Local Raffles in San Diego, CA: Updated 2026 List for Local Winners

San Diego doesn't have a centralized, official "list for local winners" the way the title might suggest. Instead, raffles here are run by individual nonprofit organizations that maintain their own websites, rules, and draw schedules. The California Attorney General's office oversees all legal raffles through its Registry of Charitable Trusts, but there's no single San Diego city database where you can find every active raffle at once.

What exists instead is a collection of established nonprofits—primarily Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego (RMHC), the San Diego Padres Foundation, and the Hoehn Motors organization—that conduct regular, regulated raffles open to local residents and visitors. The most prominent raffle currently running is the RMHC San Diego Giving Back Raffle, which held its draw on July 16, 2026. That raffle offered a grand prize package including a luxury home in Del Mar, twelve high-end vehicles, and international travel experiences.

Ticket prices ranged from $150 for a single entry to $550 for a five-pack, and you had to be at least 18 years old and physically present in California to purchase. This example illustrates how San Diego raffles operate: they're legitimate, heavily regulated, and tied directly to specific nonprofit organizations with clear prize structures and legal oversight. Understanding the landscape requires recognizing that "updated 2026 list" means looking at what active nonprofits currently operate raffles, not consulting a single master document.

Each organization publishes its own raffle details, entry rules, and drawings independently.

What Nonprofit-Run Raffles Are Currently Operating in San Diego?

The three most established raffles in San Diego come from well-known nonprofits. RMHC San Diego runs the Giving Back Raffle, which is their flagship fundraiser. The San Diego Padres Foundation conducts 50/50 raffles during Petco Park home games throughout the season.

Hoehn Motors, working in partnership with RMHC-SD, runs an annual luxury car raffle that has been operating for 15 years and has raised $6.2 million total for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each organization has its own ticket pricing, prize structure, and eligibility requirements. Beyond these three major players, smaller local nonprofits may occasionally run limited raffles, but these three represent the most accessible and visible options for San Diego residents.

The Padres Foundation 50/50 raffle, for instance, operates at every home game, making it the most frequently available option. RMHC's flagship raffle typically draws once per year with the largest prize packages. Hoehn Motors raffles annually and is specifically known for vehicles and cash alternatives.

Finding these raffles requires going directly to each organization's website or contacting them by phone. There is no city government resource or single aggregator that lists all active San Diego raffles in one place, which is important to understand when searching for local raffle opportunities.

How California Law Shapes What San Diego Raffles Can Offer

Every raffle in San Diego, regardless of which nonprofit runs it, must follow California Penal Code Section 320.5. This law requires that at least 90% of gross receipts from raffle ticket sales go to charitable or beneficial purposes. The remaining 10% or less can cover expenses and prizes.

This structure means that San Diego nonprofits cannot pocket large percentages of ticket sales—the law mandates that the vast majority of money raised goes to the nonprofit's mission. Additionally, California law restricts who can run raffles. Only registered tax-exempt nonprofits that have operated in California for at least one year are legally permitted to conduct raffles.

This requirement protects consumers from unlicensed operators. A raffle run by an unregistered organization or a for-profit company is illegal in California. The state's Attorney General maintains a Registry of Charitable Trusts where registered nonprofits can be verified, though San Diego itself has no separate city-level raffle licensing board.

One critical limitation that affects all San Diego raffles is the prohibition on online sales. California law explicitly forbids selling raffle tickets over the internet, trading them online, or redeeming them through digital means. Raffle tickets must be purchased in person.

This means you cannot buy RMHC or Padres Foundation raffle tickets through a website checkout; you must obtain them at a physical location or event. This is a major difference from sweepstakes and online giveaways that operate under different legal frameworks.

RMHC San Diego Giving Back Raffle: Ticket Prices, Prize Structure, and Entry Requirements

The RMHC San Diego Giving Back Raffle is the most prominent single-draw raffle in the region. In 2026, the organization offered a grand prize package that included a luxury residential property in Del Mar, twelve luxury vehicles (including high-end cars), and international travel experiences as secondary prizes. The draw was held on July 16, 2026.

Ticket pricing was structured in tiers: a single entry cost $150, a three-pack bundle was $400 (saving $50 compared to individual purchases), and a five-pack was $550 (a savings of $200). To enter the RMHC raffle, you must be at least 18 years old and physically present in California at the time of purchase. You cannot buy tickets remotely or have someone else purchase them on your behalf.

RMHC San Diego provides raffle details and purchasing instructions on their website at sdraffle.com. If you have questions about how the raffle works, the eligibility requirements, or prize claims, you can contact them at [email protected] or by phone at 1-833-524-2128. The RMHC raffle example shows how a major San Diego nonprofit structures its fundraiser: transparent pricing, clear prize details published in advance, and multiple ticket purchase options to accommodate different budgets.

The prize package also illustrates how California's 90% proceeds rule works in practice—the majority of ticket sales revenue goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego's mission, supporting families of children receiving treatment at local hospitals.

Padres Foundation 50/50 Raffle vs. Traditional Prize Raffles: How They Differ

The San Diego Padres Foundation 50/50 raffle operates on a fundamentally different model than the RMHC raffle. In a 50/50 raffle, half of the gross ticket sales go to the nonprofit and half go to the raffle winner. The draw typically happens during Petco Park home games.

This means the grand prize amount varies depending on how many tickets sold for that particular raffle. In contrast, the RMHC raffle has a fixed, predetermined grand prize regardless of how many tickets are sold. The Padres 50/50 raffle offers flexible ticket purchasing.

Tickets are sold in tiers: $25 for 10 entries, $50 for 50 entries, $100 for 250 entries, and $150 for 619 entries. The more entries you buy, the lower your per-entry cost. These tickets are available at Petco Park during home games.

Because the winner's prize depends on total ticket sales, a large game night could mean a larger prize pool than a regular season game with lower attendance. The 50/50 structure appeals to different players than traditional raffles. With RMHC's raffle, you know exactly what prizes you're competing for.

With the Padres 50/50, the thrill involves the uncertainty of the prize pool size—winning means splitting whatever was raised that day. California Penal Code Section 320.6 specifically authorizes 50/50 raffles at major league sports events, recognizing them as a distinct category of fundraising.

Legal Restrictions That Affect All San Diego Raffle Players

Beyond the prohibition on online ticket sales, San Diego raffle participants should know that nonprofits conducting raffles must maintain detailed records for at least four years. This includes ticket logs, sales records, prize information, and financial statements. These records are retained so state auditors can verify that organizations are complying with the 90% proceeds requirement.

As a player, this doesn't directly affect you, but it means that legitimate San Diego raffles have a paper trail and accountability system. Another important restriction is that raffles must be reported separately to the state. Nonprofits must file a raffle report by September 1 each year for the previous fiscal period.

This ongoing reporting and record-keeping requirement exists precisely to protect consumers and ensure that charities are using raffle proceeds appropriately. If a nonprofit is conducting a raffle, that raffle must be documented with the Attorney General's office. Additionally, you should be aware that ticket purchases are typically final and non-refundable.

Some raffles may have a cancellation policy, but in general, once you buy a raffle ticket, you are committing that money to the draw. If you win nothing, the money is gone. This is different from a purchase where you receive a product or service.

Understanding this from the start helps you make an informed decision about whether to participate.

Hoehn Motors Luxury Car Raffle: A 15-Year San Diego Tradition

Hoehn Motors has been running a luxury car raffle in partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego for 15 years, making it one of the longest-running raffles in the region. In 2025, the raffle winner was Ludovic Coutinho, a San Diego resident, who won a choice between a 2026 Porsche Macan or $80,000 in cash. This example demonstrates how car raffles typically allow winners to choose between a vehicle or a cash equivalent, protecting winners who may not want or be able to use the offered vehicle.

Over its 15-year history, the Hoehn Motors raffle has raised $6.2 million total for RMHC-SD. This amounts to an average of approximately $413,000 per year dedicated to Ronald McDonald House Charities' work supporting families with hospitalized children. The raffle's track record illustrates how consistent annual raffles become established community events and meaningful revenue sources for local nonprofits.

How to Verify a San Diego Raffle Is Legitimate Before You Buy

Before purchasing any raffle ticket in San Diego, verify that the nonprofit running the raffle is registered with California's Attorney General Registry of Charitable Trusts. You can check this registry on the California Department of Justice website. A legitimate raffle will always be operated by a registered nonprofit, never by a private individual, business, or unlicensed group.

Be cautious if someone offers raffle tickets outside an official channel or without clear nonprofit affiliation. Second, confirm that the organization publishes clear information about how ticket sales are conducted, what the prizes are, when the draw will occur, and how winners are determined. RMHC, the Padres Foundation, and Hoehn Motors all provide this information upfront on their websites or at their physical locations.

If an organization is vague about prize details, draw timing, or eligibility requirements, that's a red flag. Legitimate San Diego raffles are transparent about their structure. Additionally, verify that tickets can only be purchased in person in California—if someone offers to sell you San Diego raffle tickets online or ship them to another state, that operation is not complying with California law and should be avoided.

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