25 fun raffle game ideas for fundraising

Raffle games are a fun and effective way to engage your donors and reach your fundraising goals. Whether you're supporting a school, charity, or community project, explore this list of 25 creative raffle ideas to raise money, captivate your audience, and make your event a memorable success!

1. Traditional ticket raffle 🎟️

If you’re new to raffles, let’s start with the classic format, and you can build on it from there. 

🚧 How it works: Participants buy numbered tickets (you can buy raffle ticket rolls online or at office supply stores) for the chance to win donated prizes. When you’ve sold enough, draw the winning ticket(s) at random. 

💛 Best for: Big events with a lot of attendees 

🌟 Pro tip: Draw winners right after the most important part of your event. To keep everyone present for your pitch or final appeal, let attendees know they’ll need to stick around to hear the winning number. 

2. Penny social 🥳

Also known as a chance auction or tricky tray, a penny social offers a more interactive spin on the traditional raffle experience.  

🚧 How it works: Similar to a silent auction, items are displayed throughout a room for attendees to view up close. But instead of writing on bid sheets, participants buy tickets and place them into containers in front of items they hope to win. The more tickets they enter, the better their chances! 

💛 Best for: Events with enough space to display several prizes

🤩 See it in action: For their Brews & Buddies fundraiser, MATCares offered creative raffle ticket bundles with perks like free “brews on us.” 

3. Wine raffle 🍷

For the right audience, wine makes a crowd-pleasing raffle prize. In this raffle game, guests each bring a bottle of wine, and everyone goes home with a different one. Some could be budget-friendly, while others could be high-end, creating excitement and mystery.

🚧 How it works: Guests purchase a cork or numbered tag. Each one corresponds to a wrapped bottle of wine marked with a sticker. Whichever supporter buys that tag will win the respective bottle of wine. Cheers!

💛 Best for: Adults-only gatherings 

🌟 Pro tip: Include a few non-alcoholic wines or spirits to be more inclusive. 

4. Play B-I-N-G-O 🎉

You’ll find many ways to transform this timeless game into a raffle opportunity. Note: In some states, bingo qualifies as online gambling, so be sure to check your local laws before you begin planning. 

🚧 How it works: Each ticket buys one bingo card, so purchasing multiple tickets will increase odds. Typically, participants win by completing five squares in a row—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

💛 Best for: Events with tables, seating, and a sound system for bingo calling

🌶️ Spice things up: If your attendees won’t know each other well, consider an “ice breaker” bingo card. Your bingo squares could include “Welcome someone who’s brand new to our organization,” “Find a board member,” or “Meet someone who’s volunteered with us in the last few years.” These prompts work best if you know your attendees well. 

5. 50/50 raffle 🎫

Incentivize your supporters—and boost ticket sales—with a 50/50 raffle.  

🚧 How it works: Your organization keeps half of the proceeds, while one lucky supporter will take the rest. For example, if your organization sells $500 worth of raffle tickets, the winner gets to keep $250, and the remaining $250 will go to your organization. If 50% feels too much, consider offering 25% or 30%, or choose your own cash prize increments.

💛 Best for: When you don’t have a jaw-dropping prize that’s sure to sell tickets

🤩 See it in action: Check out how Gibault High School raised over $50K for their Raffle Mania campaign by offering various cash prizes. 

More to explore

13 online raffle ideas to drive donations →

6. Board game raffle 🎲

Host a game night raffle to raise the stakes and connect with your supporters. 

🚧 How it works: Make a traditional raffle more interactive by combining it with classic board games. During a Scrabble night, a raffle ticket could offer a sneak peek at a dictionary. For Monopoly, two raffle tickets might let a player buy property. The possibilities are fun and endless.

💛 Best for: A bonus raffle opportunity within a larger fundraising effort

🌟 Pro tip: Use fundraising event software to build excitement and sell raffle tickets in advance. 

7. Hidden reveal 🎩

Add a little mystery to your fundraising event with this gift card raffle. 

🚧 How it works: Collect donated gift certificates from local restaurants, bars, shops, and other businesses then place each in a plain, unmarked envelope. Raffle winners pick an envelope at random without knowing which gift card inside—creating suspense then pure delight when their prize is revealed. 

💛 Best for: Nonprofits with strong community ties or local business partnerships

🌶️ Spice things up: Hide your gift cards in mason jars, champagne flutes, potted plants, or other creative envelope alternatives. Let your raffle winners choose their favorite to take home. 

8. Double-or-nothing 🙅

Turn every win into a chance for something bigger—and increase the number of tickets sold—with this double-or-nothing raffle game idea. 

🚧 How it works: After drawing the winner, ask if they'd like to purchase an additional ticket to enter a game of chance (like drawing a card or flipping a coin). If they win, they choose a second raffle item. However, if they lose, their original prize goes back to the organization to be raffled off to another supporter.

💛 Best for: High-ticket fundraisers 

🌟 Pro tip: Ask corporate sponsors to donate exciting prizes to incentivize more ticket sales.   

9. Reverse raffle 🏆

Build anticipation and keep your supporters engaged all evening long with a reverse raffle. 

🚧 How it works: All raffle tickets are entered at the beginning, but winners are drawn gradually throughout the event. Announce smaller prizes first, revealing the grand prize last. 

💛 Best for: Fundraising galas or events with an engaging emcee 

🌟 Pro tip: If your grand prize is truly special, like a romantic weekend for two in Aspen, announcing the winner last will ensure attendees stay for the entire program.

10. Gift basket raffle 🧺

Create eye-catching baskets and let supporters purchase tickets to win their favorite. More tickets equal more chances to win—and more funds raised for your cause!

🚧 How it works: Ask supporters or corporate sponsors to donate several different gift baskets you can raffle off. Display them so attendees can see some (but not all!) of the goodies inside. Add a small raffle box in front of each basket for bidders to place their tickets for the basket they’d most like to win. 

💛 Best for: Nonprofits with corporate sponsors or large-scale fundraising events

🤩 See it in action: The best basket raffle ideas are often themed, such as a “cozy night in,” “self-care,” or “pet lovers.” For their own Basket Raffle fundraiser, Canine Lifesavers created a rescue pup-themed basket! 

More to explore

70+ amazing raffle prize ideas for cheap and luxury budgets →

11. Peer-to-peer raffle 👯

Leverage your raffle to incentivize peer-to-peer fundraising (P2P) efforts among your loyal supporters. 

🚧 How it works: Supporters who sign up to create a P2P page leading up to your event earn perks like extra raffle tickets for every dollar raised or number of donors they bring in. For example, raising $30 might earn five extra raffle tickets.

💛 Best for: Organizations with a dedicated supporter base 

🌟 Pro tip: Create a clear P2P raffle reward menu so participants can see exactly what they’re working toward. If they’re creating team fundraising pages, a live leaderboard can amp up the friendly competition. 

12. Spin-to-win wheel 🎡

Bring the carnival vibes to your next event with a colorful prize wheel! This interactive game creates a lot of excitement and works especially well in high-traffic areas like school gyms or community fairs.

🚧 How it works: Fill each slot with a prize or ticket bundle, and let supporters spin the wheel for a chance to win everything from swag bags to bonus raffle entries.

💛 Best for: School fundraisers, fairs, or family-friendly events

‍🌟 Pro tip: Charge a dollar amount per spin, and make prize options varied and exciting to encourage repeat spins.

13. Guess the jar count 🍬

Candy + counting = a classic. This tried-and-true game is fun, simple, and perfect for all ages. 

🚧 How it works: Fill a mason jar with candy, marbles, or any countable item and have supporters guess how many are inside. Each guess requires a raffle ticket purchase or small donation, and the closest guess wins the prize (and often the jar, too!).

💛 Best for: Budget-friendly events and youth fundraisers

🌶️ Spice things up: Set out multiple jars with different themes or prize tiers—think Halloween candy, pet treats, or even office supplies!

14. Mystery envelope wall ✉️

Create a buzz and raise some dough with this simple, space-saving raffle setup. 

🚧 How it works: Tape 50+ numbered envelopes to a wall, each containing a small hidden prize or a note describing it. Supporters purchase an envelope, peel it off the wall, and reveal their prize—ranging from fun swag to bigger ticket items.

💛 Best for: Events with steady foot traffic but limited space 

🌶️ Spice things up: Include a handful of top-tier prizes (like $100 gift cards or concert tickets) alongside smaller items or “thanks for playing” notes to keep excitement high.

15. Balloon pop 🎈

A slightly louder version of the envelope wall, this raffle game adds a literal pop to your event.

🚧 How it works: Fill balloons with paper slips corresponding to prizes, then number them and tape to a board. Attendees buy a balloon, pop it, and reveal their prize.

💛 Best for: Festivals, family-friendly events, and youth fundraisers

🌶️ Spice things up: Vary the prize value between balloons or hide a few premium prizes in “golden balloons”!

16. Treasure chest pick 🗝️

Add a little mystery and a big build-up to the final reveal.

🚧 How it works: Fill a locked treasure chest with a grand prize and distribute keys as raffle entries—only one unlocks the chest! During your main event, let participants try their keys one by one until someone opens the chest.

💛 Best for: Galas, auctions, and themed events

🌟 Pro tip: Share clues and teaser photos of the chest on social media leading up to your event to build intrigue and excitement. 

17. Golden ticket game 🍫

Tap into your inner Willy Wonka! Add a few golden tickets into your raffle pool to create buzz.

🚧 How it works: Hide a limited number of “golden” tickets among your standard raffle tickets, and promote them as mystery exclusives to boost ticket sales.

💛 Best for: High-end fundraising events or multi-prize raffles

🌶️ Spice things up: Hide a couple of “platinum” tickets around your venue for even more anticipation and hilarity.

Learn more

How to write a raffle prize donation request (free template!) →

18. Heads or tails raffle 🪙

A fast-paced raffle game that’s as simple as flipping a coin. 

🚧 How it works: Participants pay to play and choose either "heads" or "tails." Flip a coin—those who guess correctly stay in the game. Continue until only one person remains standing, and award them the prize.

💛 Best for: Banquets, galas, or trivia night fundraisers

🌶️ Spice things up: Add bonus trivia questions or offer double-or-nothing odds to sell more tickets and keep participants on their toes. 

19. Punch board raffle 🧱

Let supporters pay to punch through for a prize—and bring those game-show vibes—with this fun raffle game.

🚧 How it works: Create a punch board with holes covered in tissue paper. Behind each is a prize, raffle number, or message—ranging from “Thanks for playing!” to “You’ve won a grand prize!”

💛 Best for: In-person fundraising events with high energy and heavy foot traffic 

🌟 Pro tip: A bean bag toss makes a great alternative to a punch board if you want a more physical activity. 

20. Dice roll raffle 🎲

Lucky participants roll the dice to determine their fate—or at least which prize they’ll win.

🚧 How it works: Each ticket purchase allows one roll. Award a larger prize for the highest total and smaller ones for special combos (e.g., doubles).

💛 Best for: Casual events or fundraiser booths

🌶️ Spice things up: Attract more takers with colorful, oversized dice or mix it up with 12- or 20-sided dice for added novelty. 

21. Gift grab raffle 🎁

This suspenseful game is a crowd favorite. The mystery adds to the fun!

🚧 How it works: Number the gifts and tickets, keeping both wrapped and secret. Supporters draw a numbered ticket corresponding to a wrapped prize—they only know what they’ve won after unwrapping.

💛 Best for: Holiday events, school fundraisers, or donor appreciation parties

🌟 Pro tip: Use boxes of all shapes and sizes to make it impossible to know what’s inside—sometimes the smallest package holds the biggest prize! 

22. Trivia raffle 💡

Put your supporters’ brain power to the test and bring out a fun, competitive spirit with trivia.  

🚧 How it works: Participants pay to answer a set of trivia questions. The more they answer correctly, the bigger their prize. Tailor your questions to match your event’s theme or test how well your supporters know your mission!

💛 Best for: Themed events or mission-driven campaigns

🌟 Pro tip: Don’t ask the same questions each time—word travels fast when prizes are on the line! 

23. Scavenger raffle hunt 🗺️

In this playful raffle game, attendees put on their detective hats to search for and collect clues, tickets, or prizes.

🚧 How it works: Hide raffle numbers or mini prizes throughout your event space. Give clues over time or create a riddle-based path. The final clue leads to a grand prize raffle.

💛 Best for: Outdoor fundraisers or multi-hour community events

🌟 Pro tip: For kids especially, be clear on what areas items will be located in—and what areas are off limits. 

24. Plinko board raffle 🔻

Plinko offers a delightful game show moment—and an enjoyable sound.

🚧 How it works: Label prize slots at the bottom of a Plinko board, from candy to gift cards to high-end items. Each ticket gives the participant one chip drop to see what they win.

💛 Best for: Fairs, carnivals, or corporate giving events

🌟 Pro tip: Customize the board to match your event. You can rent a professional board, buy one online, or DIY your own using cardboard and poker chips!  

25. Tiered prize raffle 

Allow people to target the items they’re most interested in—and boost your earnings—with prize tiers.

🚧 How it works: Offer different levels of prizes with varying ticket prices. For example, you could have standard tickets for smaller prizes and premium tickets for a grand prize.

💛 Best for: Events with a wide variety of items and price points 

🌟 Pro tip: Offer a 50/50 raffle or cash prize for even more excitement and incentive. 

Before you start: Know your state laws for raffle games

Please note: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. 

State laws for online raffles

Many states have anti-gambling laws but make exceptions for nonprofit raffles. That said, several states—including Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia—prohibit online raffles entirely (i.e., you can’t sell raffle tickets over the internet). 

In Utah, all raffles are prohibited, not just those conducted online. Other states have restrictions on how raffle tickets can be sold. In Montana, for example, you can’t use a credit card to purchase raffle tickets.

Raffle IRS reporting

Even if your state allows you to host a raffle fundraising event, you may still need to complete some paperwork beforehand. The IRS has strict reporting requirements for raffle prizes, which must be communicated to both prize donors and raffle winners. In addition, you'll need to review the gambling laws in your state. 

Charitable gaming licenses for raffles

In some states, a license is required to fundraise using a raffle. For example: 

• In Washington, DC, you’ll need to apply for a Charitable Games License, show proof of federal tax exemption, and be in good standing with the DC Consumer & Regulatory Affairs office. 
• In Iowa, a Charitable Gambling License is required, along with a fee (up to $150), and your application must be approved at least 30 days prior to your event.

Next steps for hosting a raffle

Bottom line: Check your local laws—and consider hiring an attorney to help you navigate the gambling laws in your state before planning your raffle. If you don't have the budget to seek legal advice or the process feels overwhelming, that’s okay! There are plenty of other great fundraising ideas to explore. (Spoiler alert: The Butter Blog is stacked with fun and effective fundraising strategies!)

Dive deeper

Fundraising ideas for every organization and budget →

How to increase participation in raffle games

You’ve chosen your raffle format and secured some great raffle prizes. Now it’s time to boost engagement and ensure your raffle is a fundraising success. 

Follow these proven strategies to increase participation: 

• Choose the right raffle 🎟️ Different raffles appeal to different audiences. Experiment with a few types to find what resonates most with your supporters. 
• Make prizes relevant 🎁 Use donor segmentation software to analyze your supporters' demographics and preferences. Then, choose raffle prizes your audience will genuinely get excited about. 
• Build anticipation 😊 Generate buzz ahead of raffle day by offering sneak previews of the prizes on social media. Ask supporters to guess what the prizes might be in the comments section to boost engagement. 
• Share your goals 🎯 If you have a specific fundraising goal, share it! Transparency is key for effective donor stewardship and helps supporters feel more connected to your cause. 
• Price tickets wisely 💵  Set ticket prices based on your prize values—and your audience. Raffle tickets are typically priced between $1 and $10. 

Build excitement for your cause with raffle games

Hosting a charitable raffle is a fun and effective way to raise funds for your cause—just be sure to check your state’s gambling laws before diving.

Even for nonprofits, raffle laws can be quite prohibitive. We recommend partnering with a knowledgeable attorney who can help guide you through the legal process. Once you have the green light, you can apply for any necessary licenses or submit a charitable gaming application, then start planning your event with confidence.

Looking for an easy way to manage your fundraiser? Sign up for a free Givebutter account today to set your raffle up for success.

FAQs: Top questions on raffle game ideas 

What are the best basket raffle ideas? 

The most successful basket party raffle ideas are centered on a particular theme. Popular options include spa day, beach day, pet care, wine, cooking, or gardening. Bonus points if one of your baskets ties into your mission. 

How can I make my raffle more interesting? 

Add a unique twist like hidden reveals, 50/50 raffles, themed baskets, or a double-or-nothing option to give your raffle more energy and intrigue. 

What kind of raffle makes the most money? 

There’s no single type of raffle guaranteed to raise the most money, but online raffles are an excellent way to broaden your reach—47% of donors support nonprofits through online raffles. The most successful raffle for your organization will depend on your mission, audience, resources, and goals. 

What are good game raffle ideas? 

Gamify your fundraiser with formats like 50/50, reverse, or mystery prize raffles. Incorporating well-known games like bingo or Scrabble is another creative way to liven things up.