Queensland has one of the most straightforward regulatory systems in Australia when it comes to trade promotions, giveaway clubs, raffles, and lotteries. If you want to run a giveaway, a trade promotion lottery, or a membership-based prize club, Queensland provides a clear pathway as long as your promotion is structured correctly and follows the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming framework.

This guide explains everything you need to know to legally operate a giveaway or trade promotion in Queensland, fully optimised for SEO to rank for all major giveaway-related searches.

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Queensland at a Glance

• Trade promotions for businesses do not require a licence in Queensland if they follow the rules for free-entry promotional games.

• Queensland classifies business giveaways as Category 4 promotional games, which means no licence is required when the promotion is free-to-enter and used to promote goods or services.

• Entry must always be free, although entry may be attached to buying goods or services at their usual retail price.

• Raffles and fundraising lotteries are separate and only permitted for eligible charities and not-for-profit organisations.

• Raffles have their own categories (Category 1 to Category 3), each with different rules depending on proceeds and prize value.

• Giveaway clubs and membership models are allowed if structured as genuine free-entry trade promotions.

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Trade Promotions and Giveaway Clubs in Queensland

A trade promotion in Queensland is a free-entry, chance-based promotion run by a business to market its goods, services, memberships, or brand. Trade promotions fall under the Category 4 promotional game classification.

Key rules:

• Entry must be free. You may link entry to purchases, subscriptions, or membership signups, but the customer cannot be charged for the entry itself.

• Purchasing goods or services at normal retail price is allowed as a method of earning entries.

• Winners must be selected by chance, such as via a draw or random selection.

• The promotion must not charge for entry through SMS, phone lines, or premium access.

• You must state all rules clearly before the promotion begins.

This is the most flexible environment in Australia for giveaway clubs and recurring prize communities.

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Membership-Based Giveaway Clubs in Queensland

Queensland allows membership giveaway clubs when structured as a Category 4 promotional game.

To comply:

• The membership must provide stand-alone value unrelated to entry.

• Entries must be free bonuses, not the product being sold.

• Pricing must not increase based on the number of entries provided.

• You must not “sell entries” or create a system where a purchase acts as a disguised ticket sale.

• All winners must be selected by a fair random draw.

• Terms must clearly state how many entries each member receives and how draws work.

This makes Queensland one of the easiest states for ongoing prize clubs and subscription-based giveaway ecosystems.

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Raffles and Fundraising Lotteries in Queensland

Raffles and fundraising lotteries are different from trade promotions. Only eligible not-for-profit and charitable organisations may run raffles.

Queensland classifies raffles into three categories:

Category 1 Raffles

• Small raffles with low proceeds.

• No licence required.

• Suitable for small clubs and local fundraisers.

Category 2 Raffles

• Medium-scale raffles with moderate proceeds.

• Still no licence required, but the organisation must follow strict rules around ticketing, prize distribution, and financial responsibility.

Category 3 Raffles

• Raffles where gross proceeds exceed $50,000.

• A licence is required.

• Full record keeping, ticketing rules, financial audits, and stricter draw rules apply.

Businesses cannot run raffles

Commercial giveaway clubs must structure promotions as trade promotions, not raffles.

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Advertising and Terms Requirements in Queensland

Your promotion must include clear, transparent rules available before entry opens.

Your Terms and Conditions should include:

• Eligibility requirements

• Start and end dates

• Entry method

• Number of entries allowed

• All prize details

• Draw date, time, and method

• How winners are notified

• Any unclaimed prize procedures

• Privacy and data use statements

Advertising must not:

• Be misleading

• Hide important conditions

• Suggest illegitimate financial benefits

• Misrepresent prize values

• Encourage irresponsible or unsafe behaviour

Advertising must reflect your Terms accurately and give entrants a fair understanding of how the promotion works.

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Draw Rules and Winner Management

Queensland requires all prize draws for trade promotions to be fair and transparent.

Requirements include:

• Winners must be chosen randomly.

• The draw must occur on the date specified in the Terms.

• If the winner cannot be contacted, the unclaimed prize procedure in your Terms must be followed.

• Prizes must be delivered as described, and within a reasonable time.

Ensuring transparency protects both entrants and your brand.

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Record Keeping

Although trade promotions do not require a licence, keeping clear records is recommended, especially for recurring giveaway clubs.

Suggested records to store:

• Entry lists

• Draw randomisation proof

• Winner notifications

• Prize delivery proof

• Terms and Conditions

• Advertising materials

These records protect you in the event of a compliance dispute.

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Prohibited Practices in Queensland

To stay compliant, you must not:

• Charge a fee for entering

• Sell entries

• Promote gambling products illegally

• Offer prizes that are illegal or unsafe

• Conduct misleading or deceptive advertising

• Manipulate draw outcomes

• Encourage minors to participate in adult-restricted promotions

Giveaway clubs must remain promotional tools, not disguised lotteries.

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Queensland Compliance Checklist

Use this checklist before launching any promotion in Queensland:

• Define whether your promotion is a trade promotion or a raffle

• Confirm your prize pool and promotion structure

• Ensure entry is free and not tied to inflated pricing

• Draft Terms and Conditions

• Publish clear advertising

• Set up a fair and random draw

• Notify winners promptly

• Record how entries were obtained and chosen

• Deliver prizes correctly and on time

• Store all documentation for accountability

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Queensland Giveaway and Trade Promotion FAQ

Do I need a licence for a trade promotion in Queensland?
No. Trade promotions fall under Category 4 promotional games and do not require a licence.

Can I charge an entry fee?
No. Entry must be free.

Can a business run a raffle in Queensland?
No. Only charities and not-for-profit organisations may run raffles.

Can my giveaway club operate on monthly subscriptions?
Yes, provided the subscription has stand-alone value and entries are free bonuses.

Do I need to publish winners?
You must notify winners and follow the disclosure promises made in your Terms.

Does Queensland allow recurring giveaways?
Yes, as long as each giveaway follows the rules for free-entry promotional games.