thread Creating a raffle using Square in Archived Discussions (Read Only)

Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

mljudd — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 01:31:56 GMT

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit hosting a virtual fundraiser in Michigan instead of an in-person event due to the pandemic. We have a raffle license and would like to clarify whether or not we can in fact sell 50/50 tickets, raffle tickets for cash prizes, and raffle tickets for donated goods & services on our square site.

The seller policy states the following is prohibited:

Betting, including lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, Fantasy Football, off-track betting, and wagers at races

I am not sure if our raffles are considered betting as defined by Square, or if our offerings are permissible since we are operating with a State of Michigan Rafle License. Would like to hear from a Square staffer before we proceed.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

AshleyK — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:19:57 GMT

Hey! Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the Seller Community. I'm glad you asked. 50/50 raffles would be prohibited as they offer a cash prize. Unfortunately we can not accept payments for these types of events, even for charitable causes.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

mljudd — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:14:30 GMT

When I contacted support it sounded like selling raffle tickets for prizes was absolutely okay. The differences is in whether the prize is a physical item or cash, correct?

What about an event ticket that includes an entry into a drawing for cash prizes? Is that considered a 50/50?

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

AshleyK — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:27:30 GMT

I would err on the side of caution and not do 50/50 events through Square at all. I checked with our Account Services team directly and the answer above is what I received.

Creating a raffle using Square

DraftDr — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 19:47:57 GMT

I'm looking to do an online raffle using Square to sell tickets. Can you suggest how I could use the Square platform to do this rather seamlessly? I thought about using an item in the online store and then using the individual order or confirmation numbers as ticket numbers, thoughts?

Re: Creating a raffle using Square

Kassi_ — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:51:10 GMT

Hey there, @DraftDr -

Welcome to the Community & thank you for posting.

Check out this thread on our Raffle Policy for some clarification. @AshleyK was able to provide some insight!

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you!

Re: Creating a raffle using Square

DraftDr — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:23:11 GMT

Ok that is good to know, thank you for the information. Cheers!

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

SavElks — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:08:20 GMT

We are also a 501(c)3 organization and are holding a raffle for prizes. Would this be acceptable, and how can I go about setting this up in square

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

Kassi_ — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:52:30 GMT

Welcome to the Community, @SavElks -

Happy to see a new face here!

What kind of prizes will be in the raffle? Any cash prizes would make it prohibited.

I will keep an eye out for your reply👀.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

SavElks — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:55:07 GMT

The prizes are guns provided by our local Armory. No cash and no other prizes.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

Kassi_ — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:59:22 GMT

Ah okay, @SavElks. You would not be able to use Square for this raffle either.

Any gun sales or raffles are prohibited and would result in the account being deactivated. It's a violation of our Terms of Service.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

SavElks — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:11:27 GMT

Understood. Thank you

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

kofc2141 — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 19:40:35 GMT

We are a 501(c)8 non-profit organization. We are interested in selling raffle tickets using our Square account. The raffle prizes would be gift cards. For example, first prize could be store-bought gift cards (worth $500), second prize could be store-bought gift cards (worth $250). Would we be allowed to have folks purchase a ticket ($5 ea) or tickets ($20/5 tickets) toward this raffle using Square? These would be non-cash prizes. Folks purchasing online would receive a photo of their tickets with ticket numbers and filled out information after purchase. Thanks.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

frances_a — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:09:22 GMT

Hi @kofc2141, welcome to the community!

In this case, because the prizes are cash value, you wouldn't be able to use Square to sell tickets, unfortunately.

See you soon!

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

jean649 — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 04:38:11 GMT

Hi,

We are a 501(c)3 and are looking to hold a raffle where the prizes would be trips (airline tickets, hotel, sightseeing trips), a quilt, a health club membership, packages put together by local vendors (shoes, training, entry into running events) etc. Would these items be permissible? If so, is there a guide on the best way to set something like this up in Square? Thank you.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

JJ_ — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 22:58:26 GMT

He there @jean649 you should be able to sell raffle tickets on Square as long as the Items are not in our Prohibited Goods and Services with Square Point of Sale document.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

Jayv2251 — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 19:41:06 GMT

Not sure if this falls into the prohibited items list. I offer knife sharpening as a service for all knives but particularly advertising toward culinary knives. I most recently sharpened some woodworking knives as well for a client. I was thinking of a different type of raffle. I would be offering a chance (1 raffle ticket) per knife I sharpen for them. The only sale is, as always just the knife sharpening service. The reward for the customer is more knives sharpened by me, the better opportunity for them to receive a free knife, at no extra cost to my clients. I have additional questions but need to know if what I am proposing is acceptible or not before proceeding.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

JJ_ — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 15:48:31 GMT

Hey there @Jayv2251

As long as the items aren't in our Prohibited Goods and Services with Square Point of Sale document and don't have a Cash Value attached to them you should be good.

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

Jayv2251 — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:46:02 GMT

I can see needing to regulate such items as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. I work with knives though. I currently offer a sharpening service for knives, scissors, and tools. It is my hope to also expand into offering knives for sale as well. (custom knives and licensed distributorship for other companies) The term "knife" can mean many things. Some might see a weapon, but in the time I've been doing this, I've been sharpening culinary knives, work knives, carving knives, woodworking knives, hunting knives, and butcher knives. Who is going to determine if something is a weapon or if it's a tool??? It's a rather subjective area...

Re: Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

Donnie-M — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 12:37:05 GMT

@Jayv2251 I can see that knives are not prohibited unless they are marketed for use as self defense or to cause bodily harm. The terms of service has a key phrase here: "weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury". I think the "and" is very significant and is grouped under the sub point "ii". Anything designed for self defense would be considered a weapon at the time and also anything designed to hurt someone such as a billy club. Those types clearly are designed for one purpose only. Even state laws will define what kinds of knives are weapons and when I went to culinary school I carried a knife bag and digital scales for weighing items in baking. Those could be also considered weapon and drug paraphernalia except I was going to culinary school and didn't have a bunch of little baggies of illegal substances.

So yes, it is all about the intent and the marketing from what I know. I think you would be fine but square is always the final judge. Just don't market the knives as so sharp they will chop the arm off a home intruder and you should be good!