Can I raffle my house?

Raffling a home might sound creative, but it’s not as simple as it seems. In most states, including Florida, raffling real estate falls under state gaming and lottery laws, which often restrict private individuals from running raffles without proper licensing. You can, however, work with a licensed nonprofit organization that meets legal requirements to host a raffle. Before moving forward, consult a real estate attorney or your local Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) to ensure your plan complies with state law.

I doubt very much that it’s legal for regular homeowners to raffle off their houses in California, Jeremiah. I'm guessing that people will think it sounds like gambling and I think a lot of people would probably suspect it's a scam.

That said, I've seen some legit charities do it. For example, Special Olympics Southern California runs a house raffle every year, and they’re clear that it’s to support their cause.

If you’re thinking about selling, I’d suggest talking to a local Realtor with solid reviews. He/she can walk you through your options and help you get the most out of your home, the right way.

I agree with Debbie, you'll definitely need some media attention to prove it's legitimate and not a scam. It's easier to do if it's to benefit a non-profit. That said, I've seen it done but curiously, I've never heard the results.

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House "raffles" make headlines, but they are usually run by licensed charities under very specific gaming laws. In most states, a raffle is considered a form of lottery or gambling and is illegal unless it is conducted by a registered nonprofit for charitable purposes. Running a raffle for personal gain could expose you to civil and criminal penalties from the attorney general or gaming commission.

Even if you tried to structure a sweepstakes with an "alternate free method of entry" to avoid lottery rules, there are still Federal and state regulations about disclosures, bonding, escrow of the prize and no‑purchase‑necessary provisions. You would also need to resolve any mortgage or lien on the property before transferring the title, and you would likely still owe capital gains tax on the fair market value. Handling all of that, plus marketing and ensuring enough tickets sold to cover your desired price, is a massive undertaking.

That’s why these stories usually involve a charity partnering with the homeowner, or the raffle proceeds go to a nonprofit after paying off the mortgage. If you’re serious about exploring this idea, you should consult an attorney who specializes in gaming/lottery law and your state’s Department of Justice before selling any tickets. For most sellers, listing the home with a good real estate agent is a far simpler and safer way to maximize value.

Depends on the state but I don't think that is legal.

Raffling your house sounds creative, but it's usually not legal for private individuals in the U.S. It's considered an illegal lottery unless run by a qualified nonprofit organization under strict rules. Some people get around this by partnering with a charity or creating a skill-based contest (like an essay competition), but it requires careful legal structuring.
If you're seriously considering this, consult a real estate attorney or fundraiser law expert to avoid heavy fines or legal trouble.

Super interesting topic! If you know the fair market value of your home and what you would net on a traditional sale, you could back into whether it could be worth it. Obviously you would have to spend money on the front end to market it and set a reserve price. You could set it up as a house raffle completed only if sell-out or threshold met; else refund. If you didn't meet the reserve, you would be out the marketing time and costs as well as have to refund the initial purchases.

Raffling off a house sounds creative, but in most states it’s not legal to do on your own. Raffles are considered a form of gambling and are usually restricted to licensed nonprofits, with strict rules around permits, disclosures, and how the proceeds are handled. That’s why most of the stories you hear involve charities rather than individual homeowners.

If you want to sell your home, the safer route is a traditional listing or exploring alternative marketing strategies. If you’re serious about a raffle-type idea, you’d need to check with an attorney and your state’s gaming commission first — otherwise you could run into legal trouble.

A private house raffle organized by a homeowner is considered an illegal lottery under most state laws. But you may have a workaround if you have a nonprofit file the proper paperwork to do it for you. Or a knowledgeable agent can connect you with a real estate auction platform that you can use to create the same effect.

Its better to ask this question for real estate attorney for legal implications.

I don't think you can raffle off a house unless it's special circumstances like the money is being raised for charity. Raffling a home off in lieu of selling it does not seem legal. I would ask a real estate attorney.

It’s a fun idea — but raffling your home is usually not as simple as it sounds, and in many cases, it’s not legal without going through a very specific process.
• Gambling & lottery laws: In most U.S. states, raffles are considered a form of gambling and are heavily regulated. Generally, only registered nonprofits are allowed to hold raffles — and they need permits.
• Real estate laws: Selling a property this way must still follow state real estate transfer laws, disclosures, and tax rules.
• Federal implications: If ticket sales cross state lines (like selling online), you could run into federal lottery regulations.
• Taxes: You (and the winner) could face significant income, gift, or capital gains taxes.

For a homeowner in the U.S., it’s rarely practical or legal to just ‘raffle off’ your own home.

While it’s a fun story, raffling off your house for $1 tickets isn’t a legal option in the U.S. The good news is, there are plenty of innovative and fully legal ways to market your home creatively and generate a lot of buyer interest.