Online 50/50 Raffle in Canada: How to Run a Digital 50/50 Draw

An online 50/50 raffle is a fundraising draw where supporters purchase tickets for a chance to win a cash prize based on the money generated by ticket sales.

In a traditional 50/50 format, half of the applicable raffle ticket sales goes to the winner and the other half supports the fundraising organization.

Instead of sourcing a physical prize before launching the fundraiser, the cash prize grows as eligible ticket sales increase.

For Canadian charities, non-profits, sports clubs, schools and community organizations, this makes 50/50 draws a familiar fundraising format.

Taking the raffle online can make ticket sales and administration easier, but there is an important first step.

Raffles are regulated in Canada, and rules for online and electronic 50/50 draws vary between provinces and territories. Organizations should confirm their eligibility, licensing requirements and approved electronic raffle setup before selling tickets.

What Is an Online 50/50 Raffle?

An online 50/50 raffle takes the familiar percentage-draw format and manages ticket sales digitally.

Supporters purchase numbered raffle entries online where permitted.

The total eligible ticket sales determine the cash prize.

In a standard 50/50 structure:

50% goes to the winner.

50% remains with the fundraising organization, subject to applicable rules and expenses.

For example, if eligible ticket sales total CA$10,000, a straightforward 50/50 calculation would produce a CA$5,000 winner's share and CA$5,000 for the organization before considering any applicable expenses or regulatory requirements.

Unlike a traditional prize raffle, the final cash prize is not necessarily known when ticket sales begin.

The amount grows with ticket sales.

How Does an Online 50/50 Raffle Work?

The basic process is straightforward.

First, the organization confirms that it is eligible to conduct the raffle and obtains the required licence or approval.

The raffle is then configured with its ticket pricing, sales period, draw date and applicable rules.

Once sales open, eligible supporters purchase digital raffle tickets.

Each entry receives a ticket number.

As more tickets are sold, the total pot increases.

At the scheduled closing time, ticket sales end and the winning ticket is selected according to the approved draw process.

The organization then identifies the winner and handles the prize payment according to its raffle rules and applicable legal requirements.

Why Are 50/50 Raffles Popular in Canada?

One reason is simplicity.

Supporters can quickly understand the basic idea: buy a ticket, support the organization and have a chance to win part of the growing cash pot.

The organization also does not have to find a large physical prize before launching the fundraiser.

A traditional raffle might require volunteers to approach businesses, arrange donated items, photograph prizes and organize collection or delivery.

With a 50/50 raffle, the primary prize is funded by ticket sales.

The growing jackpot can also become part of the campaign itself.

As more tickets are sold, organizers can communicate the changing total and remind supporters when the sales deadline is approaching.

Online 50/50 Raffle vs a Traditional Prize Raffle

The biggest difference is how the prize is determined.

In a traditional raffle, the prize is normally established before ticket sales begin.

For example, the organization might raffle a vacation package, electronics, sports memorabilia or a donated experience.

The value of that prize does not automatically change when more tickets are sold.

A 50/50 raffle works differently.

The prize is based on a percentage of eligible ticket revenue, so the final amount grows as ticket sales increase.

This creates a different fundraising dynamic because supporters can watch the potential prize increase throughout the campaign.

Online vs Paper 50/50 Raffle Tickets

Traditional 50/50 raffles often use rolls or books of numbered paper tickets.

The purchaser keeps one portion while the corresponding ticket is used for the draw.

This can work well for smaller in-person events, but larger campaigns can create more administrative work.

Volunteers may need to distribute tickets, collect money, reconcile sales and manage the ticket pool.

An online 50/50 raffle moves much of this process into a digital system.

Supporters can purchase eligible tickets online, receive their numbers digitally and have their entries recorded automatically.

Organizers can then manage ticket information and purchaser records without relying entirely on physical ticket stubs.

Step 1: Check the Rules Before Running a 50/50 Raffle

This should come before choosing ticket prices or promoting the fundraiser.

Canadian raffle requirements are not the same everywhere.

Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and other provinces and territories have their own licensing and regulatory frameworks.

For example, Ontario permits licensed electronic 50/50 raffles for eligible charitable or religious organizations, while Alberta requires raffle licences and has specific requirements for electronic raffle systems. Saskatchewan defines a 50/50 draw as a raffle where the prize is one-half of the value of tickets sold during the event or licensed period.

Depending on your jurisdiction and raffle, requirements may cover:

• Organization eligibility
• Lottery licensing
• Electronic raffle systems
• Ticket pricing
• Ticket quantities
• Purchaser age
• Purchaser location
• Sales dates
• Draw procedures
• Prize calculations
• Winner notification
• Record keeping
• Use of raffle proceeds

Do not assume that because another Canadian organization is running an online 50/50, your organization can use exactly the same setup.

Confirm the requirements that apply to your campaign.

Step 2: Establish Your 50/50 Rules

Supporters should understand how the raffle works before purchasing.

Your rules should clearly explain the ticket pricing, sales period, draw date, eligibility requirements and how the winner's prize will be calculated.

The rules should also explain how the winner will be selected and contacted.

Depending on your licence, additional information may be required.

Make these details easy to find.

A supporter should not have to contact your organization simply to understand when the raffle closes or how the cash prize is calculated.

Step 3: Set Your Ticket Prices

Ticket pricing affects how accessible the raffle feels to supporters.

Some campaigns use a straightforward individual ticket price.

Others offer packages where permitted.

For example:

1 ticket for CA$10

or a campaign might offer packages such as:

5 tickets for CA$20

20 tickets for CA$50

These figures are examples only.

Actual pricing should be based on your campaign, audience and applicable licence requirements.

The main goal is to make the choices easy to understand.

Step 4: Create Numbered Digital Tickets

Every valid entry needs to be identifiable.

An online raffle platform can generate numbered digital tickets and connect those numbers with the corresponding purchaser.

This removes the need to manually write participant information on ticket stubs.

Supporters can receive their ticket numbers digitally, while organizers maintain records of the tickets sold through the campaign.

This connection becomes especially important when the winning number is selected.

The organization needs to know who owns the winning entry and how to contact them.

Step 5: Accept Eligible Online Payments

Online ticket sales need a payment process that works smoothly for supporters.

With GalaBid, campaign administrators connect their campaign to Stripe to process eligible online raffle payments.

Funds from a 50/50 raffle are received through the bank account associated with the organization's Stripe account.

For a 50/50 raffle, GalaBid does not automatically divide the proceeds and send half to the winner. The campaign administrator receives the funds and is responsible for distributing the applicable winner's share outside GalaBid in accordance with local laws and raffle requirements.

That distinction is important when planning the campaign.

Step 6: Make the Raffle Easy to Use on Mobile

Many supporters will discover your 50/50 raffle from a mobile device.

They may receive the campaign through email, social media, a message from a friend or a QR code displayed at an event.

The purchasing process should therefore be easy to complete from a phone.

Supporters should be able to review the rules, understand ticket pricing and purchase eligible entries without needing to download a dedicated app.

GalaBid campaigns are browser-based, allowing supporters to access the campaign through compatible mobile devices.

Step 7: Promote the Growing 50/50 Jackpot

The changing prize amount is one of the main differences between a 50/50 raffle and a fixed-prize raffle.

Use that to keep the campaign visible.

Instead of announcing the raffle once and then waiting for the draw, provide supporters with updates throughout the sales period.

For example:

The 50/50 pot has reached CA$2,000.

Later:

The pot has passed CA$5,000.

Then, as the deadline approaches:

Final day to enter. Ticket sales close tonight.

The figures should always reflect the actual campaign and should not exaggerate the potential prize.

Step 8: Use QR Codes at Fundraising Events

An online 50/50 raffle can still be promoted at an in-person event.

QR codes provide a simple way to connect guests with the digital campaign.

A QR code could appear on event signage, table cards, screens or other appropriate promotional materials.

Guests scan the code with their phones and access the raffle without typing a long web address.

This can work well at charity galas, sporting events, school fundraisers and community events where the applicable raffle rules permit online participation.

Step 9: Set a Clear Closing Time

Every online 50/50 raffle should have a clear deadline.

Supporters need to know when ticket sales stop and when the draw will occur.

Avoid vague wording such as "drawn later tonight."

Use a specific date and time that matches the campaign's approved rules.

Digital scheduling can also reduce the need for organizers to manually stop sales at the last minute.

The closing time should be communicated consistently throughout the campaign.

Step 10: Conduct the Random Draw

Once eligible ticket sales close, the winner needs to be selected using the draw method approved for the raffle.

Digital raffle systems can use random number generation to select a winning ticket from eligible entries.

GalaBid provides random raffle draw functionality and can support manual or scheduled winner selection.

The organization remains responsible for ensuring that its chosen system and draw process meet the requirements that apply to the raffle.

What Happens After the Winning Ticket Is Drawn?

The organization needs to connect the winning ticket with its purchaser information.

The winner can then be contacted according to the published raffle rules.

The final jackpot should also be confirmed because the winner's payout depends on the eligible ticket sales and approved prize structure.

The organization should retain the records required under its licence and complete any required post-raffle reporting.

Prize distribution should follow the organization's rules and applicable regulations.

Does GalaBid Automatically Pay the 50/50 Winner?

No.

This is an important difference between processing raffle ticket payments and distributing the final cash prize.

When a GalaBid campaign administrator runs a 50/50 raffle, the raffle ticket proceeds are processed through the connected Stripe account.

The campaign administrator is responsible for calculating and distributing the winner's share outside GalaBid.

That payout must follow the rules and legal requirements applying to the raffle.

Organizations should plan this process before ticket sales begin rather than waiting until after the winner is drawn.

Can the 50/50 Jackpot Be Displayed Online?

A growing jackpot can be an important part of promoting a 50/50 raffle.

Supporters want to know what they could potentially win.

Showing the current total can also create a reason to revisit and share the campaign as ticket sales increase.

The displayed amount should make it clear whether the figure represents the total pot or the estimated winner's share.

For example:

Total 50/50 pot: CA$8,000

Estimated winner's share: CA$4,000

Clear wording avoids making supporters guess which figure they are seeing.

Can You Offer 50/50 Ticket Packages?

Ticket packages are common in Canadian 50/50 campaigns, but the permitted structure depends on the applicable licence and jurisdiction.

Current Canadian 50/50 campaigns often present several package options, allowing supporters to choose different quantities of entries.

Organizations should confirm their approved ticket pricing before launching.

Do not introduce a new ticket bundle halfway through the campaign without first confirming that it complies with the raffle rules and licence.

Can You Run an Online 50/50 at a Sporting Event?

50/50 raffles are commonly associated with sporting events in Canada.

The format works naturally in this setting because ticket sales can build before and during the event, followed by a scheduled draw.

Digital ticketing can make participation more convenient by allowing eligible supporters to purchase through their phones.

However, the rules can differ significantly between jurisdictions.

Organizations should confirm where tickets can be sold, whether purchasers need to be physically located in the province, age requirements and any restrictions applying to online sales.

Online 50/50 Raffles for Charities

For charities, a 50/50 raffle can provide a fundraising option without requiring a donated merchandise prize.

The organization still needs to plan carefully.

A cash prize does not remove the need for licensing, ticket records, payment administration or winner management.

The organization should also be transparent about what the fundraising portion of the raffle will support.

Supporters may be attracted by the cash prize, but the cause remains an important part of the campaign.

Online 50/50 Raffles for Sports Clubs

Sports organizations are a natural fit for 50/50 fundraising because they often already have an engaged audience gathered around games or events.

A club can promote the raffle before and during the event where permitted.

Updates about the growing pot can also become part of the game-day experience.

Digital tickets reduce the need for volunteers to carry large amounts of cash or manually reconcile large volumes of paper tickets.

Licensing and electronic raffle requirements still need to be addressed before the campaign begins.

Online 50/50 Raffles for Schools and Community Groups

Schools, parent groups and community organizations may also consider 50/50 draws where they are eligible and permitted.

These groups often rely heavily on volunteers.

Moving eligible ticket sales online can reduce some of the work involved in distributing paper tickets and tracking purchases.

However, organizations should not assume that a school or community fundraising purpose automatically makes the raffle permissible.

Eligibility and licensing requirements should always be checked first.

Are Online 50/50 Raffle Tickets Tax-Deductible in Canada?

No. Purchasing a raffle or lottery ticket is not treated as a charitable gift simply because the raffle supports a charity.

The Canada Revenue Agency states that a payment for a lottery ticket or other chance to win a prize does not qualify as a gift for official donation-receipting purposes.

This means a Canadian registered charity should not issue an official donation receipt for a separately purchased 50/50 raffle ticket.

If the organization also accepts separate charitable donations, those transactions should be distinguished from raffle ticket purchases.

Does GST/HST Apply to Raffle Ticket Revenue?

The CRA states that GST/HST does not apply to revenues received from sales of lottery, break-open or raffle tickets.

Organizations should still maintain appropriate financial records and obtain professional advice where necessary regarding the broader tax treatment of their fundraising activities.

What Should You Look for in an Online 50/50 Raffle Platform?

The platform needs to support more than a visually appealing campaign page.

For an online 50/50 fundraiser, useful capabilities can include:

• Numbered digital raffle tickets
• Ticket package options
• Mobile-friendly purchasing
• Secure online payments
• Purchaser records
• Ticket sales reporting
• Scheduled opening and closing
• Random winner selection
• Winner information
• Digital notifications
• Downloadable campaign records

Canadian organizations also need to determine whether the technology and campaign setup meet the requirements of their particular licence and jurisdiction.

Software functionality does not replace regulatory approval.

How GalaBid Supports Online 50/50 Raffles

GalaBid can be used to manage an online 50/50 raffle where the organization is eligible and the campaign complies with applicable requirements.

Campaign administrators can set up the raffle, configure ticket pricing and available packages, manage numbered digital entries and accept eligible online payments through a connected Stripe account.

Supporters can access the campaign from compatible phones, tablets and computers without downloading a dedicated GalaBid app.

When sales close, GalaBid's raffle tools can be used to select the winning ticket.

For a 50/50 raffle, the ticket proceeds are received through the campaign administrator's connected Stripe account. The organization then handles payment of the winner's share outside GalaBid and in accordance with the rules applying to the raffle.

This allows the platform to support ticket sales and raffle management while leaving the organization responsible for licensing, compliance and prize distribution.

Online 50/50 Raffle FAQs

What is an online 50/50 raffle?

An online 50/50 raffle is a digital raffle where supporters purchase numbered entries and the cash prize is based on ticket sales. In a standard 50/50 structure, the applicable amount is divided equally between the winner and the fundraising organization.

How does a 50/50 raffle work in Canada?

The exact requirements depend on the province or territory. Generally, an eligible organization obtains the required licence, sells approved raffle tickets, closes sales at the stated time and randomly selects a winning ticket. The prize is then calculated according to the approved 50/50 structure.

Can you run a 50/50 raffle online in Canada?

Online 50/50 raffles are permitted in some Canadian jurisdictions under specific licensing and electronic raffle requirements. Organizations should check the rules applying to their location before selling tickets.

Does GalaBid support 50/50 raffles?

Yes. GalaBid can support 50/50 raffle campaigns, including digital ticket sales and raffle management. The organization is responsible for complying with applicable laws and distributing the winner's cash prize outside GalaBid.

Does GalaBid automatically split the 50/50 money?

No. Funds are received through the campaign administrator's connected Stripe account. The administrator is responsible for distributing the applicable winner's share outside GalaBid.

How is the 50/50 raffle winner chosen?

The winner is selected from eligible sold raffle tickets using the approved random draw process for the campaign.

Can I sell 50/50 raffle ticket packages?

Potentially. Ticket packages are common, but the pricing and package structure must comply with the licence and rules governing the raffle.

Can people buy 50/50 tickets from their phones?

Where online sales are permitted, supporters can access a GalaBid raffle campaign through a compatible mobile browser without downloading a dedicated app.

Can I sell online 50/50 tickets across Canada?

Do not assume that an online raffle can automatically sell tickets nationwide. Provincial and territorial rules can restrict where ticket purchasers must be located. Follow the geographic conditions of the raffle licence.

Do I need a licence for a 50/50 raffle in Canada?

Raffles are regulated gaming activities in Canada. The specific licence, eligibility rules and issuing authority depend on the jurisdiction and type of raffle.

Are 50/50 raffle tickets tax-deductible in Canada?

No. The CRA does not consider the purchase of a lottery or raffle ticket to be a charitable gift for official donation-receipting purposes.

Does GST/HST apply to raffle ticket revenue?

The CRA states that GST/HST does not apply to revenues received from the sale of lottery, break-open or raffle tickets.

Ready to Run Your Online 50/50 Raffle?

Make your next online 50/50 raffle easier to manage with GalaBid.

Create numbered digital tickets, configure ticket pricing, accept eligible online payments, keep purchaser records organized and manage the winning draw through one fundraising platform.

Whether you're planning a charity fundraiser, sports event, school campaign or community event, GalaBid gives your team the digital tools to manage your 50/50 campaign while you focus on reaching supporters.

Set up your 50/50 raffle with GalaBid, confirm your local licensing requirements and manage your campaign from the first ticket sold through to the final draw.

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