Eligible groups could seek licenses for raffles tied to contests

The state gaming commission could license eligible groups to hold raffles decided by a contest. Only groups eligible for charity gaming could hold these raffles. The bill provides for annual licenses and licenses for one event. A group must apply and pay the required fee. The commission decides whether to issue a license. These provisions would take effect July 1, 2026.

A qualifying horse competition could decide who wins a licensed raffle. It could involve up to 12 Indiana-bred thoroughbreds, standardbreds, or quarter horses in a race, or up to 12 retired American quarter horses or thoroughbreds in a jumping event. The competition must take place at a local event, county fair, or state fair. This provision would take effect July 1, 2026.

Organizers would match ticket numbers to contestants and divide the prize equally among buyers holding the winner's number. The number of different ticket numbers available must equal the number of contestants in the event used to decide the raffle. Sellers must distribute tickets in sequence so roughly equal numbers of buyers hold each contestant's number. These rules would take effect July 1, 2026.