Can I hold an online raffle?

Is it legal to hold a 50/50 raffle in Virginia, and if so, do you need a permit?

• A 50/50 raffle is where people buy raffle tickets and the organization keeps half the money while the raffle's winner gets half. The organization looking to do this is a very small nonprofit club with ties to a much larger national nonprofit org.

• Answer:

  You should consult a gaming attorney, as nonprofits seeking to engage in charitable raffles in Virginia have various requirements, including permitting, reporting of winners/receipts, and tax-exempt status (if over 40,000 in receipts), for instance. http://www.gambling-law-us.com/Charitable-Gaming/Virginia/ is an adequate summary of state law, though it is heavily outdated in some states, so you absolutely cannot rely on it.  As you can see, there are  ton of provisions that apply to charitable gaming/raffles in VA. Considering that screwing this up could constitute both state and federal felonies, I highly recommend retaining a gaming law attorney.  My firm practices gaming law, though not in Virginia -- send me a quora message if you'd like a referral.This answer is not a substitute for professional legal advice....