Legal Question in Consumer Law in Texas

Re: Raffel

No. Only qualified organizations can hold a raffle. Generally, those organizations are

religious organizations that have been in existence in Texas for at least 10 years; volunteer emergency medical service that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; a volunteer fire department that operates fire fighting equipment and does not pay its members other than nominal compensation; or a 501(c) nonprofit organization that has existed for at least three preceding years.

Only raffles held according to the terms of the Raffle Enabling Act are authorized raffles. The law is Chapter 2002, Occupations Code, Texas Codes Annotated.

An unauthorized raffle is considered gambling under the Texas Penal Code. Conducting such a raffle is a Class A misdemeanor. Participating in an unauthorized raffle is a Class C misdemeanor.