Are Raffles Legal in Pennsylvania? 2026 Rules and New Online Raffles

Yes, for licensed nonprofits. Under the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, eligible organizations can hold raffles with a license from their county, in municipalities that allow small games of chance. Two laws enacted October 22, 2026 let fire companies sell raffle tickets online and let licensed groups take card and electronic payments for tickets.

Last checked: October 27, 2026 against the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act on the Pennsylvania General Assembly's site. Details can change.

This article summarizes the statute, the 2026 amending acts and Department of Revenue guidance. It is general information, not legal advice. Before running a raffle, check with your county treasurer or a Pennsylvania attorney.

The Pennsylvania raffle law

The Department of Revenue explains that Pennsylvania law treats all gambling as illegal unless a statute authorizes it. For raffles, that statute is the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act (Act 156 of 1988). It is a local option law: voters in a municipality can decide by referendum whether small games of chance licenses may be issued there (Section 703).

Who can hold a raffle

Eligible organizations include charitable, religious, fraternal and veterans' organizations, clubs, civic and service associations, and affiliated nonprofits of major league sports teams. Revenue says an organization must have existed and been fulfilling its purpose for one year to qualify.

• License: Issued by the county treasurer, or by a designee of the governing body in a home-rule county or a city of the first class. A regular annual license costs $125, and a monthly license for 30 consecutive days costs $25 (Section 307(b.1)).
• Proceeds: Must be used for public interest purposes, the purchase of games, or license fees (Section 301). Club licensees may keep part of their proceeds for expenses.
• Taverns: Bars and restaurants licensed for tavern gaming by the Liquor Control Board may hold one tavern raffle per calendar month, and at least 50% of net revenue must go to the designated charity within seven days (Section 908.1).

Prize limits

• $2,000 maximum prize for any single chance (Section 302(a)).
• $35,000 in total prizes from all games in any seven-day period (Section 302(b)). The 2026 acts raise this to $60,000, effective 60 days after enactment.
• $15,000 in raffle prizes per calendar month (Section 302(c)).
• Special permits: A raffle with individual prizes over $3,000 needs a special permit from the licensing authority, with a fee of up to $25 (Section 308(a)). An organization may receive up to 10 permits per license term, or 12 for volunteer fire, ambulance, rescue or conservation groups that are not club licensees. Total prizes under special permits are capped at $150,000 per calendar year. Volunteer fire, ambulance, rescue and conservation groups may award up to $100,000 more (Section 302(d) and (d.1)).

Other rules: no one under 18 may operate or play (Section 307(d)(1)). Prizes and their dollar values may not be advertised, except on raffle tickets and in member-only publications (Section 704). Tickets may be discounted, bundled, given free or awarded as prizes (Section 303.1).

What changed in October 2026

Two bills became law on October 22, 2026, according to the General Assembly's records:

• Act 93 of 2026 (SB 398): Adds Section 309, which lets a fire company with a valid small games of chance license "conduct raffles over the Internet." Buyers may pay only by debit or credit card. The fire company must verify that each buyer is in Pennsylvania at the time of sale and is at least 18. This section took effect immediately and expires December 31, 2027.
• Act 94 of 2026 (SB 416): Adds Section 301.2, which lets licensed eligible organizations accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payment services or other electronic payments for raffle tickets. The organization must verify buyers are 18 or older and located in Pennsylvania. Tavern gaming licensees may not accept mobile payment services. This act takes effect 60 days after enactment.
• Both acts raise the weekly prize cap to $60,000 and let club licensees keep up to 50% of proceeds (previously 40%), effective in 60 days.

The Department of Revenue's overview (REV-1750, dated March 2026) predates these changes.

Penalties

A non-club eligible organization faces civil penalties of up to $500, $1,000 and $1,500 for first, second and later violations (Section 706). Criminally, an organization commits a summary offense with fines up to $1,000 for a first offense and $1,500 after that, plus license forfeiture. An individual who conducts or helps conduct games in violation of the act commits a summary offense, then a third-degree misdemeanor for a second violation and a first-degree misdemeanor for a third or later violation (Section 707).

Raffle vs. sweepstakes

The Department of Revenue describes gambling as having three elements: "(1) consideration, (2) chance, and (3) prize or reward." A promotional sweepstakes is usually set up differently: it offers a free way to enter, so no one has to pay for a chance to win. That "no purchase necessary" design is the main line between the two categories. Whether a specific promotion is lawful still depends on its official rules and state law.

For a fuller comparison, see our guide to sweepstakes vs. raffles vs. lotteries, or browse our sweepstakes FAQ.

Bottom line

Raffles are legal in Pennsylvania for licensed eligible organizations in municipalities that allow small games of chance, within the act's prize limits. As of October 22, 2026, licensed fire companies may also sell raffle tickets online through 2027, and other licensed groups will be able to take card and electronic payments once Act 94 takes effect. Your county treasurer is the place to confirm licensing and local status.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license to hold a raffle in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Under Section 307 of the Local Option Small Games of Chance Act, an eligible organization needs a license from its licensing authority, usually the county treasurer. A regular annual license costs $125 and a monthly license costs $25.

Are online raffles legal in Pennsylvania?

Only for fire companies, for now. Act 93 of 2026 lets a fire company with a small games of chance license conduct raffles over the internet, with debit or credit card payment and checks that buyers are 18 or older and in Pennsylvania. That section expires December 31, 2027.

What is the raffle prize limit in Pennsylvania?

The general limits are $2,000 per single chance and $15,000 in raffle prizes per calendar month. Raffles with prizes over $3,000 each need a special permit, and special-permit prizes are capped at $150,000 per year, with an extra $100,000 allowed for volunteer fire, ambulance, rescue and conservation groups.

Can you buy Pennsylvania raffle tickets with a credit card?

Act 94 of 2026 allows licensed eligible organizations to accept credit cards, debit cards, mobile payment services and other electronic payments for raffle tickets, with age and location checks. It takes effect 60 days after its October 22, 2026 enactment.

How old do you have to be to play a raffle in Pennsylvania?

At least 18. The act prohibits licensed eligible organizations from letting anyone under 18 operate or play games of chance.