How to Run a Raffle Alongside Your Bingo Night
If you're already running a bingo fundraiser, a raffle is one of the easiest ways to add extra revenue without asking for more staff or more setup time. Unlike bingo itself, a raffle doesn't need a caller, a cage, or any real coordination with the main game - it just needs tickets, a drum, and someone selling between rounds.
The Short Answer
A raffle running alongside bingo needs three things: raffle ticket rolls, a raffle drum to draw from, and a seller working the room between games. Sell tickets during breaks or between rounds, draw the winner near the end of the session (or at a natural pause point), and announce it alongside your bingo winners. It adds a second revenue stream with almost no extra logistics.
What You Actually Need
Raffle ticket rolls are the standard format - pre-numbered, often two-part tickets where one half goes to the buyer and the other goes into the drum, so you can match the drawn ticket back to a winner. See Raffle Tickets for roll options.
A raffle drum holds the ticket stubs until it's time to draw. Smaller tabletop drums work fine for a modest crowd, while larger drums make sense for bigger halls or events with heavier ticket sales. See Raffle Drums for sizing options.
A seller - this can be a single volunteer walking the room, or a small table near the entrance where players buy tickets on their way in and during breaks. Either works; the key is making it easy to buy without interrupting the bingo game itself.
Timing the Raffle Around Your Bingo Schedule
The simplest approach is to sell tickets continuously throughout the night - between bingo games, during any intermission, and even before the session starts as people arrive. Save the actual drawing for a natural break point, such as right before your final bingo game or right after it, so you're not competing for attention while a bingo round is actively being called.
If your event runs long, consider a mid-session draw in addition to a final one - a mid-point raffle prize keeps energy up and gives people a reason to buy tickets early rather than waiting until the last minute.
Pricing and Prizes
Common raffle pricing is either a flat rate per ticket (e.g., $1 each) or a bundled discount (e.g., $5 for 6 tickets) to encourage buying more at once. Bundled pricing tends to increase total sales, since it nudges people past a single impulse purchase into buying a small stack.
For prizes, you don't need anything elaborate - gift baskets, gift cards, or donated items from local businesses all work well and keep your cash outlay low while still feeling like a real prize. If you're already sourcing prizes for your bingo games, it's often easy to fold in one or two extra items specifically for the raffle draw.
Running It Alongside Pull Tabs Too
If you're already using pull tabs as a between-game revenue stream, a raffle can run in parallel without any conflict - they're sold differently (pull tabs are self-contained instant wins, raffles require a later draw) and appeal to slightly different instincts in players, so offering both doesn't cannibalize either one. See our Pull Tabs Guide if you haven't run these before.
A Simple Night-Of Checklist
- Raffle ticket rolls (enough for expected attendance, plus a buffer)
- Raffle drum, sized to your event
- A designated seller or sales table
- Prizes set aside and visible to build interest
- A clear announcement plan for when the draw will happen
Frequently Asked Questions
How many raffle tickets should I order for a fundraiser? A reasonable starting point is 3-5 tickets per expected attendee, since most buyers purchase more than one. It's cheaper to have extra on hand than to run out mid-event, since ticket rolls don't expire.
Should I draw the raffle before or after the last bingo game? Either works, but right before the final bingo game tends to hold attention best, since people are still in the room and haven't started leaving yet.
Can I run a raffle and pull tabs at the same event? Yes - they're different formats that don't compete with each other, and running both gives players two separate ways to engage between bingo games.
Do I need a license to run a raffle? Raffle and gaming licensing rules vary by state and municipality. Check with your local or state gaming authority before your event - this guide covers supplies and logistics, not legal requirements.
Shop raffle ticket rolls and raffle drums at Bingo Innovation, or see our full Bingo Fundraiser Checklist for everything else you'll need.
Follow us for new products, event tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at what we ship every week:
Leave a comment