Raffles may be conducted by "authorized organizations" who have applied for and received a games of chance identification number from the NYS Racing and Wagering Board.
"Authorized organizations" are defined in part to include bona fide religious or charitable organizations, bona fide educational, fraternal or service organizations or bona fide organizations of veterans or volunteer firefighters that operate without profit to their members. In order for an organization to be eligible for a games of chance identification number, the organization must be domiciled in a municipality that has passed a local games of chance law. It is unlawful to conduct a raffle in a municipality that has not passed a local games of chance law. Furthermore, individuals and commercial businesses are not eligible for games of chance identification numbers and are restricted by law from conducting any type of raffle.