If you have ever run a drawdown fundraiser with a physical pegboard, you know the pain: hand-writing hundreds of numbers, fumbling with pegs mid-event, and squinting at a board that half the room cannot see. An electronic drawdown board solves all of that. This guide covers what electronic drawdown boards are, why organizations are switching, and which software options are worth your money in 2026.
What Is an Electronic Drawdown Board?
An electronic drawdown board is a digital replacement for the physical board used in drawdown fundraisers. Instead of a poster board or pegboard with numbered slots, you display all ticket numbers on a screen -- a TV, projector, or monitor -- and eliminate them digitally as each number is drawn.
The concept is simple: start with all numbers visible, draw one at a time, and watch the board update in real time. The last number standing wins the grand prize. Some platforms add animations, sound effects, and color-coded sections to make the experience more engaging for the audience.
If you are wondering whether "drawdown" and "reverse raffle" are different things, they are not. The terminology varies by region -- "drawdown" is popular in Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf South, while "reverse raffle" is used across the Midwest, Northeast, and West. Our drawdown vs. reverse raffle comparison breaks down the naming conventions in detail.
Why Switch from a Physical Board to an Electronic One?
Organizations that switch from physical boards to electronic drawdown software consistently report three improvements:
1. Visibility
A physical pegboard is only readable from the first few rows. An electronic board projected onto a screen or displayed on a large TV is visible to the entire room. For events with 100+ attendees, this is the single biggest upgrade. People in the back can actually follow along, which keeps them engaged and spending money at the bar, auction table, or side games.
2. Speed and Accuracy
Manual boards require someone to physically remove a peg or cross off a number after each draw. That takes time, and mistakes happen. Electronic boards update instantly -- draw a number, and it disappears from the board in real time. No mis-marked numbers, no "wait, was that 47 or 74?" confusion.
3. Setup and Cleanup
Setting up a physical drawdown board for 300 numbers takes 1-2 hours of prep work. An electronic board takes minutes. You create your raffle, set the ticket count, and the software generates the board automatically. After the event, there is nothing to disassemble or store.
See rafflr in Action
Watch a 2-minute demo of how easy it is to create and run a reverse raffle with rafflr
Top Electronic Drawdown Board Software for 2026
We evaluated the major drawdown and reverse raffle platforms on features, pricing, ease of use, and audience experience. Here is how they compare.
1. rafflr
Best for: Organizations that want a modern, web-based drawdown board with no software to install.
- Ticket capacity: Up to 999 per raffle
- Board display: Auto-sizing grid that fits any screen size perfectly -- no scrolling
- Drawing mode: Animated elimination with sound effects and visual highlights
- Platform: 100% web-based; works on any device with a browser
- Presenter view: Fullscreen mode designed for TVs and projectors
- Side pots: Built-in support for consolation prizes and last-man-standing rounds
- Pricing: Starts at $9/month with unlimited raffles
rafflr is built specifically for reverse raffle and drawdown events. The auto-sizing grid is a standout feature -- it dynamically adjusts ticket size and layout based on your total count and screen dimensions, so 50 tickets or 500 tickets both display perfectly without scrolling. The presenter view is designed to be projected on a big screen while you control the drawing from your phone or laptop.
2. Prominent Tech Reverse Raffle
Best for: Windows users who prefer desktop software.
- Ticket capacity: Up to 500
- Board display: Desktop application with grid view
- Drawing mode: Number elimination with basic animations
- Platform: Windows only (download required)
- Pricing: One-time purchase (~$100-$150)
Prominent Tech has been around for years and works well enough if you are locked into a Windows environment. The main drawback is the lack of web access -- you cannot control it from your phone, and it will not run on a Mac or Chromebook without workarounds. The one-time pricing is attractive for organizations that run multiple events per year.
3. The Drawdown Co.
Best for: Organizations in the Gulf South that want a drawdown-specific platform.
- Ticket capacity: Varies by plan
- Board display: Web-based drawdown board
- Drawing mode: Number elimination
- Platform: Web-based
- Pricing: Per-event pricing (contact for quote)
The Drawdown Co. focuses specifically on drawdown events and understands the format well. They offer event support and setup assistance, which is valuable for first-time organizers. The per-event pricing model can get expensive if you run more than 2-3 events per year.
4. Yundle
Best for: Australian organizations (Yundle is Australia-based).
- Ticket capacity: Up to 400
- Board display: Web-based grid
- Drawing mode: Random number selection
- Platform: Web-based
- Pricing: Free tier available; paid plans for larger events
Yundle is a solid option if you are based in Australia or running smaller drawdowns. Their free tier is genuinely useful for events under a certain ticket count. For US-based organizations running large drawdowns (300+ tickets), the feature set may feel limited compared to platforms built for the American fundraising market.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | rafflr | Prominent Tech | Drawdown Co. | Yundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max tickets | 999 | 500 | Varies | 400 |
| Web-based | Yes | No (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile control | Yes | No | Limited | Yes |
| Auto-sizing grid | Yes | No | No | No |
| Side pots | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
| Fullscreen presenter | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Animations | Yes | Basic | Basic | Minimal |
| Unlimited events | Yes | Yes | No | Paid only |
| Pricing | From $9/mo | ~$100-$150 | Per event | Free/Paid |
How to Set Up an Electronic Drawdown Board
Regardless of which software you choose, the setup process follows the same general steps. Here is a walkthrough using rafflr as the example:
Step 1: Create Your Raffle
Log in and create a new raffle. Enter the event name, date, ticket count, and prize details. Most platforms let you set this up weeks in advance.
Step 2: Configure Your Display
Connect a laptop or tablet to your TV or projector via HDMI. Open the presenter view in fullscreen mode. The drawdown board should display all ticket numbers in a clean grid format.
Step 3: Test Before the Event
Run through a few test draws to make sure the display looks right, the animations work, and the screen is visible from the back of the room. Adjust font size or zoom level if needed.
Step 4: Run the Drawing
During the event, draw numbers one at a time. With rafflr, you can control the drawing from a separate device (like your phone) while the audience watches the board on the big screen. Each eliminated number gets crossed off or removed from the grid in real time.
Step 5: Manage Side Pots and Consolation Rounds
Many drawdowns include consolation prizes for every 25th or 50th number eliminated. Set these up in advance so the software highlights them automatically. This keeps the energy high throughout the event, not just at the end.
Physical Board vs. Electronic Board: Cost Breakdown
For organizations on the fence, here is a realistic cost comparison:
| Expense | Physical Board | Electronic (rafflr) |
|---|---|---|
| Board/Software | $30-$80 (materials) | $9/month |
| Setup time | 2-4 hours | 10 minutes |
| Printed tickets | $50-$150 | $0 (digital) |
| Volunteer labor | 2-3 people for 3+ hours | 1 person |
| Reusability | Limited (wear and tear) | Unlimited |
| Annual cost (4 events) | $320-$920 | $108 |
The math favors electronic boards for any organization running more than one event per year. The volunteer time savings alone make it worthwhile -- those hours can be redirected to selling tickets and managing the event itself.
Tips for a Successful Electronic Drawdown Event
- Use a dedicated device for the display. Do not run the drawdown board on the same laptop someone is using for music or announcements. Notifications and pop-ups during a live draw are embarrassing.
- Bring a backup. Have a second device ready to go with the same raffle loaded. If your primary laptop crashes, you can switch in seconds.
- Test your internet connection. Web-based platforms need a stable connection. If your venue has unreliable Wi-Fi, consider a mobile hotspot as backup.
- Practice the drawing controls. Make sure whoever is running the draw has practiced the interface. Nothing kills momentum like fumbling with buttons mid-event.
- Position the screen where everyone can see it. Mount the TV high or use a projector on a large wall. The whole point of going electronic is visibility.
For a complete event planning walkthrough, our best reverse raffle software guide covers everything from ticket sales to the final draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an electronic drawdown board?
An electronic drawdown board is a digital display that replaces the physical pegboard or poster board used in drawdown fundraisers. It shows all ticket numbers on screen and visually eliminates them one by one as numbers are drawn, creating excitement as the field narrows to a winner.
How much does electronic drawdown board software cost?
Pricing varies by provider. rafflr starts at $9/month with unlimited raffles. Some competitors charge per-event fees of $50-$200. Physical electronic boards can cost $500-$2,000 for the hardware alone. Cloud-based software is generally the most cost-effective option.
Can I use an electronic drawdown board on a TV or projector?
Yes. Most web-based drawdown software, including rafflr, works on any device with a browser. Connect a laptop to a TV via HDMI or to a projector, open the presenter view in fullscreen, and your audience sees the board on the big screen while you control the drawing from your device.
What is the difference between a drawdown and a reverse raffle?
They are the same concept with different regional names. "Drawdown" is more common in the Southern United States (especially Louisiana and Texas), while "reverse raffle" is used more broadly across the rest of the country. Both involve eliminating ticket numbers until one winner remains.
How many tickets can an electronic drawdown board handle?
It depends on the software. rafflr supports up to 999 tickets per raffle with an auto-sizing grid that fits any screen. Some competitors cap at 300-500 tickets. Physical pegboards are typically limited to 100-200 numbers due to space constraints.
Make Your Next Drawdown Digital
Switching from a physical board to an electronic drawdown board is one of the highest-impact upgrades a fundraising organization can make. It saves time, reduces errors, looks more professional, and keeps your audience engaged from the first draw to the last number standing.