New Jersey § 5:8-51

Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 5:8-51, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5:8-51.

a. It shall be lawful for an organization eligible to conduct raffles in accordance

with section 2 of P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-51 ) and registered and licensed with the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission

to conduct , whether in person at any time or remotely while the Public Health Emergency declared

by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 is in effect or whenever a Public

Health Emergency, pursuant to the “Emergency Health Powers Act,” P.L.2005, c. 222 ( C.26:13-1 et seq. ), has been declared by the Governor and is in effect, raffles in a large sporting venue located in a municipality where the provisions

of the “Raffles Licensing Law,” P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-50 et seq. ), are operative, provided that all other requirements to conduct raffles are met. To the extent any conflict exists between this act, P.L.2018, c. 79 ( C.5:8-51.6 ), and the “Raffles Licensing Law,” P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-50 et seq. ), then the provisions set forth in this act shall govern. For the purposes of this section, the conduct of the raffle remotely using the Internet

or other electronic means shall be deemed to be the conduct of the raffle at the large

sporting venue, and shall be deemed to take place only thereat, regardless of any

participant's physical location within this State, provided the large sporting venue

and the specific event with which the conduct of the raffle is associated are conspicuously

and specifically identified in conjunction with the raffles and remote ticket sales,

personnel of the organization conducting the raffle, whether or not through a third-party

vendor, are located in the venue at the time of the sale and drawing of any ticket,

and the drawing and the announcement of any winning raffle tickets occurs prior to

the end of the event at the large sporting venue with which the raffle is associated . An organization conducting a raffle at a large sporting venue is subject to the following

requirements: (1) The organization conducting the raffle, in conjunction with the large sporting

venue, shall announce the winner or winners of a raffle on the date on which the event with which the raffle is associated occurs . The organization and the large sporting venue shall post each winning raffle ticket

number on their respective websites, if such websites have been established, on the same date as the announcement, which number shall be posted for one year or until each winner claims the prize and submits any required documentation. For raffles conducted in person, any prize from a raffle shall be delivered to a claimant verified to have the winning

ticket within 30 days of the event in which the raffle took place; however, if no

claimant verified to have the winning ticket claims the prize and signs all reasonably

necessary documentation within 30 days of the event at which the raffle took place,

the organization conducting the raffle shall hold the proceeds for a period of one year from the date of the raffle. If no claimant with the winning raffle ticket claims the prize and has signed all

reasonably necessary documentation within one year from the date of the drawing, then

the prize shall be forfeited and shall revert back to the organization for its own

authorized use. For any raffles conducted remotely while the Public Health Emergency declared by the

Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 is in effect or whenever a Public Health

Emergency, pursuant to the “Emergency Health Powers Act,” P.L.2005, c. 222 ( C.26:13-1 et seq. ), has been declared by the Governor and is in effect, any prize from a raffle shall

be delivered at the large sporting venue at which the event with which the raffle

was associated occurred to a claimant verified to have the winning ticket within one

year of the event during which the raffle took place. If no claimant with the winning raffle ticket claims the prize and has signed all

reasonably necessary documentation within one year from the date of the drawing, then

the prize shall be forfeited and shall revert back to the organization for its own

authorized use. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any prize which due to its nature must be claimed by

a date certain, such as a ticket to an event scheduled at the large stadium venue,

which is not claimed within 72 hours of the event, then the prize shall be forfeited

and shall revert back to the organization for its own authorized use. (2) Any daily and annual limits on the value of prizes contained in existing law or

regulation shall not apply to raffles conducted at large sporting venues in accordance

with this act, P.L.2018, c. 79 ( C.5:8-51.6 ). (3) On a quarterly basis in accordance with a schedule established by the commission,

an organization conducting raffles in a large sporting venue in accordance with this

act, P.L.2018, c. 79 ( C.5:8-51.6 ), shall furnish to the control commission a duly verified statement showing the amount

of the gross receipts derived from each raffle held, operated, or conducted in the

preceding quarter, which shall include receipts from the sale of shares, tickets,

or rights in any manner connected with participation in the raffle or the right to

participate therein, each item of expense incurred or paid, and each item of expenditure

made or to be made, name and address of each person to whom each such item has been

or is to be paid, with a detailed description of the merchandise purchased or the

services rendered therefor, the net proceeds derived from each such raffle, and the

uses to which such net proceeds have been or are to be applied and a list of prizes

offered or given, with the respective values thereof and it shall be the duty of each

organization to maintain and keep such books and records as may be necessary to substantiate

the particulars of each such report. (4) An organization shall not conduct a raffle remotely unless the organization has

received written approval from and is operating the raffle in conjunction with the

large sporting venue and has received written approval from the Legalized Games of

Chance Control Commission of measures it proposes and implements that ensure, to the

greatest extent possible, the fairness, integrity and security of the remote conduct

of the raffle and the security of the method of receipt of payment for any raffle

ticket sale. The commission may consult with the Division of Gaming Enforcement in the Department

of Law and Public Safety in its review of the measures the organization proposes and

implements. b. Notwithstanding section 9 of P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-58 ), an organization conducting raffles at a large sporting venue may conduct raffles

on Sunday. Alcohol may be served at the sporting venue during the conduct of raffles provided

that the sporting venue is the holder of a sporting facility license in accordance

with R.S.33:1-12 , or other appropriate license, to serve alcohol at retail for consumption on the

premises by the glass or other open receptacle or in original containers. An organization conducting raffles at a large sporting venue is not required to

conduct the drawings openly and in plain view of all players present. c. Tickets for raffles conducted in person at a large sporting venue may be sold only by in-person transactions within the geographic

area of the large sporting venue electronically or by the issuance of paper tickets,

and through devices operated or kiosks staffed by individuals who are employed by

or represent the organization conducting the raffle. Tickets for raffles conducted remotely while the Public Health Emergency declared

by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 is in effect or whenever a Public

Health Emergency, pursuant to the “Emergency Health Powers Act,” P.L.2005, c. 222 ( C.26:13-1 et seq. ), has been declared by the Governor and is in effect, may be sold remotely to purchasers

physically located within this State, using the Internet or other electronic means,

in accordance with this subsection. Tickets for raffles may not be purchased electronically by the public other than

through transactions with the personnel of the organization conducting the raffle , whether or not such transaction is completed through a third-party vendor . Transactions between the purchaser and individuals who are employed by or otherwise represent

the organization conducting the raffle may be made by cash, credit card, or other

electronic payment methods, including, but not limited to, the utilization of Internet

or intranet access (Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity) . The sale and purchase of tickets remotely using the Internet or other electronic means

shall be deemed to take place only at the large sporting venue regardless of a purchaser's

physical location within this State, provided the personnel of the organization conducting

the raffle, whether or not through a third-party vendor, is located in the venue at

the time of sale. An organization conducting a raffle remotely using the Internet or other electronic

means shall establish and adhere to procedures and controls, including but not limited

to the use of geolocation technology, approved by the commission that ensure, to the

greatest extent possible, that raffle tickets will be sold only to persons physically

located in this State. Tickets for raffles conducted in accordance with this act, P.L.2018, c. 79 ( C.5:8-51.6 ), shall not be subject to any ticket price limits set for the general conduct of

raffles. Pre-set bundles of tickets may be sold at a discount to participants. d. Pursuant to P.L.2018, c. 79 ( C.5:8-51.6 ) and notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of section 2 of P.L.1954, c.

5 ( C.5:8-51 ), a 50-50 raffle shall have the raffle's net proceeds divided between the raffle

winner and the organization conducting the raffle as a prize, and the prize may be

awarded to a single participant or may be divided between a pre-determined number

of participants. If the prize is to be divided between more than one participant, potential participants

shall be made aware of such a division. No more than one 50-50 raffle as described in this subsection shall be conducted

during a ticketed event. e. An organization conducting a raffle in person at a large sporting venue may sell only traditional paper tickets, may use only electronic

raffle systems, or may use a combination of paper and electronic raffle systems. An organization conducting a raffle remotely at a large sporting venue while the Public

Health Emergency declared by the Governor in Executive Order No. 103 of 2020 is in

effect or whenever a Public Health Emergency, pursuant to the “Emergency Health Powers

Act,” P.L.2005, c. 222 ( C.26:13-1 et seq. ), has been declared by the Governor and is in effect, may also use the Internet or

other electronic means, including software applications. Drawings for all raffles may be conducted either by a traditional drawing of duplicate

paper tickets or electronically, with the winner or winners selected by electronic

means. For raffles conducted in paper form where winners are chosen electronically or in

combination of paper and electronic raffle systems, the paper tickets shall be entered

into the electronic raffle system for record-keeping and for drawing purposes so that

the purchases of paper tickets have an equal chance of winning as the purchases of

electronic rights. f. Notwithstanding the provisions of P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-50 et seq. ), or any other law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, an organization conducting

a raffle at a large sporting venue shall be permitted to deduct from gross revenues

its reasonable costs and expenses of conducting the raffle. g. The commission, in consultation with the Division of Gaming Enforcement in the Department

of Law and Public Safety, shall promulgate, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure

Act,” P.L.1968, c. 410 ( C.52:14B-1 et seq. ), rules and regulations governing the conduct of raffles remotely using the Internet

or other electronic means in accordance with the provisions of this section. h. As used in this section : “ Electronic raffle systems ” means hardware, software, including software applications, internet, cellular, or Wi-Fi connected devices and associated devices that enable

raffles to be conducted entirely by electronic means, with rights to participate sold

electronically by individuals who are employed by or otherwise represent the organization

conducting the raffle, that generate a unique electronic entry to the raffle that

is the equivalent of a paper ticket, each an electronic ticket which may be delivered

to the purchaser electronically, at the point of sale on the premises of the large

sporting venue recorded in the electronic raffle system as eligible entries or rights

to participate, and winners determined by random drawing from all electronic entries

or rights to participate . “Internet or other electronic means” shall not include electronic raffle systems. “ Large sporting venue ” means a stadium, arena, or similar venue with minimum seating for 8,000 spectators

wherein professional, semi-professional, or collegiate athletes compete in sports

or other athletic games and including the parking lots adjacent to and serving the

patrons of that venue . “ Net proceeds ” means the gross income from the sale of tickets or rights to participate in a raffle,

less only such actual expenses incurred as are authorized in the “Raffles Licensing

Law,” P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C.5:8-50 et seq. ), and by the commission.

Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 5:8-51

What does New Jersey Statutes § 5:8-51 cover?

Section 5:8-51 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite New Jersey § 5:8-51?

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Is this the official text of New Jersey law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.

How does New Jersey § 5:8-51 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.