

Purpose: 

This policy provides guidance as to how the University conducts raffles and door prize drawings.

Definitions Related to this Policy:

The following definitions are from OAR 137-025-0020:

Door Prize Drawing means a drawing held by a nonprofit organization at a meeting of the organization where both the sale of tickets and the drawing(s) occur during the meeting and the total value of the prize(s) is less than $600. 

Raffle means a form of a lottery in which each participant buys a ticket for an article or money designated as a prize and where the winner is determined by a random drawing. A raffle includes the elements of consideration, chance and a prize. Consideration is presumed to be present unless it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to prospective participants that tickets to the drawing may be acquired without contributing something of economic value. 

Policy: 

  1. Door Prize Drawings - No license or special permission is required to conduct a Door Prize Drawing as defined above.
  2. Raffles - The State of Oregon considers raffles a form of gambling, so raffles are regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice. 
    1.  Any staff, faculty, or student organization wishing to conduct a Raffle must first obtain written permission from the Accounting Office prior to the event. Approval is subject to Willamette University owning a State of Oregon Raffle License. There may be additional requirements needed in order to comply with Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR).
    2. The following information must be printed upon each ticket sold or shall otherwise be provided to each purchaser at the time of sale:
      • Date and time of the drawing
      • Location of the drawing
      • Name of the organization conducting the drawing
      • Price of the chance
      • Full and fair description of the prize or prizes to be awarded
      • Retail market value of each prize to be awarded
      • Total number of tickets which may be sold
  3. Alcohol As Prizes - The University prohibits providing alcohol as a prize at a Door Prize Drawing or Raffle at a university sponsored event. For additional information please see the University’s Alcohol Policy. 
  4. Further Guidance

Effective Date: April 14, 2025
Responsible Person/Primary Contact: Assistant Controller
Responsible University Office: Accounting