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Raffle and Bazaar (Casino Night) Permits

A Raffle is defined in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 271 Section 7A as an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets, certain among which, as determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holder to prizes.

A Bazaar (Casino Night/Vegas Night) is defined in MGL 271:7A as a place maintained by the sponsoring organization for disposal by means of chance, one or both of the following types of prizes: (1) merchandise of any value and/or (2) cash awards, not to exceed $250 each.

Organizations holding Raffles/Bazaar permits are responsible for adhering to the regulations outlined in Chapter 271, Section 7A. There are additional regulations promulgated by the Attorney General in 940 CMR 12.00 for Raffles in which the value of prizes exceeds $10,000 or in which the ticket prizes exceed $10.00. Bazaars (Casino Nights/Vegas Nights) are also governed by 940 CMR 13.00.

Who Can Run a Raffle or Bazaar? 

An organized and actively functioning nonprofit organization in Massachusetts for at least 2 years, such as a:

  1. Veteran’s organization chartered by the Congress of the U.S. or included in clause (12) of section five of chapter forty of the General Laws; or
  2. Church or religious organization; or
  3. Fraternal or fraternal benefit society (i.e., Masons); or
  4. Educational or charitable organization (i.e., PTA, Boosters); or
  5. Civic or service clubs or organizations (i.e., Woman’s Club Jrs., Lions’ Club); or
  6. Clubs or organizations organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, or other nonprofit purposes, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member or shareholder. (i.e., Friends of Hockey).

How Do I Apply for a Raffle/Bazaar Permit?

  • The group sponsoring the event must be actively functioning as a non-profit organization registered with the State of Massachusetts for the past two (2) years.  Officers of the group and/or persons responsible for the raffle within the group should review Chapter 271 Section 7A and these frequently asked questions prior to applying for a permit.
  • Applications are available online or at the Town Clerk’s Office. If the drawing will occur in Hanover, the permit must be from Hanover. Tickets may be sold in any town. 
  • In addition to the application, the applicant needs to also submit a current copy of the non-profit organization’s Articles of Organization, the Certificate of Registration or six digit “AG account number” from Attorney General’s Division of Public Charities, the Certificate of Exemption (Form ST-2) and/or 501(c)(3) from Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and a Letter of Authorization from the organization (charity) stating that “John/Jane Doe” (the person applying for the permit) is acting on behalf of the charity. 
  • All completed materials need to be submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office at least 2 weeks before the raffle or bazaar event.

What Happens After I Submit My Complete Application?

  • The Town Clerk’s Office reviews the completed application. The Town Clerk determines if the application has been filed in conformity with Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 271 Sec. 7A.
  • If it has, the application is then sent to the Chief of Police for their approval and signature.
  • Upon approval of the Police Chief, the application is returned to the Town Clerk for issuance of the permit.
  • The permit is issued by the Town Clerk and given to the authorized applicant, and the applicant fills out their portion of the “Notice of Issuance”, which is submitted to the State Lottery Commission by the Town Clerk.
  • The original application is retained by the Town Clerk, and a copy is sent to the Division of Occupational Licensure.
  • The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission will issue the appropriate tax forms (5% tax on gross proceeds payable within 10 days of each event) to the applicant.
  • The permit is valid for one year (the organization may conduct multiple raffles, and/or up to three bazaars).
  • Permits may be revoked if non-members promote the raffle, uses of proceeds are not as stated in the application, personal payments are made for promotion of raffle, or the facts on the application have changed without notice to the Town Clerk.
  • The organization must file its Annual Report within 30 days of the expiration of the permit, detailing the number of events, the amount raised, the expenses, the names of winners of prizes valued at more than $250, and the uses of the net proceeds; signed by the people on the application and an accountant. Raffle, Bazaar (Vegas Night/Casino Night) permit renewals will not be granted until the previous year’s report is filed.  The original Annual Report is filed with the Town Clerk, and the organization then sends another signed (by the officers and Town Clerk) copy to the Commissioner of Public Safety.
  • Renewal of the permit is conditional upon the timely receipt of the Annual Report.