A 50/50 raffle is one of the simplest and most transparent fundraising methods available. The concept is beautifully straightforward: sell raffle tickets, and the winner takes home exactly half of all the money collected while your organization keeps the other half. This split-the-pot approach creates a win-win situation that appeals to supporters and delivers predictable results for fundraisers.
Whether you're running a small community event or a major fundraising campaign, 50/50 raffles offer unique advantages that make them a favorite among nonprofits, schools, and sports organizations. The growing jackpot creates natural excitement, the simple rules require minimal explanation, and the transparent prize structure builds trust with participants.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about 50/50 raffles, from basic mechanics to advanced strategies that maximize both participant engagement and fundraising revenue.
How Does a 50/50 Raffle Work?
The mechanics of a 50/50 raffle are refreshingly simple:
- Ticket Sales: Participants purchase numbered raffle tickets at a set price
- Pool Creation: All ticket revenue goes into a single pot
- The Split: The total is divided exactly in half
- Winner Selection: One ticket number is randomly drawn
- Prize Distribution: The winner receives 50% of total sales
- Fundraising Success: Your organization keeps the other 50%
Example 50/50 Raffle Calculation
Tickets sold: 500
Ticket price: $10 each
Total collected: $5,000
Winner receives: $2,500
Organization keeps: $2,500
Unlike traditional raffles with fixed prizes, the 50/50 format means the prize value grows with each ticket sold. This creates mounting excitement as participants watch the jackpot increase, often driving last-minute sales surges.
Why 50/50 Raffles Are So Effective
1. Complete Transparency
Everyone understands exactly where their money goes. There's no confusion about prize values, hidden costs, or administrative fees. Half goes to the winner, half supports the cause. This transparency builds trust and encourages participation.
2. Growing Excitement
As more tickets sell, the prize grows larger. This visible progression creates urgency and excitement that fixed-prize raffles can't match. Participants often buy additional tickets as they watch the pot grow.
3. No Prize Procurement
Traditional raffles require securing donated prizes, which takes time and effort. With 50/50 raffles, the prize comes directly from ticket sales, eliminating procurement challenges and costs.
4. Predictable Profit Margins
You always know exactly how much your organization will net from ticket sales. This predictability makes budgeting and goal-setting straightforward.
5. Universal Appeal
Cash prizes appeal to everyone. Unlike themed baskets or specific items, money has universal value, expanding your potential participant pool.
Types of 50/50 Raffles
Traditional In-Person 50/50
The classic format where volunteers sell physical tickets at events. Common at sporting events, festivals, and galas. Drawing happens live with all attendees present.
Online 50/50 Raffles
Digital ticket sales through online raffle platforms expand reach beyond event attendees. Supporters can participate from anywhere, dramatically increasing potential sales.
Progressive 50/50 Raffles
Multi-day or multi-event raffles where the pot grows until won. If no winner is drawn, the pot carries over to the next event, creating massive jackpots.
Guaranteed Minimum 50/50
Organization guarantees a minimum prize regardless of sales. This approach can jumpstart sales but requires careful financial planning.
Multiple Winner 50/50
The 50% winner's portion is split among multiple winners (e.g., 1st place: 60%, 2nd place: 30%, 3rd place: 10%). This increases odds of winning something.
See How Easy 50/50 Raffles Can Be
Watch how rafflr makes running transparent 50/50 raffles simple and professional
Legal Considerations for 50/50 Raffles
Important: Raffle laws vary significantly by state and locality. Always consult with legal counsel and obtain necessary permits before conducting any raffle.
Common Legal Requirements
- Nonprofit Status: Most states require organizers to be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits
- Licensing: Many jurisdictions require specific raffle licenses or permits
- Registration: Some states require pre-registration of raffles above certain amounts
- Reporting: Financial reporting may be required for transparency
- Restrictions: Limits on ticket prices, frequency, and total pot size may apply
State-Specific Considerations
Some states have unique requirements for 50/50 raffles:
- California: Requires 90% of gross receipts go to charity (affects true 50/50 splits)
- Florida: Drawings must occur within specific timeframes
- New York: Extensive licensing and reporting requirements
- Texas: Strict limits on prize values and frequency
For detailed state-by-state requirements, consult our complete legal guide or contact your state's gaming commission.
Setting Up Your 50/50 Raffle
Step 1: Verify Legal Compliance
- Check state and local regulations
- Obtain necessary permits/licenses
- Ensure your organization qualifies
- Document compliance measures
Step 2: Choose Your Format
- In-person only vs. online sales
- Single event vs. progressive
- Traditional vs. multiple winners
- Payment methods accepted
Step 3: Set Ticket Pricing
Common 50/50 ticket pricing strategies:
- Single tickets: $5-10
- Bundle deals: 3 for $10, 7 for $20
- Arm's length: $20-50
- Premium packages: $100+ for bulk entries
Step 4: Select Technology
Modern raffle software streamlines 50/50 management:
- Automated ticket numbering
- Real-time pot tracking
- Secure payment processing
- Random number generation
- Instant winner notification
Step 5: Create Marketing Plan
- Announce starting pot amount
- Share regular updates on growing jackpot
- Use countdown timers for urgency
- Highlight previous winners
- Emphasize the cause being supported
Maximizing 50/50 Raffle Success
Display Real-Time Totals
Nothing drives sales like a visible, growing jackpot. Use digital displays, social media updates, or live announcements to keep the current pot front and center.
Create Sales Competitions
If using volunteers, create friendly competition between sellers. Recognize top performers and provide incentives for reaching sales milestones.
Leverage Technology
Online sales can triple or quadruple your reach. Use professional raffle generators to manage digital sales alongside in-person efforts.
Bundle Strategically
Offer decreasing per-ticket costs for larger purchases. This increases average transaction size and total revenue.
Success Story: Youth Hockey League
"We switched from traditional prize raffles to 50/50 format and saw immediate results. Our first 50/50 raised $8,000 (we kept $4,000) compared to our usual $2,500 profit from prize raffles. The growing pot created buzz throughout the game, with final period sales doubling our first period. Parents loved the transparency." - Sarah M., Fundraising Coordinator
Common 50/50 Raffle Mistakes to Avoid
1. Poor Pot Visibility
If people don't know the current jackpot, they won't get excited. Update and display totals frequently.
2. Complicated Pricing
Keep ticket pricing simple. Confusing bundle deals slow sales and frustrate buyers.
3. Inadequate Sales Time
Don't wait until event day. Start online sales early to build momentum and increase the pot.
4. Manual Management
Hand-tracking tickets and calculating totals invites errors. Use proper tools for accuracy and efficiency.
5. Weak Winner Announcement
Make the drawing exciting! Build suspense, celebrate the winner, and immediately share how their participation helped your cause.
50/50 Raffles vs. Other Fundraising Methods
50/50 vs. Traditional Raffles
- 50/50 Advantages: No prize procurement, growing excitement, simple concept
- Traditional Advantages: Can offer unique prizes, potentially higher profit margins, themed appeal
50/50 vs. Silent Auctions
- 50/50 Advantages: Much simpler to run, broader appeal, less volunteer time
- Auction Advantages: Higher revenue potential, engages different donor types
50/50 vs. Direct Donations
- 50/50 Advantages: Fun and engaging, attracts non-donors, creates event excitement
- Donation Advantages: 100% goes to cause, tax-deductible for donors
Promoting Your 50/50 Raffle
Pre-Event Marketing
- Email campaigns to supporter list
- Social media countdown posts
- Website banners with current pot
- Press releases for large jackpots
- Partner/sponsor promotion
During Event Promotion
- PA announcements with updates
- Roaming ticket sellers
- Digital displays showing pot
- Text-to-give options
- Last-chance sales pushes
Post-Drawing Engagement
- Celebrate winner publicly
- Share total raised for cause
- Thank all participants
- Announce next 50/50 opportunity
- Build email list for future events
Technology and 50/50 Raffles
Modern technology has revolutionized 50/50 raffles, making them easier to run and more profitable:
Digital Ticket Sales
- Accept credit cards and mobile payments
- Enable remote participation
- Automated ticket distribution
- Reduced cash handling
Real-Time Tracking
- Live jackpot updates
- Sales analytics
- Seller performance metrics
- Automatic calculations
Transparent Drawing
- Random number generation
- Video broadcast capability
- Instant winner notification
- Digital record keeping
Making Your 50/50 Raffle Stand Out
Add Entertainment Value
- Live drawing ceremonies
- Celebrity drawer participation
- Milestone celebrations (every $1,000)
- Winner interviews/reactions
Create Urgency
- Early bird pricing
- Limited-time bonuses
- Countdown clocks
- Sales thermometer displays
Build Community
- Share buyer testimonials
- Highlight cause impact
- Create social media hashtags
- Encourage group purchases
Measuring 50/50 Raffle Success
Key Metrics to Track
- Total Revenue: Gross ticket sales
- Ticket Count: Number of entries sold
- Average Purchase: Revenue per buyer
- Conversion Rate: Attendees who bought tickets
- Sales Timeline: When tickets sell (early vs. late)
- Channel Performance: Online vs. in-person sales
Improvement Strategies
After each 50/50 raffle, analyze results to improve future performance:
- Survey participants for feedback
- Test different price points
- Experiment with bundle offers
- Optimize sales timing
- Refine marketing messages
Getting Started with Your 50/50 Raffle
50/50 raffles offer an ideal balance of simplicity, transparency, and profitability for fundraising organizations. The format's straightforward nature makes it accessible for first-time organizers while the growing jackpot mechanism creates natural excitement that drives sales.
Success comes from proper planning, legal compliance, and effective promotion. Start with a clear understanding of your local regulations, choose the right technology to manage sales and drawings, and focus on making the growing pot visible to potential participants.
Whether you're running a small community 50/50 or a major progressive jackpot, the key is creating an engaging experience that supporters enjoy while raising meaningful funds for your cause.
Ready to launch your own 50/50 raffle? Explore how rafflr makes running professional split-the-pot fundraisers simple, transparent, and successful. Because when it comes to 50/50 raffles, the right tools make all the difference between a good fundraiser and a great one.