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Mark Hammond

Raffles

Raffles are governed by the Nonprofit Raffles for Charitable Purposes Act found in S.C. Code of Laws Title 33, Chapter 57. Only qualified nonprofit organizations as defined in §33-57-120(A) are eligible to conduct raffles. Unless specifically excluded from registration under the Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, an organization that wishes to conduct raffles must be registered with the Secretary of State’s Division of Public Charities.

Generally, in order to conduct a raffle, a nonprofit organization must file an annual raffle registration form (PDF) with the Division of Public Charities. Registered organizations are also required to file an annual raffle financial report (PDF).

However, if an organization only conducts “exempt” raffles, it is not required to file a raffle registration or annual raffle financial report. “Exempt” raffles are different from “nonexempt” raffles (PDF) in terms of prize limits, raffle participants, and frequency of raffle events.

Recently, South Carolina Secretary of State Mark Hammond hosted a Nonprofit Raffles Virtual Seminar. This seminar covered the legal requirements for holding nonprofit raffles in South Carolina, as well as the filing of raffle registrations and financial reports using the online filing portal for the Public Charities Division. We have also provided this information in a downloadable (PDF) and printable format that follows along with this video.

Non-compliance with the Nonprofit Raffles for Charitable Purposes Act, including but not limited to failure to submit all forms and documents in a timely manner, will result in the assessment of administrative fines as well as criminal prosecution. The Secretary of State may, upon his own motion or the complaint of any person, investigate persons and organizations that violate South Carolina law governing raffles.

For information on the legal requirements of nonprofit raffles in South Carolina, please see our Nonprofit Raffles Brochure (PDF).

If you would like to file a complaint about a nonprofit raffle, please submit the Charitable Solicitation Complaint Form or contact the Secretary of State’s Investigations Division at investigations@sos.sc.gov or (803) 734-1790.

All documents and correspondence should be mailed to:
SC Secretary of State's Office
Attn: Charities Division
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525 
Columbia, SC 29201
charities@sos.sc.gov
Telephone inquiries may be directed to (803) 734-1790