How to Run a 50/50 Raffle

A 50/50 raffle is one of the easiest ways to raise money at a game, concert, block party, or association meeting. Half the ticket sales go to your organization; half go to one lucky winner. Setup is simple and the pitch writes itself, "a chance to win some money and help our neighborhood.".

This guide covers how 50/50 raffles work, what to prepare, and how to sell tickets smoothly – including running cashless raffles using a point-of-sale system.

What is a 50/50 raffle?

Participants buy tickets (often $5, $10, or $20 each). At drawing time, 50% of gross sales fund your association; 50% goes to the randomly selected ticket holder.

Example: $2,000 in ticket sales → $1,000 for the association, $1,000 jackpot for the winner.

Instead of simply asking for donations, 50/50 raffles provide a way to raise money that's simple, fun, and effective.

Why associations love 50/50 raffles

They're genuinely fun — 50/50 raffles inject excitement and friendly competition into any event. Watching the jackpot grow and waiting for the winning ticket is a thrill for attendees.

Self-marketing jackpot — The growing prize attracts attention, and many people already know how raffles work.

Low upfront cost — There's no inventory to manage and tickets are cheap and easy to get.

Works at almost any gathering — Sports fields, farmers markets, concerts, holiday events – you name it.

How a 50/50 raffle works: Double coupon raffle tickets

The heart of a 50/50 raffle is the double coupon ticket – a small roll where each raffle ticket number appears twice: once on the left stub, and once on the right. These are joined by a perforated edge.

Here's how the mechanics unfold:

Sell the tickets: As participants buy tickets, tear each ticket along the perforation. Give one half—their numbered ticket(s)—to the purchaser. The other (matching-numbered) half goes into your "drawing bucket" or bowl.

Every ticket has a matching pair: This ensures that for every number you sell, one stub goes to a buyer and one stub stays with the event organizer. No extra writing or registration is needed—everyone's entry is automatically tracked by their ticket number.

Mix them up: Before drawing, shake or mix the stubs you kept thoroughly – give it a good random shuffle.

Draw the winner: When it's time to announce, pull a ticket from your set. Read the number out loud.

Winning ticket-holder claims the pot: Whoever is holding the matching ticket from their purchase comes forward to claim half the jackpot. If no one claims the number (or someone has left), you redraw until a winner steps forward.

This double ticket system is what makes 50/50 raffles simple, fair, and foolproof—no spreadsheets or last-minute scrambling required!

What do you need to sell 50/50 raffle tickets?

To run a smooth and successful 50/50 raffle, you'll need to set up a few basics before the event kicks off:

Raffle tickets: The double coupon rolls — enough for your crowd and anticipated sales.

People to sell tickets: Recruit outgoing volunteers to staff tables and roam the event. Mobile sellers can dramatically increase participation, especially at large or outdoor events.

Payment options: Decide upfront if you'll accept cash, credit/debit cards, or both. Prepare your point of sale solutions if you're going to accept credit cards.

A way to track total sales: Keep a running tally of tickets sold and total money collected, separated by cash and card if needed. This ensures you can accurately split the proceeds at drawing time.

Drawing time decided in advance: Announce when the winner will be picked as you sell tickets. Set a fixed time that's easy for everyone to remember. For example, at a recent neighborhood soccer game, we let everyone know the 50/50 winner would be pulled at the 60th minute—folks stuck around for the announcement, making the drawing a fun, communal moment.

With these essentials in place, you’ll be ready to maximize participation, avoid confusion, and make your 50/50 raffle a memorable event highlight.

Before the event: checklist

1. Confirm legality

Raffle laws vary by state, county, and city. Some require:

A charitable gaming license or permit

Registered nonprofit status

Maximum ticket prices or reporting thresholds

Contact your state attorney general's office or municipal clerk early.

2. Purchase double coupon raffle tickets

You can get these for about $20/1000 tickets at a store like Office Depot. Simple.

3. Set your ticket prices and prepare any signage

Consider a sliding scale to boost sales and build a bigger pot:

$1 per ticket—simple for quick buyers

Bundles to encourage volume, like 12 tickets for $10 or 30 tickets for $20 (works out to $0.67 per ticket and feels like a deal)

"Arm's length for $20" is a fun, popular option—about 30 tickets stretched fingertip to shoulder, making the purchase feel festive and generous.

Print off simple, clear signs listing ticket prices and bundles—place them at the raffle table and anywhere sellers roam. When people know the options upfront, they are more likely to buy (and buy larger bundles). Visible prices also help your volunteers pitch consistently and reduce confusion during busy sales periods.

4. Choose your payment setup

Accept cash and/or cards. A mobile point-of-sale that works without Wi‑Fi (cellular connection) lets sellers roam bleachers and parking lots.

5. Prepare you volunteers

Station volunteers at entrances and high-traffic spots. At larger venues, send mobile sellers with a belt bag or handheld card reader to work the stands. Soccer games, concerts, and festivals sell far more tickets when sellers walk the crowd than when they wait at one table.

During the event: sales tips

Lead with the cause: "Half supports Oakwood playground fund—you might win half the pot."

Bundle tickets: People are tempted to make a bigger donation with bulk pricing. 30 tickets for $20 sells more than $1/ticket.

Announce cutoff times tell people when they buy when to listen for the winner announcement.

Running the draw

Stop sales at the announced time.

Count gross sales; calculate 50% for winner.

Draw one ticket stub from the container; read the number aloud.

Verify the winner's matching stub before paying.

Pay the winner.

Record gross, net to association, expenses (license fee, POS fees), etc.

What to expect

50/50 results scale with crowd size and mobility of sellers. Here is: event size, followed by typical gross sales, and amount raisted.

Small meeting (50 people)

$50–$150

$25–$75

Community game (300+ attendees)

$250–$700

$125–$350

Major festival

$1,000+

$500+

Your first raffle may be modest. Iterate: better signage, roaming sellers, and card acceptance usually beat adding new prize types.

Try a 50/50 raffle at your next event

A 50/50 raffle is low risk, high energy fundraising idea that works. Instead of simply asking for donations, 50/50 raffles provide a way to raise money that's simple, fun, and effective.