Answer

Raffles, including those by schools, are generally subject to licensing under the Charitable Gaming Laws, R.S. 4:701, et seq. The provisions of the Charitable Gaming Laws were amended in the 2022 Regular Session to address raffles by elementary and secondary schools (public and private), and their student clubs and organizations. Prior to the statutory revision, the Attorney General had opined that schools were not an entity eligible to receive a charitable gaming license, and therefore had to partner with a licensed charitable organization, such as a PTA, to conduct raffles. The school, or any club, organization, group, or association made up exclusively of students of the school and approved by the principal, conducting a raffle must be licensed by the State Office of Charitable Gaming, unless the parish/municipal governing authority where the school is located has decided to permit raffles, bingo, and keno within its limits as provided for under R.S. 4:706. If the parish/municipal governing authority has done so, then the school, including its student clubs, organizations, groups, and associations, is exempt from the licensing and reporting procedures found in R.S. 4:708-716, for conducting raffles as a means of fund-raising. See R.S. 4:707(F)(2) The School/School Board, with the assistance of its legal counsel, should consult with the police jury and municipal government to determine if the exception in R.S. 4:707(F)(2) will apply. If the exception does not apply, the school will need to obtain a charitable gaming license from the Office of Charitable Gaming within the Department of Revenue. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 04/25/2025 08:39:33 PM