Competitions and raffles
Art Unions, raffles, bingo, lucky envelopes, Calcutta sweeps and promotional games (trade promotions or competitions) are regulated under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999. Under the Act, these different games are broken into four categories listed below.
Category 1 games:
- Includes raffles, sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
- Gross proceeds are not more than $2,000
- Can be conducted by an non-profit association, and in limited cases, an individual.
- Guideline - Category 1 games up to $2000 gross proceeds (PDF 55 K)
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for conduct of games under the Charitable and Non-profit gaming Act 1999 (PDF 115 K)
Category 2 games
- Includes raffles, sweeps, Calcutta sweeps, football doubles, lucky door prizes, bingo
- Gross proceeds are more than $2,000 but not more than $20,000
- Can be conducted by an eligible non-profit association.
- Guideline - Category 2 games for more than $2000 but not more than $20,000 gross proceeds (PDF 75 K)
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for conduct of games under the Charitable and Non-profit gaming Act 1999 (PDF 115 K)
- Auditor’s certificate (PDF 55 K)
Category 3 games
- Includes raffles or art unions
- Gross proceeds are over $20,000
- Can be conducted by an eligible incorporated non-profit association
- Requires a licence or permit.
- Guideline - Category 3 games for more than $20,000 gross proceeds (PDF 75 K)
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for conduct of games under the Charitable and Non-profit gaming Act 1999 (PDF 115 K)
- Form 2A - Category 3 gaming licence application/renewal (PDF 315 K)
- Auditor’s certificate (PDF 55 K)
Special Category 3 games
An applicant for a special category 3 gaming licence must be a person intending to conduct a single art union for the welfare or benefit of:
- individuals who need help because of a disaster or
- a disadvantaged individual.
- Guideline - Category 3 games for more than $20,000 gross proceeds (PDF 75 K)
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for conduct of games under the Charitable and Non-profit gaming Act 1999 (PDF 115 K)
- Form 2C - Special category 3 gaming licence application (PDF 105 K)
- Auditor’s certificate (PDF 55 K)
Category 4 Promotional Games (trade promotions)
- Are free entry draws conducted to promote goods or services
- Any person may conduct a promotional game, however are normally conducted by businesses to promote the sale of products
- Do not require a permit or licence however the person conducting the competition must comply with the legislative requirements.
- Guideline - Category 4 Promotional games (PDF 40 K)
Tipping Competitions
- Can be conducted by an individual or an association
- All proceeds must be returned to the players as prizes.
- Guideline - Tipping competitions (PDF 30 K)
Bingo Centres
A bingo centre licence is required for premises where two or more eligible associations conduct, between or amongst them more than 25 bingo sessions each week.
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for bingo and lucky envelopes (PDF 170 K)
- Form 2D - Bingo centre licence application – (PDF 140 K)
Lucky Envelopes
Lucky envelopes are a type of pre-determined lottery. They are sold as break-open type tickets where the correct combination of numbers/letters/pictures on the tickets produces a winner.
- Lucky envelopes can be conducted by an eligible association
- An eligible association must not sell lucky envelopes unless the envelopes have been printed under a lucky envelopes printer’s licence.
- Form 2B - Lucky envelope printer licence application (PDF 150 K)
- Guideline - Printers and sellers lucky envelopes up to $5000 gross proceeds (PDF 40 K)
- Guideline - Recordkeeping for bingo and lucky envelopes (PDF 170 K)
Last reviewed 12 November 2010