Victoria offers one of the clearest pathways in Australia for lawful giveaways and promotions. Trade promotion lotteries do not require a permit, but strict conditions apply to conduct, advertising, publication of winners, and record keeping. Raffles are regulated separately for community and charitable fundraising and have specific thresholds and ticketing rules.

Quick snapshot
• Trade promotion lottery permits are not required in Victoria.
• Entry fees cannot be charged and entry expenses per entry cannot exceed 1 dollar including GST.
• Winners of prizes over 1,000 dollars must be published for at least 28 days or in the stated publication.
• Keep records for 3 years and deliver prizes within 28 days.
• Raffles over 22,340 dollars require a permit. Smaller raffles have strict conditions and ratio rules.

What is a trade promotion lottery in Victoria

A trade promotion lottery is a chance‑based promotion used to market a business, product, or service. Entry cannot carry a separate fee. You may link entry to buying a product at its usual price or to completing a participation step, provided conditions are clear and the draw is fair and random.

Core conditions you must meet

• No separate entry fee. Any per‑entry expense like phone, SMS, or postage cannot exceed 1 dollar including GST.

• Each entry must have a random and equal chance of being drawn.

• The lottery must primarily benefit the trade or business being promoted.

• Obtain written consent from the business being promoted if you are running the promotion on its behalf.

• Advertising and entry materials must include the closing date, where and when the draw will occur, how winners will be published, and all entry requirements.

• Winners of prizes over 1,000 dollars must have their names published either online for a minimum of 28 days, in a newspaper circulating in Victoria, or in the sole publication where the lottery was advertised.

• Notify all prize winners in writing and transfer or deliver prizes within 28 days after the draw.

• Prize winners must not incur a cost to accept a prize other than a trivial cost.

• If entrant information will be used for any purpose beyond the lottery, this must be stated in the conditions and respected.

• Keep accurate financial, entry, and prize distribution records for 3 years after the lottery is finalised.

• Scratch and win formats must disclose the maximum number of cards, the number of prizes, and their values. Printing errors or quality control issues cannot be used to refuse a valid claim.

• The promotion must not be offensive or contrary to the public interest.

Member draws

A member draw conducted by a club is treated as a trade promotion lottery. Where entry and draw occur on the same day, presence at the draw can be required. Where entry is accumulated over time, presence at the draw must not be required unless clearly stated and compliant with the conditions above.

Giveaway clubs and membership models in Victoria

A giveaway club can operate as a trade promotion lottery if you follow the Victorian conditions:

• Do not charge a separate entry fee.

• Memberships must provide genuine stand‑alone value unrelated to entry.

• Make entry a true bonus to participation or purchase at the usual price.

• Keep a clear, accessible rules page, run a transparent random draw, publish winners over 1,000 dollars, notify in writing, deliver prizes within 28 days, and keep records for 3 years.

• Respect the 1 dollar per‑entry expense cap for any phone, SMS, or postage based entry.

Raffles in Victoria

Raffles are lotteries where people buy tickets for a chance to win prizes. They are intended for declared community or charitable organisations and have detailed conditions.

Small raffle: total prize value 500 dollars or less

• Sale of first ticket and the draw occur on the same day or within an 8 hour period.

• Total ticket sales must be at least twice and not more than six times the total value of prizes.

• No payment to ticket sellers other than reasonable out‑of‑pocket expenses.

• Keep prize and funds distribution records for 3 years.

• If a winner cannot be identified or does not claim promptly, redraw.

Raffle with total prize value 22,340 dollars or less

• Tickets may be sold for a maximum of 3 months.

• Ticket sales value must be between two and six times the total prize value.

• Printed tickets must show the benefiting organisation, each prize description and value, draw date, time and place, ticket pricing, and how results will be published or notified.

• Draw must be on the date printed and not more than 14 days after the last proposed ticket sale.

• Publish results and notify winners as stated.

• Deliver prizes within 28 days.

• Keep ticket, funds, and prize distribution records for 3 years.

• Reverse raffles are not permitted. First ticket drawn must win first prize.

Raffle with total prize value over 22,340 dollars

• A minor gaming permit is required.

• The permit will set the authorised ticket quantity, sales period, and printing requirements including permit number and maximum tickets.

• Ticket sellers must be authorised. If paid beyond out‑of‑pocket expenses, they must be licensed commercial raffle organisers.

• All proceeds must go to the declared community or charitable organisation.

Prize rules to note

• Cash is not a lawful raffle prize in Victoria. Limited store gift cards are generally acceptable.

• Debit cards are not permitted as raffle prizes.

• Liquor prizes must comply with liquor licensing laws and cannot be supplied to minors. Specific conditions apply to licensed vs unlicensed venues.

Victoria trade promotion and raffle checklists

Trade promotion lottery checklist

• Define promotion purpose and confirm it benefits the business being promoted.

• Confirm no separate entry fee and any per‑entry expense is 1 dollar or less including GST.

• Draft Terms and Conditions that cover eligibility, open and close dates, draw details, publication method for winners, prize details, unclaimed prize process, privacy, and data use.

• Prepare advertising that states closing date, draw place and time, entry requirements, and where winners will be published.

• Set random draw procedures and audit trail.

• Notify winners in writing and deliver prizes within 28 days.

• Publish winners over 1,000 dollars for at least 28 days or in the nominated publication.

• Store records for 3 years.

Raffle checklist

• Confirm you are a declared community or charitable organisation.

• Determine prize pool and apply the correct category: small, under 22,340 dollars, or over 22,340 dollars.

• For small and under 22,340 raffles, apply the two to six times ticket sales ratio and time limits.

• For over 22,340 raffles, obtain a minor gaming permit before selling tickets and print the permit number and maximum ticket quantity on each ticket.

• Plan ticket issuance, seller authorisations, and funds banking procedures.

• Publish results, notify winners, and deliver prizes within 28 days.

• Keep records for 3 years and follow unclaimed prize rules.

Advertising, privacy, and data requirements

• Present key facts up front: eligibility, dates, entry steps, prize values, draw details, winner publication and notification.

• Avoid misleading or deceptive claims.

• If you will use entrant data for marketing, say so in the Terms and give opt‑out options.

• Ensure prizes and advertising are suitable for the audience and do not target minors with restricted goods.

Example timelines

Trade promotion lottery

Week 1 scope prizes and write Terms. Week 2 build landing pages and disclosures. Weeks 3 to 6 run the campaign. Week 7 draw, notify winners in writing, publish winners over 1,000 dollars, deliver prizes within 28 days, archive records.

Raffle under 22,340 dollars

Week 1 prepare prize list and tickets. Weeks 2 to 4 sell tickets for up to 3 months, adhering to the sales ratio. Week 5 draw on the printed date, publish results, deliver prizes within 28 days, complete record keeping.

Raffle over 22,340 dollars

Week 1 prepare application, prize schedule, and ticket design. Week 2 obtain permit. Weeks 3 to 6 sell tickets within the authorised period. Week 7 draw, notify, publish, deliver, and finalise records.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for a trade promotion lottery in Victoria
No. Permits are not required for trade promotion lotteries, but mandatory conditions apply.

Can I charge an entry fee for a Victorian trade promotion
No. You cannot charge a separate entry fee. Any per‑entry expense like a phone call or SMS must not exceed 1 dollar including GST.

When must I publish winners
If a prize is valued over 1,000 dollars, publish winner names online for at least 28 days, in a Victorian newspaper, or in the publication where the lottery was solely advertised, as stated in your Terms.

How long must I keep records
Keep accurate financial, entry, and prize distribution records for 3 years.

When do raffle permits apply
A minor gaming permit is required when the total raffle prize value exceeds 22,340 dollars. Smaller raffles can proceed without a permit if all conditions are met.

Are reverse raffles allowed
No. The first ticket drawn must win first prize.

Can my business run a raffle
Raffles are for declared community or charitable organisations. For a business giveaway, use a trade promotion lottery structure and comply with the Victorian conditions.