The Raffle Draw

The draw is the point at which winning tickets are selected and prizes allocated. The Gambling Act 2005 requires that the outcome is determined by chance, but does not prescribe a specific draw method. The draw must be fair, transparent, and recorded. For incidental lotteries, the draw must take place during the event and results must be announced at the event. For small society lotteries, there is no statutory requirement for a public draw, but conducting the draw visibly with independent witnesses is standard practice.

Draw Methods

Several methods are in common use. The choice depends on the number of tickets sold, the venue, and the level of formality.

Physical draw (hat, tub, or bag)

The traditional method. All ticket stubs or counterfoils are placed in a container and drawn at random. This works well for draws of up to approximately 500 tickets. Beyond that, the volume of paper makes thorough mixing difficult, and the draw becomes slow.

For the draw to be fair, all stubs must be mixed thoroughly before each selection. Folded stubs should be uniform in size and shape — stubs folded differently or left unfolded can be identified by touch, which undermines the randomness.

Tombola drum or barrel

A rotating drum or barrel that mixes tickets mechanically. This is the standard method for draws involving hundreds to several thousand tickets. The drum provides visible, mechanical mixing that is clearly random to the audience. Tombola drums are available to hire from event suppliers and are commonly owned by schools, churches, and community organisations.

Random number generator

A digital random number generator selects a number from the range of ticket numbers sold. This method is fast, demonstrably random, and works at any scale. It is the standard method for large draws, draws conducted remotely, and draws where physical stubs are impractical.

The generator must be verifiably random — a simple online tool or app is sufficient, but the selection process should be visible to witnesses. Using a random number generator on a laptop projected onto a screen provides both randomness and transparency.

Ping pong balls

Numbered ping pong balls drawn from a container or blown by an air machine. This method is visually engaging and commonly used at bingo halls, sports clubs, and televised draws. It works well for draws where the ticket numbering is compatible (e.g. three-digit or four-digit numbers).

Before the Draw

Preparing the draw pool

Only tickets that have been sold and paid for should be included in the draw. Unsold tickets, voided tickets, and complimentary tickets (if any) must be removed.

For a physical draw, this means collecting all stubs from sellers, removing any that correspond to unsold tickets, and placing only paid stubs into the draw container. For a random number generator draw, this means establishing the range of valid ticket numbers — typically the lowest sold number to the highest sold number, excluding any numbers confirmed as unsold.

Closing sales

Ticket sales should close before the draw begins. This prevents tickets being sold after the draw has started — a situation that could lead to disputes about whether a ticket was eligible. Announce the closure of sales clearly and allow a brief interval before starting the draw.

Confirming the prize list

Before the draw, confirm the final list of prizes. Display the prizes visibly if they are physical items. Number each prize and ensure the draw steward has a clear list of which prize is awarded for each draw position (first prize, second prize, etc.).

Independent Witnesses

No statutory requirement exists for independent witnesses at a raffle draw. However, having at least two independent witnesses is standard practice and serves several important functions.

Witnesses verify that the draw was conducted fairly, that no tampering occurred, and that the winning tickets were genuinely drawn at random. Their presence protects the society against allegations of impropriety. If a dispute arises, the witnesses can provide an independent account of what happened.

An independent witness is someone who has no personal interest in the outcome of the draw — they have not purchased tickets, they are not members of the organising committee, and they are not related to committee members. At school events, a teacher or governor who did not buy tickets is a suitable witness. At charity events, a local dignitary, a representative of another organisation, or a member of the public who volunteers on the day can serve as a witness.

Witnesses should observe the entire draw process from start to finish. They should be asked to sign a brief record confirming they witnessed the draw, that it was conducted fairly, and that the results are accurate.

Conducting the Draw

Drawing order

Prizes are typically drawn in reverse order — the lowest-value prize first, the highest-value prize last. This is the convention at most community and charity draws. Drawing the top prize first means the remaining draws attract less audience attention. Reverse order is the standard convention at community and charity draws.

Announcing each winner

For each draw:

1. Draw the ticket (physically or by random number generator).
2. Read the winning number clearly and loudly.
3. Pause to allow the holder to identify themselves.
4. Verify the winning ticket matches the drawn stub or number.
5. Announce the prize.
6. Record the winning number, the winner's name, and the prize awarded.

If the draw is by physical stub, the stub should be shown to the witnesses before the number is announced. If the winner is present, their ticket should be checked against the drawn stub to confirm the number matches.

When the winner is not present

At small society lottery draws, winners may not be present — particularly if tickets were sold in advance. The drawn number is recorded and the winner is contacted after the draw using the details on the ticket stub. The prize is held until collected.

The draw continues regardless of whether individual winners are present. All winning numbers should be drawn at the same session, not deferred.

Recording the Draw

The draw should be recorded in sufficient detail to evidence that it was conducted fairly and that the results are accurate. The minimum record includes:

• the date, time, and location of the draw
• the draw method used
• the names of the independent witnesses
• the total number of tickets in the draw pool
• for each prize: the winning ticket number, the winner's name (if known), and the prize awarded
• confirmation from witnesses (signed)

Video recording is increasingly common and provides the strongest evidence of a fair draw. A single camera capturing the full draw — from the first ticket drawn to the last — is sufficient. The video does not need to be professional quality, but it should clearly show the draw being conducted and the numbers being announced.

For small society lotteries, draw records form part of the documentation the society must retain for three years. They may be inspected by the local authority.

Announcing Results

Incidental lotteries

Results must be announced at the event. This can be done verbally (over a PA system), by display (on a board or screen), or by both. The requirement is that the results are made available to attendees during the event — not afterwards.

Small society lotteries

There is no statutory requirement for how results are announced. In practice, societies publish results through their usual communication channels — a notice on the premises, a newsletter, a social media post, or an email to members. Winners should be contacted individually using the details from their ticket stub.

Where results are published, only the winning ticket numbers need to be listed — not the winners' names — unless the winner has given consent.

Handling Disputes

Disputes most commonly arise from:

Lost tickets. A person claims to have purchased a winning ticket but cannot produce it. Without the physical ticket, the claim cannot be verified. The society's terms and conditions should state that prizes are awarded to the holder of the winning ticket — the ticket itself is the proof of entry.

Duplicate numbers. If duplicate ticket numbers exist due to a printing or distribution error, both holders have a legitimate claim. This is a serious compliance issue. The fair resolution is to award the prize to one holder (drawn at random between the two) and offer equivalent compensation to the other. Preventing duplicate numbers through proper sequential numbering is far better than resolving the problem after the fact.

Allegations of unfair draw. Claims that the draw was rigged or not properly random. Independent witnesses and video recording are the primary defences. If witnesses confirm the draw was fair and video evidence supports this, the allegation can be rebutted with evidence.

Underage winner. If the winning ticket was purchased by someone under 16, the sale was unlawful. The ticket is void and a re-draw for that prize should be conducted. The society should review its age-verification procedures.

Live Streaming

Conducting the draw via live stream — on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or another platform — is increasingly common, particularly for small society lotteries where many ticket holders are not present at the draw.

Live streaming the draw is not itself a regulated activity. It is the draw being broadcast, not tickets being sold. However, the stream must not be used to sell additional tickets — that would constitute online selling and requires a remote lottery operating licence.

A live-streamed draw provides a natural record of the event, acts as its own witness layer, and builds trust among ticket buyers who cannot attend. The stream should show the full draw process, the witnesses present, and each winning number being selected and announced.

The society should retain a copy of the stream recording as part of its draw records.

Questions about the raffle draw? See our help centre.

Last reviewed: February 2026