Raffles, Bazaars and Auctions

Raffle Permit

A Raffle is defined in MGL 271:7A 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 Nights) 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 (2) cash awards, not to exceed $25.00 each.

Organizations holding Raffles /Bazaar permits are responsible for adhering to the regulations outlined as stated 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 which the ticket prizes exceed $10.00. Bazaar (Casino Nights/Vegas Nights) are also governed by 940 CMR 13.00.

QUALIFICATIONS OF ORGANIZATION (Non-profit/501(c)(3))
Type of Organizations
  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; or
  4. Educational or charitable organization (including Public School Departments, parent – teacher organizations); or
  5. Civic or service club or organizations (Lions’ Club); or
  6. Clubs or organization organized and operated exclusively for pleasure, recreation, or other nonprofit purposes, no part of the net earnings of which insures to the benefit of any member or shareholder.
PURPOSES OF PROCEEDS

Must be used exclusively for the purposes stated in the application and are limited to the following: educational, charitable, religious, fraternal, civic, or veteran’s benefits.

OPERATION OF THE RAFFLE OR BAZAAR

Promotion of the raffle or bazaar must be confined to the members of the sponsoring organization. No member shall be compensated for time or effort devoted to the promotion of the event.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND PROCEDURES
  • The group sponsoring the event must be actively functioning as a NON-PROFIT organization registered with the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office for the past two (2) years. (The charity has to be based in Massachusetts.)
  • Applications shall be applied for at the town clerk’s office in which the raffle will be drawn. Tickets can be sold in any town.  Application must contain the name and address of the applicant, evidence of qualification of the organization, names of three officers or members, purposes of the proceeds, along with documentation of eligibility.
  • A current copy of the non-profit organization’s Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Solicitation from Attorney General (AG Number)
  • Certificate of Exemption (Form ST-2) from Massachusetts Dept of Revenue
  • Letter of Authorization from the group (Charity) stating that “John/Jane Doe” is acting on behalf of the charity.
  • The Application and the Notice of Issuance of Raffles and/or Bazaars must be completed in full.
  • A $10.00 filing fee is required in the form of cash, money order or check payable to the Town of Lakeville.
  • Application must be submitted to the Town Clerk’s Office NO LATER than 30 days prior to the event.
PROCEDURES
  • State Lottery Commission will issue appropriate tax forms (5% commission on gross proceeds payable within 10 days of each event).
  • Application is sent to the Chief of Police for approval and signature.
  • Application is returned to Town Clerk for issuance of the license. Organization receives two certified copies of the permit (one is for ticket printer)
  • Permit must be issued or denied within 30 days of application.
  • Valid for one year (organization may conduct multiple raffles, and/or 3 bazaars)
  • Permits may be revoked if non-members promote the raffle, uses of proceeds are not as stated in the application, payments are made for promotion of raffle, or facts on the application have changed without notice to the clerk.
  • Organization must file Annual Report within 30 days of expiration of permit detailing number of events, amount raised, expenses, names of winners of prizes valued at more than $25.00, uses of the net proceeds; signed by the people on the application and an accountant. Raffle, Bazaar (Vegas Night/Casino Nights) permit renewals will not be granted until previous year’s report is filed.
  • Renewal of permit is conditional upon timely receipt of Annual Report.
  • Organization must keep records sufficient to substantiate information required by Annual Report.
VIOLATIONS (Potential Penalties for Non-profit and others (MGL 271:7A & 7))
  • Immediate revocation of the permit;
  • Prohibition on activity for 3 years; and
  • Civil and criminal penalties including up to $1,000 fine and one (1) year imprisonment.
  • Civil and criminal penalties including up to $3,000 fine and three (3) years in state prison.

NOTE: A paid police detail is required for all Las Vegas Nights, Bazaars, Poker/Texas Hold’Em Events.


Post Raffle Filings

Organization MUST file an Annual Report within 30 days of expiration of permit detailing number of events, amount raised, expenses, names of winners of prizes valued at more than $250, uses of the net proceeds; signed by the people on the application and an accountant.

Renewal of a permit is conditional upon receipt of the annual report to the Town Clerk.

Organization MUST keep records sufficient to substantiate information required by annual report.

State Lottery Commission will issue appropriate tax forms (5% excise tax on wagering on gross proceeds payable within 10 days of each event). The tax on gross proceeds is payable even for non-profits because it is a tax on wagering, not income.


Auction Permit

Auction Permits are obtained at the Town Clerk's Office and are $10.00.  

Every Auctioneer needs to be licensed or have a permit.

Per MGL, Chapter 100, Section 10, "Section 10. No person shall conduct an auction without a special or annual permit issued by the city or town in which the auction is to be conducted. Application for such a permit shall be filed with the local auction permit agent and shall contain the name of the applicant; the name, address and license number of the auctioneer; the hours between which the auction is to be conducted; the location of the auction; and a general description of the goods to be auctioned. As to a special permit, the estimated value of the goods and the date or dates, not to exceed ten, on which the auction shall be held shall also be included.

Within six business days of the filing of an application for a special permit, the local auction permit agent shall either approve the permit subject to stated reasonable terms and conditions relating to public safety as he may establish, or deny the application on stated grounds, which must be reasonable grounds relating to public safety. Failure of an agent to act within the six business day period shall constitute approval of the application. Upon approval, express or implied, the applicant shall tender to the city or town treasurer the permit fee established by said agent, which fee shall be reasonable.

No person shall be eligible for an annual permit unless he maintains a regular place of business for the conduct of auctioneering in the city or town. Said permit shall be issued or denied on the same terms applicable to a special permit, except that an application which is not acted upon within fourteen days of the date of filing with the local auction permit agent shall be deemed approved. Each annual permit issued shall be valid for a term of one year commencing on the date of the express or implied approval of the application therefor. Any applicant for a special or annual permit who is aggrieved by the action of the local auction permit agent on his application shall be entitled to a public hearing by the appointing authority of the agent in accordance with the provisions of chapter thirty A."


For more information:

  • Frequently asked questions about Raffles, please click here 
  • Question about these regulations can be directed to the Town Clerk's office @ 508-946-8800, or the Lottery Commission at 781-849-5555.
  • For more guidance and guidelines, please click here

See below attachements for Raffle Permit Application, Annual Reports & Questionaire: