Raffles in Oregon are considered a form of gambling and are regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice. These regulations govern who can sponsor a raffle, the size of the prize, conduct of the raffle, Department of Justice reports, size of "handle", etc. WOU agreements with the WOU Foundation deal with the deposits, use, and cash flow of public and private monies. This policy assures proper reporting, control and inter-organizational communications to accomplish related fund raising within state and local rules. 

The WOU Foundation has a valid Class A license to conduct raffles in Oregon. The Foundation is under no obligation to conduct raffles, and does so at its "own discretion."

ORS 167.117 to 167.164, 464.270 to 464.530:

http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/167.117

OAR 137-025-0020 to 137-025-0310(1):

http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_100/oar_137/137_025.html

DEFINITIONS

As defined by the Oregon Department of Justice:

Raffle: A form of lottery in which each participant buys a chance for a prize and the winner is determined by a random drawing. As with all lotteries, a raffle includes the elements of consideration, chance and a prize. Consideration is presumed to be present unless it is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to prospective participants that tickets may be acquired without contributing something of economic value.

Handle: The total amount of money and other things of value bet on the bingo, lotto or raffle games, the value of raffle chances sold or the total amount collected from the sale of imitation money during Monte Carlo events.

POLICY STATEMENT

Western Oregon University on occasion assists student and related groups with a variety of fund raising activities. Raffles are a legitimate way to generate funds for a number of campus activities. A number of state gambling regulations govern the operation of raffles in Oregon. All raffles must be approved in advance as noted below.

PROCEDURES

A. Student Groups wishing to hold a raffle must first gain approval of the Student Leadership & Activities Development Coordinator under the Vice President for Student Affairs, who will review the size and scope of the raffle as it relates to rules provided by the Oregon Department of Justice. 

If the raffle is within these provisions, the coordinator can approve these types of  raffles. 

1) Organizations holding raffles with a total handle of no more than $10,000 per calendar year for all student organizations combined. Raffles with a total handle expected in excess of $10,000 must complete special approval documents that must be filed with the Department of Justice prior to the beginning of the raffle. This raffle reporting paperwork is managed through the WOU Foundation.

2) The Vice President for Student Affairs or designee will keep accurate required Department of Justice reports and record of the total handle generated from all student raffles approved in accordance with the overall handle limit. 

All group's activities must work with the WOU Foundation to conduct a raffle within the rules established by the Oregon Department of Justice. 

B. Other Campus Groups 

All other raffles by campus groups must be approved by the Executive Director of University Advancement & WOU Foundation, or designee. Groups wishing to conduct a raffle must seek permission from the Executive Director, or designee, to begin planning such an event. 

No raffles of any kind may be conducted without the approval of one of the above. 

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