Occasionally, departments, student organizations, or other groups plan to host raffles or events with door prizes to raise money to benefit Augusta University or a group affiliated with Augusta University. Under Georgia law generally, however, gambling is illegal. “Gambling” includes raffles or door prize events where participants pay for a chance to win an item of value.
There is an exception to this law for tax-exempt entities: Raffle events may be authorized by advance permit to raise money for a non-profit, tax-exempt church, school, civic organization, or related support group. See Official Code of Georgia Annotated Section 16-12-22.1.
Accordingly, departments or groups interested in hosting a fund raising event using a raffle or door prizes (where participants must pay to have a chance to win) must complete an application form for a raffle permit through the Augusta, Georgia License and Inspection Department (phone: 706-312-5053; fax: 706-796-5037) well in advance of the event. (Note that $100 permit fee is often waived for tax exempt organizations.)
Please contact the our office at 706-721-4018 should you need additional advice.
This does not apply if participants do not have to pay or contribute in order to win.
