Posted By: TFF Staff 3
no RAFFLES on the TFF - it's illegal - 01/24/14 01:46 AM
We regularly hear from people or organizations who think we are singling them out when we pull their post about a raffle, so we thought it would be a good idea to make an announcement covering the reasons we don't let posts about raffles stand. It's not about your raffle, it's about the law. Most raffles posted on the TFF are illegal. The few instances they are legal are outlined on these two pages.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/alerts/alerts_view_alpha.php?id=58&type=1
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer/raffle.shtml
From Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas
"We have become aware of a proliferation of illegal raffle activity in Texas. It is important for Texans to be familiar with the law before conducting or participating in a raffle.
Examples of unlawful raffles include any raffle that is:
•conducted by an individual
•conducted by a for profit business
•conducted by a charity that does not qualify
Texas law allows only certain charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct raffles to support their charitable causes. Only the following entities which meet certain qualifications are permitted to hold raffles:
•religious societies
•volunteer emergency medical service providers
•volunteer fire departments
•qualified nonprofit organizations
A qualified nonprofit is one that has existed for at least three preceding years and is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c), Internal Revenue Code; does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers or governing body; does not devote a substantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation; and does not participate in any political campaign."
If you don't meet the above criteria and you are conducting a raffle, you are breaking the law.
Also, the law states that a raffle may not be promoted statewide. TFF is a statewide publication, so no raffles here.
Do not post raffles on the TFF. You are breaking the law. If we pull your post promoting a raffle, don't take it personally. We pull ALL posts mentioning raffles.
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/alerts/alerts_view_alpha.php?id=58&type=1
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer/raffle.shtml
From Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas
"We have become aware of a proliferation of illegal raffle activity in Texas. It is important for Texans to be familiar with the law before conducting or participating in a raffle.
Examples of unlawful raffles include any raffle that is:
•conducted by an individual
•conducted by a for profit business
•conducted by a charity that does not qualify
Texas law allows only certain charitable and nonprofit organizations to conduct raffles to support their charitable causes. Only the following entities which meet certain qualifications are permitted to hold raffles:
•religious societies
•volunteer emergency medical service providers
•volunteer fire departments
•qualified nonprofit organizations
A qualified nonprofit is one that has existed for at least three preceding years and is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c), Internal Revenue Code; does not distribute any of its income to its members, officers or governing body; does not devote a substantial part of its activities to attempting to influence legislation; and does not participate in any political campaign."
If you don't meet the above criteria and you are conducting a raffle, you are breaking the law.
Also, the law states that a raffle may not be promoted statewide. TFF is a statewide publication, so no raffles here.
Do not post raffles on the TFF. You are breaking the law. If we pull your post promoting a raffle, don't take it personally. We pull ALL posts mentioning raffles.