Understanding California Penal Code Section 320.6
While California's constitution generally prohibits lotteries and raffles, the state carved out a specific, highly regulated exception for professional sports teams. California Penal Code Section 320.6 sets the legal framework for the popular "50/50 raffles" you often see at major stadium events. The law ensures that these massive cash pools are split evenly, with half of the gross receipts going to a lucky winner and the other half strictly dedicated to charitable purposes within the state.
Sources & References
The information on this page was was sourced from:
California Penal Code Section 320.6: The statutory exception to state lottery prohibitions governing charitable 50/50 raffles at sporting events.
CA Senate Bill 451 (2025-2026 Regular Session): Amendments to the Gambling Control Act clarifying the Department of Justice's investigatory authority over major league sports raffles.
Who Can Host a 50/50 Raffle in California?:
Not just any organization can run these mega-raffles. The law restricts this privilege to "eligible organizations". This means private, nonprofit entities that are directly affiliated with a team from Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Hockey League (NHL), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), or Major League Soccer (MLS). It also extends to nonprofits established by the PGA, LPGA, and NASCAR.
Where and When Can Tickets Be Sold?:
The state heavily restricts the environment in which these raffles take place to prevent them from becoming year-round, unrestricted gambling operations. Eligible organizations are only allowed to conduct a major league sports raffle during a home game, or during a championship game if that championship is hosted at the team's designated home venue. Furthermore, organizations are capped at conducting no more than one raffle per game. To protect younger attendees, employees are explicitly banned from selling raffle tickets inside any seating area that is designated as a "family section". Importantly, it is completely illegal to operate the raffle, or sell and redeem tickets, over the internet.
The Manual Draw Requirement: No Digital Winners:
Even though sellers might use handheld electronic devices to print out your ticket receipts, the actual drawing process must be decidedly old-school. Penal Code Section 320.6 legally mandates a manual draw to determine the winner. The use of random number generators to pick the winning ticket or to sell the tickets is strictly prohibited under this law.
Following the Money: Charitable Contributions and Oversight:
The law requires rigid oversight by the California Department of Justice to ensure the charitable funds actually reach the community. After a raffle is conducted, the organization must publicly post a detailed accounting of the event, usually on their website or the affiliated team's site. This mandatory public disclosure must include the total gross receipts generated, the total prize amount, the winning ticket number, and exactly which eligible recipient organization received the charitable funds.