How to Price Raffle Tickets for Your Charity: A UK Guide (2026)

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When deciding how much to charge for raffle tickets, there are a few variables to consider. This guide walks through pricing strategies, formulas, and worked examples to help you find the right price point for your next charity raffle.

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In this article:

• How much should you charge for raffle tickets?

• Set your price inside the UK legal caps for small society lotteries

• Raffle ticket price calculator

• What is the best raffle ticket price?

• 5 easy steps to determine raffle ticket cost

• Does Gift Aid apply to raffle tickets?

• How to price your 50/50 raffle tickets

• 6 tips for boosting your ticket sales

• What a legal UK charity raffle looks like in practice

• Choose a pricing tier that fits your raffle size

• Common raffle pricing mistakes to avoid

• Pricing your raffle tickets for success

• Frequently asked questions

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How much should you charge for raffle tickets?

When deciding how much to charge for raffle tickets, there are a few variables to consider. In the UK, most charity raffles are small society lotteries under the Gambling Act 2005, so your pricing sits inside statutory caps. See the legal ceilings section before you set a price.

• Prize value: The price of raffle tickets should reflect the value of the prizes on offer. If the prizes are high in value, you may be able to charge a higher price for tickets. If the prizes are less valuable, you may need to keep the ticket price lower to attract supporters.

• Target audience: Think about who you are selling to and the financial means of your supporters. If your audience has higher disposable income, you may be able to charge more per ticket. If your audience has limited financial resources, keep the price affordable.

• Fundraising goals: Determine how much money you need to raise through the raffle and calculate how many tickets you will need to sell to reach that goal. Balance the ticket price against the number of tickets you can realistically sell.

• Competitive analysis: Research what similar raffles in your area are charging. This gives you a benchmark for what is reasonable. You can also check guidance from the Gambling Commission to understand what other small society lotteries look like.

• Value proposition: Add value by offering incentives to encourage supporters to pay a higher price. This could include bundles or discounts for purchasing multiple tickets, or additional perks such as VIP experiences or exclusive merchandise.

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Set your price inside the UK legal caps for small society lotteries

A public-sale charity raffle is legally a lottery under the Gambling Act 2005. For almost all charity contexts, this means it is a small society lottery, which must be registered with your local licensing authority (your local council) before you sell a single ticket. The Gambling Commission small society lotteries guidance sets out the full rules.

The statutory caps you must price inside are:

• Register with your local licensing authority: £40 initial registration, £20 annual renewal.

• Single lottery ticket sales: maximum £20,000.

• Annual aggregate across all your lotteries: maximum £250,000.

• Maximum single prize: £25,000.

• At least 20% of proceeds must go to the good cause.

• Submit a return to the local authority within three months of the draw, showing tickets sold, prizes paid, and proceeds to the cause.

• Scotland and Northern Ireland: the same Gambling Commission framework applies across Great Britain for England, Wales, and Scotland. Northern Ireland has separate provisions under the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, organisers in Northern Ireland should check with their local district council.

Incidental non-commercial lotteries (tickets sold and the draw held entirely at a single event, such as a summer fete or a dinner) need no registration at all. This is the simplest route for one-off draws at events.

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Add the licence fee to your expenses before you calculate the ticket price

The £40 registration fee (or £20 renewal) belongs in your Step 3 expenses calculation. Budget it before you set the ticket price so it does not eat into your fundraising target unexpectedly.

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Raffle ticket price calculator

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Use the calculator below to estimate your ticket price. Figures are displayed in US dollars, substitute £ on a 1-for-1 basis for a working UK estimate, and make sure your total ticket sales stay inside the £20,000 single-lottery cap for small society lotteries. For UK raffle rules, see the Gambling Commission guidance.

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What is the best raffle ticket price?

The most effective pricing depends on the value of your prizes, your supporters' willingness to pay, and the fundraising goals of your charity. There are some common strategies and pricing options that tend to work well.

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Raffle ticket pricing by prize value (quick reference)

If you are wondering what to charge, this table gives you a practical starting point within UK legal limits.

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Once you have a rough range in mind, here is how to apply it:

• Stay within the range that matches your prize value.

• Start on the lower end if your audience is more price-sensitive.

• Use bundles to gently increase how much each person spends.

If you are unsure, it is usually better to:

• Price slightly lower.

• Make it easy for people to say yes.

• Let volume do the work.

You can always adjust as you go, but starting with a price people feel good about is what gets tickets moving in the first place.

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Single ticket pricing

Single-ticket pricing is a straightforward approach where each raffle ticket is sold individually at a set price. Common single ticket prices range from £1 to £10, depending on the factors above.

Examples:

• £1 per ticket

• £2 per ticket

• £5 per ticket

• £10 per ticket

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Bundle pricing

Bundle pricing involves offering discounts for purchasing multiple tickets together. This encourages supporters to buy more at once, increasing overall revenue from ticket sales.

Examples:

• 3 tickets for £5

• 5 tickets for £10

• 10 tickets for £20

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Tiered pricing

Tiered pricing offers different price points based on perceived value or the chance of winning. Higher-priced tickets may include additional perks or entries into exclusive prize categories.

Examples:

• Basic ticket: £1 each

• Standard ticket: £5 each

• Premium ticket: £10 each (includes entry into a special prize draw)

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VIP or exclusive packages

VIP or exclusive packages offer a premium experience or additional benefits alongside raffle ticket purchases. This can justify higher ticket prices and attract supporters looking for a unique experience.

Examples:

• VIP package: £50 (includes raffle tickets, VIP seating at the event, and exclusive access to a VIP reception)

• Sponsor package: £100 (includes raffle tickets, recognition as a sponsor, and promotional benefits)

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5 easy steps to determine raffle ticket cost

Step 1: Determine a fundraising goal

Before considering pricing, decide how much money you need to raise through the raffle to support your cause. Having a clear target will guide your pricing strategy.

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Step 2: Evaluate prize value

Assess the value of the prizes you will be offering. The ticket price should reflect the perceived value of the prizes to incentivise sales. Consider whether the prizes are high-value items that warrant higher ticket prices, or smaller items that may need lower prices.

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Step 3: Assess expenses and costs

When determining raffle ticket prices, consider the expenses of running your lottery:

• Licensing: the small society lottery registration fee (£40 initial or £20 renewal) paid to your local council. Budget this before you set the ticket price.

• Prize cost: the cost of purchasing or acquiring the raffle prizes. Consider the retail value of the prizes, any discounts or donated items, and any additional costs such as delivery.

• Printing and marketing materials: you may incur costs for printing raffle tickets, posters, flyers, and other materials to promote the raffle. Factor in design, printing, and distribution.

• Event expenses: if your raffle is part of a larger fundraising event, include any costs associated with venue hire, catering, entertainment, staffing, and other logistics.

One expense you can eliminate entirely: platform and processing fees. Most UK fundraising platforms charge a card processing fee (typically 1.5% to 1.9% + 20p per transaction) plus a percentage of any Gift Aid you reclaim. Some also use a default donor tip prompt, JustGiving's default sits around 17%, the most-criticised platform pattern in UK fundraising press. With Zeffy, raffle ticket sales are 100% free: no platform fee, no transaction fee, no card fee, so every pound you raise goes directly to your charity.

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Step 4: Determine ticket sales target

Divide your remaining fundraising goal by the expected revenue per ticket sale. If you have multiple pricing options (single tickets and bundles), calculate the average revenue per ticket based on your sales projections.

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Step 5: Consider audience affordability

Evaluate your supporters' demographics and financial means. Make sure the calculated ticket price aligns with what your audience is likely willing to pay. Adjust if necessary to strike a balance between affordability and revenue generation.

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Tip: the raffle ticket formula

The formula for finding raffle ticket prices can vary depending on your fundraising goals, prize costs, and expenses. A basic formula is:

Ticket price = (Fundraising goal + Total expenses) ÷ Number of tickets to be sold

Here is a breakdown of the components:

• Fundraising goal: the total amount you aim to raise. It should be realistic and achievable.

• Total expenses: all costs associated with organising the raffle, including the small society lottery registration fee, prize costs, printing and marketing materials, event expenses, and any other miscellaneous costs.

• Number of tickets to be sold: the estimated number of tickets needed to reach your fundraising goal. Calculate this by dividing the remaining target (after subtracting total expenses) by the expected revenue per ticket sale.

Before setting your price, check the Gambling Commission's small society lottery rules, the £20,000 single-draw ticket-sales cap, the £25,000 maximum single prize, and the requirement that at least 20% of proceeds go to the good cause all affect what you can realistically charge.

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Does Gift Aid apply to raffle tickets?

No. HMRC treats a raffle ticket as payment for the chance to win, which counts as goods or services, so Gift Aid does not apply to raffle ticket income. The same rule applies to auction lots sold at fair value and event ticket sales. Gift Aid only applies to outright gifts to the charity.

If donors want to add Gift Aid on the day, offer a separate donation route on your raffle page. Every pound given through that donation route, as a straight gift, with no prize in return, can be Gift Aid eligible. (HMRC Gift Aid guidance)

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How to price your 50/50 raffle tickets

In the UK, a 50/50 draw is a lottery under the Gambling Act 2005, sometimes called a split-the-pot draw at community level. For most charities, this means registering a small society lottery with your local council before tickets go on sale. Pricing a 50/50 raffle involves the same considerations as a standard raffle, with the added element of splitting the proceeds evenly between the winner and your cause.

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Step 1: Set a fundraising goal

Determine the total amount you aim to raise through the 50/50 draw. This goal will guide your pricing strategy.

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Step 2: Evaluate the prize split

Decide on the percentage split of the proceeds between the winner and the fundraising cause. A common split is 50% for the winner and 50% for the cause, hence the name.

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Step 3: Calculate revenue target

Because half goes to the winner, you will need to generate double your fundraising goal in total sales. This represents the total amount that needs to come in from ticket sales for the good cause to receive its share.

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Step 4: Estimate ticket sales

Based on the revenue target and the expected revenue per ticket sale, estimate the number of tickets you need to sell to reach that target.

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Step 5: Determine ticket price

Divide the revenue target by the estimated number of tickets to calculate the price per ticket. The price should be affordable for participants while ensuring your fundraising goal is met.

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A simple 50/50 raffle example

Say your goal is to raise £5,000 for your charity. Because it is a 50/50 raffle, only half of total sales go to your cause, the other half becomes the prize.

That means:

• You need to generate £10,000 in total ticket sales.

• £5,000 goes to the winner.

• £5,000 goes to your charity.

Now, map that to pricing:

• If you expect to sell 500 tickets: £10,000 ÷ 500 tickets = £20 per ticket.

• You could price your raffle as: £20 for 1 ticket, 3 tickets for £50 (bundle to increase average spend).

A quick way to check your numbers:

• Start with your fundraising goal.

• Double it (for the 50/50 split).

• Divide by realistic ticket sales.

The key is making sure your pricing and sales expectations actually match. Also confirm your total ticket sales stay within the £20,000 single-lottery cap for small society lotteries.

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6 tips for boosting your ticket sales

Once your pricing is set, here is how to get tickets moving:

• 1. Start selling early and do not stop promoting. The biggest mistake charities make is launching their raffle too close to the draw date. Give yourself at least four to six weeks of selling time, and promote across email, social media, and in-person events. Consistency matters more than any single post.

• 2. Use bundles to increase average spend. A single £5 ticket feels like a small bet. But '5 tickets for £20' reframes the purchase as a better deal, and most supporters will take it. Bundles are the easiest way to raise more per buyer without raising your base price.

• 3. Get your supporters to sell for you. Your trustees, volunteers, and most engaged donors have networks you cannot reach alone. Give them a unique raffle ticket link they can share by text or email, and watch your reach multiply. Zeffy's shareable ticket pages make this straightforward.

• 4. Invest in a prize that sells itself. A luxury trip, a cash prize, or a car? Supporters understand the value immediately. The easier your prize is to get excited about, the less convincing you have to do. If budget is tight, partner with local businesses for donated prizes. For small society lotteries, the maximum single prize is £25,000, so for cars, choose models under that ceiling, or partner with a local dealer for a donated prize within the cap.

• 5. Create urgency with a ticket cap or early-bird deadline. 'Only 500 tickets available' or 'Early-bird pricing ends Friday' gives people a reason to act now rather than later.

• 6. Sell tickets everywhere, online and in person. Set up an online raffle platform for digital reach, and also sell in person at events, after services or club nights, at local businesses, and wherever your supporters gather. Bring a card reader or use tap-to-pay from a phone, fewer supporters carry cash now, especially at fetes, quiz nights, and after-service collections. Zeffy includes free tap-to-pay so you can take card payments at the door without buying a dedicated reader.

A note on UK GDPR: keep only the data you need to run the draw and contact the winner. Give a clear privacy notice on the ticket page, and do not add ticket buyers to your marketing list without a proper lawful basis. UK charities report that 'Are you GDPR compliant?' is one of the first questions they ask any new platform, Zeffy is.

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What a legal UK charity raffle looks like in practice

To see how the formula works in a real context, here is a labelled example (not a case study, a worked illustration using Gambling Commission rules).

A village-hall committee registers as a small society with the local council (£40 registration fee). They sell 1,000 tickets at £5 each, £5,000 in total ticket sales, well inside the £20,000 single-lottery cap. Their costs are £600 in prizes, £100 in printing, and £40 for the registration fee (£740 total). Net income: £4,260. Of that, at least 20% of proceeds (£1,000 in this case) must go to the community fund, and in practice most of it does, because the committee kept costs low.

Ticket price check using the formula: (£4,260 fundraising goal + £740 expenses) ÷ 1,000 tickets = £5.00 per ticket. It works out exactly. Add a bundle (3 for £12) to nudge average spend slightly higher.

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Choose a pricing tier that fits your raffle size

These are hypothetical, labelled examples to illustrate how pricing decisions map to UK legal limits at different scales. They are not case studies.

Example 1: Small community raffle (village hall, PTA, church)

Around 200 tickets at £5, with a £500-value prize. Total ticket sales: £1,000, well inside the cap. Net to cause: approximately £350 after prizes and printing. Pricing takeaway: lower prices, community engagement, and a good local prize can drive meaningful results even at small scale.

Example 2: Mid-size charity raffle (community sports club, small foundation)

Around 1,500 tickets at £10, with a £2,500 prize. Total ticket sales: £15,000, inside the £20,000 cap. Net to cause: approximately £11,500 after prize and expenses. Pricing takeaway: at this scale, bundles (5 for £40) help increase average spend without raising the barrier to entry.

Example 3: Larger single-lottery raffle at the legal ceiling

800 tickets at £25, that is £20,000 in total ticket sales, the statutory maximum for one small society lottery. Maximum single prize: £5,000 (well within the £25,000 cap). Net to cause: approximately £13,000 after prize and expenses, with the 20% minimum to good cause comfortably met. Pricing takeaway: this is the ceiling. If your raffle needs to go above £20,000 in ticket sales for a single draw, you must apply for a Gambling Commission operating licence. (Gambling Commission guidance)

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Common raffle pricing mistakes to avoid

Even with a strong prize, small pricing missteps can make a big difference in how many tickets you actually sell.

• Pricing too high for your audience. It is easy to focus on prize value and forget who you are selling to. If tickets feel like a stretch, people hesitate or do not buy.

• Not accounting for unsold tickets. Many raffles do not sell out. If your pricing only works if every ticket sells, you risk falling short of your goal.

• Ignoring the UK legal caps. Small society lotteries have hard ceilings: £20,000 in ticket sales per draw, £250,000 per year across all your lotteries, £25,000 maximum single prize, and at least 20% of proceeds to the cause. If you run draws across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, check the rules for each nation separately. (Gambling Commission small society lottery guidance) Pricing that assumes you can sell past these caps is not a pricing problem, it is a compliance problem.

• Only offering one ticket option. Flat pricing (for example, just £10 per ticket) can limit how much people spend. Bundles give supporters an easy reason to buy more without overthinking it.

• Skipping simple, round numbers. Prices like £5, £10, or £20 are easier to process and quicker to say yes to, especially in person or on mobile.

Before you finalise your pricing, ask:

• Would someone buy this without needing to think twice?

• Does this still work if we do not sell every ticket?

• Are we making it easy for people to buy more than one?

If the answer is yes, you are likely in a strong position.

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Pricing your raffle tickets for success

The most successful raffles do not just pick a price, they match it to their audience, their goals, and how many tickets they can realistically sell. Your tickets need to be priced in a way that considers your supporters, but also helps you bring in as much revenue as possible within the UK legal framework.

With Zeffy, charities can host a raffle completely free and manage donor communications alongside it. No hidden fees or costs, just a free, easy-to-use platform so your charity keeps every pound it raises.

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Frequently asked questions

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