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The rules in Texas (under the Texas Charitable Raffle Enabling Act) are
your organization must meet one of the following in order to conduct a raffle.
An association organized primarily for religious purposes that has been in existance in Texas for at least 10 years.
A NPO that has existed for at least 3 years.
The organization conducting the raffle may not compensate a person directly or indirectly.
An institution of higher education, shall allow the sale of tickets to a raffle by a student organization recognized by the institution.
Money cannot be offered as a prize, and prizes may not be valued over $25,000. Each prize must be in posession of the organization, or the organization must post a bond for the full amount of the value of the prize(s) with the counter clerk of the county where the raffle will be held.
Then there's a bunch of rules saying what they have to have on there, and your limited to how many times a year you can do it.
Anyway gambling, this is in reference to doing Casino Nights etc in Texas. In texas three basic elements comprise the offense of gambling consideration, chance, and prize.
Consideration, if there is an admission charge there is an element of consideration. If there is no admission charge and all the guests are given gaming peices then there is no consideration.
Chance, well.... this one you can't really avoid.
Prize: Prize is something offered that has a value. Certificates or trophies have no resale value would not be considered prizes. If there is no charge for gaming peices then prizes of value can be auctioned or given away based on willing.
Suggested Formats
1) Element of Consideration Missing: No Admission Charge (isnt condusive to fund raising).
2) Element of Chance Missing: Substitute games of chance with games of skill.
3) Element of Prize is missing: Door-Prize drawing during or at the end of event. Award certificates or trophies to high stakes winners.
Anyway this is probobly more than you neeeded to know. But hey, gives anyone in texas the info they need.
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