Raffle Tickets in Canada: How to Sell, Price and Manage Them Online

‍Raffle tickets give supporters a chance to win a prize while helping charities, schools, clubs and community organizations raise funds.

Traditionally, running a raffle meant printing numbered tickets, distributing books to volunteers, collecting cash and manually matching ticket stubs when it was time to draw a winner.

Digital raffle tickets can make much of that process easier.

Supporters can purchase tickets from a phone or computer where permitted, receive their numbered tickets digitally and enter the draw without handling a paper ticket. Organizers can track sales, purchaser information and ticket numbers through the same system.

For Canadian organizations, however, there is another important part of the process: compliance.

Raffles are regulated activities in Canada, and requirements can differ between provinces and territories. Organizations should confirm their eligibility, licensing requirements, permitted ticket sales methods and other applicable conditions before launching a raffle.

Once those requirements are understood, the next step is deciding how your raffle tickets will work.

What Are Raffle Tickets?

A raffle ticket represents one entry into a prize draw.

Each valid ticket is assigned a unique number. After ticket sales close, a winning number or numbers are selected according to the rules of the raffle.

The basic process is straightforward:

1. The organization selects one or more prizes.
2. A ticket price and sales period are established.
3. Supporters purchase raffle tickets.
4. Each purchased ticket receives a unique number.
5. Ticket sales close at the stated time.
6. A random draw determines the winner or winners.
7. Winners are notified and prizes are distributed.

The format may be simple, but organizers still need to manage ticket numbers, purchaser information, payments, draw records and any requirements established by their licence.

That is where digital raffle ticketing can help.

Paper vs Digital Raffle Tickets

Paper raffle tickets are still familiar at community events, schools and local fundraisers.

A traditional ticket normally has a unique number, with one portion going to the purchaser and another retained by the organizer.

The process can work well for smaller in-person raffles, but it also creates administrative work.

Someone needs to print or order the tickets, distribute them to sellers, collect payments, reconcile ticket books and keep purchaser information organized.

Digital raffle tickets move much of this process online.

When a supporter purchases a digital raffle ticket, the system assigns the ticket number electronically and records the transaction.

With GalaBid, supporters can receive their numbered raffle tickets by email or text, and organizers can access raffle ticket records through campaign reporting.

This can reduce the amount of manual tracking involved in a fundraising raffle.

How Do Online Raffle Tickets Work?

An online raffle begins with a digital campaign page.

The organizer adds the raffle details, including the prize or prizes, ticket pricing, number of tickets available and relevant terms and conditions.

Where online ticket sales are permitted under the applicable licence, supporters can visit the raffle page from a phone, tablet or computer.

They choose the number or package of raffle tickets they want and complete payment.

Their ticket numbers are then generated digitally.

The organizer does not need to tear tickets from a book or manually write the purchaser's details onto a paper stub.

When the raffle closes, the draw can be conducted using the approved process for that campaign and jurisdiction.

What Information Should Raffle Tickets Include?

The information required for raffle tickets depends on the rules that apply to the raffle.

Your organization should check its licence and regulator requirements rather than relying on a generic ticket template.

Depending on the raffle and jurisdiction, relevant information may include the organization running the raffle, licence information, ticket number, ticket price, prize information, sales closing date, draw date and location, eligibility requirements and instructions for accessing the official rules.

Digital raffle software can help keep ticket numbers and purchaser records organized, but the organization is still responsible for ensuring its raffle complies with applicable requirements.

Raffle Tickets in Canada: Check the Rules Before Selling

Canadian raffle organizers should deal with licensing before promoting or selling tickets.

Raffle rules are not identical across Canada.

Provincial and territorial regulators can set requirements around who may conduct a raffle, where tickets may be sold, how electronic ticketing can operate, participant eligibility, ticket pricing, draw procedures and reporting.

Municipal requirements may also apply in some situations.

Electronic raffles can have additional requirements beyond traditional paper raffles.

Do not assume that permission to run an in-person paper raffle automatically allows your organization to sell raffle tickets online.

Before setting up your campaign, confirm the requirements that apply to your organization, location and type of raffle.

Can You Sell Raffle Tickets Online in Canada?

Online raffle tickets can be sold in parts of Canada when the organization and raffle meet the applicable licensing and regulatory requirements.

The specific conditions vary.

For example, electronic raffles in some provinces are subject to regulator requirements relating to licensing and the technology used to conduct the raffle.

Purchaser location can also matter.

A raffle licensed in one province does not automatically mean tickets can be sold across Canada.

Your organization should confirm exactly where eligible purchasers must be located and any age or other participation requirements before launching online sales.

The raffle platform provides the technology. It does not replace the organization's licence or regulatory obligations.

Why Use Digital Raffle Tickets?

One of the biggest advantages of digital raffle tickets is easier administration.

With a paper raffle, organizers may need to reconcile ticket books, cash, purchaser details and unsold tickets manually.

A digital system can keep more of that information together.

Each transaction can be associated with the purchaser and their numbered entries.

Digital delivery also means supporters do not need to keep track of a physical ticket stub.

For organizations running larger campaigns, having searchable and downloadable records can make post-raffle reporting easier.

How to Set a Raffle Ticket Price

There is no single ticket price that works for every fundraiser.

The right price depends on the audience, prize value, fundraising goal, number of tickets available and conditions of the raffle licence.

A local school fundraiser with several donated prizes may use a very different price from a limited-ticket raffle offering a high-value prize.

Start by asking:

Who is likely to purchase tickets?

How much are supporters comfortable spending?

How many potential purchasers can the campaign realistically reach?

What is the value and appeal of the prize?

How many tickets can be sold under the raffle setup?

What ticket pricing is permitted by the applicable licence?

The goal is to find a price that makes participation accessible while still supporting the fundraising target.

Use Canadian Dollar Pricing That Is Easy to Understand

Simple pricing is usually easier to communicate.

For example, an organization might consider a straightforward single-ticket price such as:

1 ticket for CA$5

If permitted under its licence, it could also consider ticket packages such as:

3 tickets for CA$10

10 tickets for CA$25

These figures are examples only, not recommended pricing for every raffle.

The actual price and any package structure should be based on your audience, fundraising plan and applicable raffle requirements.

Avoid complicated pricing that forces supporters to calculate which option provides the best value.

Should You Offer Raffle Ticket Bundles?

Ticket bundles can give supporters the option to purchase multiple entries in one transaction.

For example, instead of buying a single ticket, someone might choose a package containing several entries.

GalaBid supports a single raffle ticket price plus multiple package options.

However, organizers should not automatically assume discounted packages are permitted.

The raffle's pricing structure needs to follow the requirements of the applicable licence and jurisdiction.

If bundles are allowed, keep the choices simple enough that supporters can quickly understand them.

Set a Maximum Number of Raffle Tickets

A raffle can be configured with a total number of tickets available.

This can be particularly useful when the licence or campaign structure requires a defined ticket pool.

For example, a campaign might be limited to 5,000 eligible tickets.

The organizer can then understand the maximum possible number of entries and calculate potential gross ticket revenue based on the approved pricing structure.

With GalaBid, administrators can set the total number of tickets available for a raffle item as part of the campaign setup.

Set a Purchase Limit When Required

Some raffles may also need a maximum number of tickets that one participant can purchase.

GalaBid allows campaign administrators to set a maximum purchase quantity for a raffle item.

Whether your raffle needs this limit will depend on your campaign and applicable requirements.

Any restrictions should be communicated clearly to supporters before they purchase.

Choose Raffle Prizes Supporters Will Understand

Raffle tickets are easier to promote when the prize is immediately clear.

Supporters should not need to read several paragraphs to understand what they could win.

Prizes might include donated products, experiences, gift packages or other items permitted under the applicable raffle rules.

When describing a prize, include the information a purchaser needs to make a decision.

Clear photographs can also help supporters understand what is being offered.

If there are several prizes, explain whether one raffle ticket enters the purchaser into a draw for all prizes or whether different prizes have separate raffle tickets.

One Raffle or Multiple Raffles?

There are different ways to structure a digital raffle.

One option is to create one raffle with several prizes.

Another is to create separate raffle items, allowing supporters to purchase entries specifically for the prizes they want.

GalaBid supports both approaches.

An organizer can create a single raffle item with multiple prizes or create multiple raffle items within the same campaign.

The right structure depends on the event, prize lineup and conditions established for the raffle.

Make the Raffle Page Clear

Before asking someone to buy a raffle ticket, make sure the campaign page answers the questions they are likely to have.

Supporters should be able to understand:

• Who is running the raffle
• What they can win
• How much tickets cost
• What ticket packages are available
• When ticket sales close
• When the draw takes place
• Who is eligible to participate
• Where purchasers must be located
• How the winner will be selected
• How the winner will be contacted
• Where the official rules can be found

The easier the raffle is to understand, the less uncertainty there is during checkout.

Use a Strong Prize Photo

Raffle promotion is highly visual.

A strong image of the main prize can quickly explain why someone should pay attention to the campaign.

Use a clear, high-quality photograph rather than a generic stock image whenever possible.

If the prize is an experience, show something that represents the experience accurately.

The image should support the actual prize description rather than making the prize look more valuable or different from what the winner will receive.

Sell Raffle Tickets From Mobile Devices

Many supporters will first see a raffle while using their phone.

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

That means the ticket-purchasing experience should work well on mobile devices.

Supporters should be able to review the prize, choose their ticket quantity or package and complete the purchase without needing to move to a desktop computer.

GalaBid campaigns are browser-based, so supporters can access a raffle from a compatible phone, tablet or computer without downloading a dedicated GalaBid app.

Use QR Codes to Promote Raffle Tickets

QR codes can connect offline promotion with online ticket sales.

A supporter sees the code, scans it with their phone and is taken to the campaign page.

Organizations can place a raffle QR code on materials such as event signage, table cards, posters or other promotional materials where appropriate.

GalaBid campaigns can be shared through a QR code, making it easier to direct supporters to the online campaign without asking them to type a long web address.

Before printing a QR code on hundreds of materials, test it on several phones and make sure it opens the correct campaign.

Promote Raffle Tickets Before the Event

Where advance sales are permitted under the applicable licence, organizations can promote their raffle before an in-person fundraising event.

This can give supporters who cannot attend the event an opportunity to participate where eligibility rules permit.

Promotion may include the organization's existing email audience, website, social channels and direct communication with supporters.

Always make sure promotional timing, sales location and participant eligibility follow the raffle's licence conditions.

Sell Raffle Tickets at an In-Person Event

Digital raffle tickets can also work at physical fundraising events.

Guests can use their own phones to access the raffle page and purchase tickets.

Where the campaign setup and applicable rules permit, authorized volunteers can also assist with purchases.

GalaBid volunteer accounts can be used to enter eligible raffle purchases on behalf of participants, including supported offline payment methods such as cash where configured appropriately.

This can help an event continue using digital ticket records even when a supporter does not complete the purchase independently.

Connect Raffle Tickets With a Fundraising Event

A raffle is often only one part of a larger fundraising event.

A charity gala might include event tickets, a silent auction, donations and a raffle during the same evening.

Using a fundraising platform that supports these activities can reduce the need to send supporters between unrelated systems.

GalaBid can support raffle items alongside other available fundraising features within the same campaign.

Supporters can access the campaign from their own devices without downloading an app.

How Digital Raffle Ticket Numbers Are Delivered

Once an eligible purchase is completed through GalaBid, the purchaser can receive access to their numbered raffle tickets digitally.

GalaBid can send ticket information by email or text.

Ticket numbers are also associated with the participant's account and campaign records.

This removes the need for the purchaser to protect a small paper stub until draw day.

It also gives the organizer a digital record of the sold tickets.

Keep Raffle Purchaser Records

Record keeping is an important part of managing a raffle.

Depending on the applicable licence, organizations may need information about ticket sales, purchasers, winners and the draw.

GalaBid provides raffle reports containing details about tickets sold and winners.

Organizers can download raffle ticket information for their records.

The specific records your organization is required to retain should be confirmed with the relevant regulator and licence conditions.

How Are Raffle Winners Drawn?

Once ticket sales have closed, a winner needs to be selected according to the raffle's approved rules.

GalaBid provides a random draw function for digital raffles.

Organizers can configure a raffle so winners are drawn automatically when the raffle closes or perform the draw manually through the raffle controls.

For raffles with multiple prizes, organizers can draw winners individually or use the available bulk draw functionality.

The draw is logged within the system.

Organizations should make sure their selected draw method is permitted under their applicable licence.

Notify Raffle Winners

The campaign should clearly state how winners will be notified.

With GalaBid, winners can be notified automatically by email or text after the draw.

The organization should also follow any publication or notification requirements established by its raffle licence.

Do not wait until after the draw to decide how winner communication will work.

Include the process in the campaign planning stage.

Can You Show Raffle Winners Online?

Transparency can help supporters understand that the draw has been completed.

GalaBid allows organizers to display raffle winners to participants on the raffle item page when the appropriate setting is enabled.

Whether and how winner information should be displayed may depend on your campaign rules, privacy considerations and regulatory requirements.

Make sure the approach used by your organization matches the rules communicated to participants.

Are Raffle Tickets Tax-Deductible in Canada?

Generally, no.

The Canada Revenue Agency states that the purchase of a lottery ticket is not considered a gift. Therefore, an official donation receipt cannot be issued for the cost of a separately purchased raffle ticket.

This is different from a supporter making a separate charitable donation.

Organizations should keep raffle purchases and charitable donations clearly distinguished when communicating with supporters.

Payment Receipts Are Not Donation Receipts

A purchaser may still receive confirmation or a payment receipt for a raffle transaction.

That is not the same as an official charitable donation receipt for income tax purposes.

This distinction should be clear to both the organization and the supporter.

GalaBid can provide digital transaction records, while the organization remains responsible for its charitable receipting obligations.

Common Raffle Ticket Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes is beginning ticket sales before confirming the legal requirements.

Another is assuming an in-person raffle licence automatically permits online sales.

Organizers can also create unnecessary problems by using confusing ticket prices, failing to state eligibility requirements, leaving draw details unclear or keeping incomplete purchaser records.

From a supporter perspective, unclear prize descriptions and complicated checkout steps can also make participation harder.

A strong raffle starts with compliance, followed by simple pricing, clear communication and organized ticket management.

How GalaBid Helps Canadian Organizations Manage Raffle Tickets

GalaBid provides online raffle software for Canadian charities, schools, clubs and other eligible fundraising organizations.

Organizers can create one or multiple raffle items, set ticket prices and permitted package options, define the number of tickets available and configure the number of prizes.

Supporters can purchase numbered digital tickets from compatible phones, tablets or computers where online sales are permitted.

Ticket information can be delivered by email or text, while organizers maintain digital purchaser and ticket records.

Online payments are processed through the organization's connected Stripe Canada account, with supported card payments as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

When sales close, GalaBid's raffle controls can be used to conduct the draw, record the result and notify winners.

Raffle ticket reports can also be downloaded to help organizers maintain campaign records.

GalaBid provides the fundraising technology, but Canadian organizations remain responsible for confirming their eligibility, obtaining any required licence and following the conditions established by their provincial, territorial or municipal regulator.

Raffle Tickets FAQs

How do raffle tickets work?

Each raffle ticket represents an entry into a prize draw and receives a unique number. After ticket sales close, a winning ticket number is selected according to the raffle rules.

Can raffle tickets be sold online in Canada?

Online raffle sales are possible in some Canadian jurisdictions when the organization, licence, ticketing system and campaign meet applicable regulatory requirements. Rules vary, so organizations should confirm requirements with the appropriate regulator before selling tickets online.

Do Canadian raffles need a licence?

Raffles are regulated in Canada. Licensing requirements depend on the province or territory, organization and type of raffle. Organizations should confirm the current requirements that apply before advertising or selling tickets.

What is a digital raffle ticket?

A digital raffle ticket is an electronically generated entry with a unique ticket number. Instead of receiving a paper stub, the purchaser receives or accesses their ticket information digitally.

How much should raffle tickets cost?

There is no universal price. Consider your audience, prize, fundraising target, expected sales volume and any pricing requirements under your licence before setting the price.

Can raffle tickets be sold in bundles?

GalaBid supports raffle ticket package pricing. However, whether a particular bundle or discounted pricing structure is permitted depends on the rules governing your raffle.

Can I limit how many raffle tickets are available?

Yes. GalaBid allows organizers to set the total number of tickets available for a raffle item.

Can I limit how many tickets one person buys?

GalaBid allows administrators to set a maximum number of tickets a participant can purchase. Your organization should configure this according to its raffle rules and licence requirements.

How do supporters receive their GalaBid raffle ticket numbers?

After an eligible purchase, GalaBid can provide the purchaser with access to their numbered raffle tickets digitally, including through email or text.

Can raffle tickets be sold at an in-person event?

Depending on your licence and applicable rules, raffle tickets may be sold at eligible in-person events. GalaBid can support mobile purchases and authorized volunteer-assisted sales.

How are GalaBid raffle winners selected?

GalaBid provides a random draw function. Organizers can manually initiate the draw or configure automatic winner selection when the raffle closes. The selected process must still comply with the applicable raffle requirements.

Can a Canadian charity issue a donation receipt for raffle tickets?

No. The CRA states that purchasing a lottery ticket is not considered a gift, so an official donation receipt cannot be issued for the cost of the raffle ticket.

Can I run several raffles in one GalaBid campaign?

Yes. GalaBid allows organizers to create multiple raffle items in the same campaign, subject to the organization's licence and applicable rules.

Make Raffle Tickets Easier to Manage

Successful raffle tickets in Canada need more than an attractive prize.

Organizers need clear ticket pricing, accurate purchaser records, numbered entries, straightforward payment options and a reliable draw process.

They also need to understand the rules that apply before ticket sales begin.

Digital raffle tickets can reduce much of the manual work associated with traditional paper raffles while making it easier for eligible supporters to participate from their own devices.

GalaBid brings digital raffle ticket sales, ticket numbers, purchaser records, payments, draw controls and winner notifications together in one fundraising platform.

For Canadian charities, schools, clubs and community organizations, that means less time managing ticket stubs and more time focusing on the fundraiser itself.

Plan your raffle carefully, confirm your local requirements and use GalaBid to manage your digital raffle tickets from sale through to the draw.