Whether your raffle tickets are delivered as printed cards or digital confirmations, the Gambling Act 2005 requires specific information on every ticket. Get it wrong and your raffle may not be legally compliant. Here’s what must appear on your online raffle tickets to keep your fundraiser on the right side of the law.
In This Guide
- The Four Legal Requirements
- How Digital Raffle Tickets UK Differ from Printed Tickets
- QR Codes for Digital Tickets and Legal Compliance
- Data Protection Requirements for Online Raffle Compliance
- Designing an Effective Digital Ticket
- Ticket Numbering for Online Raffles
- Common Mistakes on Online Raffle Tickets
- What Happens If You Sell Tickets Too Early
- Digital Ticket Delivery Methods
- Printed Tickets for Hybrid Raffles
Key Takeaways
- Four pieces of information are legally required on every raffle ticket in the UK under Schedule 11 of the Gambling Act 2005
- Digital tickets need the same information as printed ones, just in different formats
- Missing the promoter’s address is the most common compliance mistake
- Ticket numbering must be unambiguous and non-duplicated
- All tickets must be sold at the same price – discount bundles are illegal for small society lotteries
- Hybrid raffles need consistent information across digital and printed tickets
The Four Legal Requirements
Under Schedule 11, Paragraph 36 of the Gambling Act 2005, every raffle ticket must display these four pieces of information:
| Required Information | Example | Why It’s Important |
|---|---|---|
| Society name | Greenfield Primary School PTA | Identifies the organisation running the raffle |
| Ticket price | £2.00 per ticket | Must be identical for all tickets (discounts are illegal) |
| Promoter name and address | Sarah Johnson, 45 Oak Street, Manchester M1 2AB | Legal accountability and contact information |
| Draw date | Prize draw: 15th December 2025 | When participants can expect results |
Additional Requirements for Charities
Registered charities should also include their charity registration number (e.g., “Registered Charity: 123456”) on raffle tickets, though this isn’t a universal legal requirement for all raffles.
Important
The promoter must be a named individual who has been formally designated in writing by the society’s governing body, not just the organisation. This person takes legal responsibility for the raffle’s conduct and must provide their full postal address (not necessarily their home address – any complete postal address is acceptable). Every ticket must cost exactly the same – “buy 5 get 1 free” offers are illegal for small society lotteries. For guidance on licence-exempt and licensed raffle requirements, see our guide to raffle licensing requirements made simple and learn about the difference between incidental and small society lottery ticket requirements.
Skip the Legal Complexity – Get Compliant Raffle Tickets
Don’t want to worry about getting the legal requirements right? Our professionally designed raffle tickets include all required information in the correct format, ensuring your fundraiser stays compliant with UK law.
How Digital Raffle Tickets UK Differ from Printed Tickets
The same information is required whether your tickets are physical or digital, but the format changes significantly. In the digital world, your “ticket” might be:
- An email confirmation with ticket details
- A downloadable PDF ticket
- An on-screen confirmation page
- An SMS confirmation message
What matters isn’t the format but that participants receive a clear record containing all required information. The Gambling Commission considers any confirmation that participants can save or reference as their “ticket”.
For comprehensive guidance on setting up online raffle platforms and ensuring compliance, see our guide on how to sell raffle tickets online. For broader legal compliance, see our comprehensive guide on how to run an online raffle legally in the UK.
QR Codes for Digital Tickets and Legal Compliance
QR codes are increasingly popular for digital raffle tickets, providing quick access to ticket information or verification systems. However, they must complement, not replace, the required legal information.
QR Code Best Practices for Online Raffle Compliance
- Display all required information alongside the QR code, not just within it
- Ensure QR codes link to secure, permanent pages that won’t expire
- Test QR codes across different devices and scanning apps
- Include backup access methods if QR scanning fails
- Verify that linked content remains accessible throughout the raffle period
Pro Tip
QR codes work best for additional features like prize information, draw livestreams, or winner announcements. The core legal requirements should always be visible without scanning anything.
Data Protection Requirements for Online Raffle Compliance
When selling digital raffle tickets, you’re collecting and storing personal information that’s protected under UK GDPR. Your data handling practices are part of legal compliance:
Essential Data Protection Steps
- Lawful basis: Clearly state why you’re collecting information (raffle participation and contact)
- Data minimisation: Only collect information needed for the raffle
- Retention periods: Don’t keep participant data longer than necessary
- Security measures: Protect stored information with appropriate safeguards
- Participant rights: Provide clear ways for people to access or delete their data
Your ticket delivery system must also protect participant information. Email lists, payment details, and contact information all require secure handling. For detailed guidance on protecting buyer data in online raffles, see our comprehensive guide on GDPR and online raffles — protecting buyer data.
Important
Data breaches in raffles can result in fines and damage your organisation’s reputation. Ensure your ticket platform or system includes proper data protection measures before launching.
Designing an Effective Digital Ticket
Beyond the legal minimums, an effective digital raffle ticket should include:
- Ticket number prominently displayed at the top
- Organisation branding and logo for trust
- Prize summary or link to full prize list
- Specific draw date and time
- Instructions on how to check results
- Contact details for queries or problems
Pro Tip
Include a unique reference number separate from the ticket number. This helps with customer service queries and makes it easier to track purchases in your records.
Ticket Numbering for Online Raffles
Your ticket numbering system must ensure every ticket has a unique, unambiguous identifier. Common approaches include:
Sequential Numbering
Simple and transparent: 001, 002, 003, etc. Participants can see how many tickets have been sold, which builds confidence but might discourage late buyers if sales are low.
Random Numbering
Each ticket gets a random number from a predetermined range (e.g., 1000-9999). Hides sales volumes but requires careful tracking to avoid duplicates.
Platform-Generated Codes
Alphanumeric codes like RAF-2024-A7B3. Unique and professional-looking, but harder for participants to remember or verify manually.
Common Mistakes on Online Raffle Tickets
These errors can invalidate your raffle or create legal problems:
- Missing the promoter’s full postal address (most common error)
- Incorrectly assuming the licensing authority name is required on tickets (a common misconception from old regulations)
- Using an incorrect or outdated charity registration number
- Showing inconsistent ticket prices or offering “discount bundles” which are illegal
- Forgetting to specify the draw date
- Using vague language like “soon” or “next month”
- Failing to formally designate the promoter in writing
Double-Check Everything
Before launching your online raffle, verify all details with the relevant authorities. Charity numbers can be checked on the Charity Commission website, and licensing requirements vary by local council. Remember that listing the licensing authority on tickets is not a legal requirement under current law.
What Happens If You Sell Tickets Too Early
Selling raffle tickets before completing all legal requirements can have serious consequences:
Real-World Examples of Premature Sales
- Licensing delays: A school PTA started selling Christmas raffle tickets online but hadn’t received council approval. They had to refund 200+ tickets and restart three weeks later
- Charity registration issues: A community group used an outdated charity number on digital tickets. The Gambling Commission investigation delayed their fundraiser by two months
- Promoter address errors: An online raffle used the organisation’s registered address instead of the promoter’s postal address. Legal advice cost more than the funds raised
- Prize permission problems: Digital tickets were sold before confirming prize donations. When sponsors withdrew, organisers faced potential fraud allegations
Best Practice
Never sell tickets—digital or printed—until you have written confirmation of licensing approval, verified all required information, and secured all prizes. The few days saved aren’t worth the legal and financial risks.
Digital Ticket Delivery Methods
Choose your delivery method based on your audience and technical capabilities:
Email Confirmation
Most popular option. Participants get an immediate email with ticket details. Easy to implement and participants can easily save or print their confirmation. Ensure your email system handles data securely and complies with GDPR requirements.
Downloadable PDF
Professional-looking option that resembles traditional tickets. Good for events where participants might want to show their tickets physically.
SMS Confirmation
Quick and direct, but limited space means you might need to provide a link to full details. Best for simple raffles with basic requirements.
In-App Display
If using a dedicated app or platform, tickets can be displayed within the interface. Ensure participants can still access their tickets if they lose device access.
Printed Tickets for Hybrid Raffles
Many successful fundraisers run hybrid raffles, selling tickets both online and at events. Your printed tickets need the same information as your digital ones, and design consistency builds trust.
When participants see matching branding and information across digital and physical tickets, it reinforces your professionalism and legitimacy. Consider working with a specialist printer who understands raffle requirements and can match your online branding.
Professional printed tickets also work well for sponsored raffles where consistency across all materials reflects well on your sponsors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Professional Printed Tickets for Your Hybrid Raffle?
While digital tickets work perfectly for online sales, many successful raffles combine online and in-person ticket sales. Our printed raffle tickets can match your digital branding and include all legal requirements for a consistent, professional appearance.