Office Raffle Best Practices: Fair and Engaging Workplace Lotteries
OFFICE RAFFLE BEST PRACTICES
Office raffles boost morale, celebrate milestones, and reward employees. But poorly run drawings can create distrust and resentment. Here's how to do it right.
Use Lucky Draw for verifiable, transparent random selection that employees can trust.
WHY FAIR RAFFLES MATTER
| Issue | Impact |
|---|---|
| Perceived Bias | "The same people always win" complaints |
| Lack of Transparency | Rumors and distrust spread |
| Poor Timing | Rushed drawings feel illegitimate |
| Unclear Rules | Confusion about eligibility |
| No Proof | Winners questioned without evidence |
BEST PRACTICES
📋 Before the Raffle
1. Define Clear Rules
- Who is eligible? (All employees? Specific departments?)
- How to enter? (Automatic? Sign-up required?)
- What are the prizes?
- When and where is the drawing?
2. Communicate Early
- Announce at least 1 week in advance
- Send reminder emails
- Post in common areas
3. Collect Entries Properly
- Use a spreadsheet or form
- Verify eligibility before adding names
- Remove duplicates
🎯 During the Drawing
1. Choose the Right Time
- All-hands meeting
- Holiday party
- End of quarter celebration
2. Use a Transparent Tool
- Screen share for remote teams
- Project on a big screen
- Let someone else click "Draw"
3. Document Everything
- Screenshot the results
- Record the drawing if possible
- Keep the entry list
📢 After the Raffle
1. Announce Publicly
- Email all participants
- Congratulate winners by name
- Thank everyone for participating
2. Archive Records
- Save entry lists for 1 year minimum
- Document any issues or questions
- Note improvements for next time
RAFFLE IDEAS BY OCCASION
🎄 Holiday Raffle
Prize ideas:
Paid Day Off
Gift Cards ($25-$100)
Electronics
Holiday Hamper
Parking Spot for a Month
🎉 Annual Party
Prize ideas:
Vacation Package
Noise-Canceling Headphones
Smart Watch
Extra PTO Days
Company Merch Bundle
🏆 Milestone Celebration
Prize ideas:
Team Lunch with CEO
Work-From-Home Equipment
Spa Day Voucher
Event Tickets
Cash Bonus
📊 Quarterly Rewards
Prize ideas:
Gift Card Drawing
Early Friday
Premium Parking
Lunch Delivery
Coffee Machine
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
❌ "Random" Isn't Random
Drawing names from a hat? That's not truly random. Physical methods can be:
- Biased by paper size
- Influenced by how you grab
- Suspected of manipulation
Solution: Use cryptographically secure random selection like Lucky Draw.
❌ No Witnesses
Drawing alone in your office? That looks suspicious.
Solution: Always draw in front of others or on a shared screen.
❌ Changing Rules Mid-Raffle
Adding entries, changing prizes, or extending deadlines undermines trust.
Solution: Lock rules before the drawing. No exceptions.
❌ Winner Not Present
"The winner isn't here, so we'll redraw..."
Solution: Decide beforehand: Do absent winners still win, or is presence required?
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
⚠️ Disclaimer: This is general guidance, not legal advice. Consult your HR and legal teams.
| Consideration | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Gambling Laws | Free-entry raffles are usually fine; paid entries may require permits |
| Tax Implications | Prizes over $600 (US) may require tax reporting |
| Discrimination | Eligibility must not exclude protected classes |
| Documentation | Keep records in case of disputes |
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
✅ Do's
- Be transparent — Show the full entry list before drawing
- Use witnesses — HR, managers, or random employees
- Record it — Video or screenshots for proof
- Communicate results — Don't keep winners secret
- Thank participants — Everyone loves appreciation
🚫 Don'ts
- Don't rush the drawing
- Don't exclude eligible employees
- Don't let winners draw for other prizes
- Don't change rules after entries close
- Don't forget to actually have prizes ready
FAQ
Q: Can executives participate?
Up to your policy. Some companies exclude leadership for optics; others include everyone.
Q: What if someone wins twice in a row?
If your rules allow it, they win. Consider "one prize per person" rules if fairness is a concern.
Q: Should we announce all entries?
The count, yes. Individual names only if participants consented.
Q: Can we do this virtually?
Absolutely! Screen share Lucky Draw during a video call.
BONUS: RAFFLE CHECKLIST
| Stage | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Rules defined and communicated | ☐ |
| Eligibility verified | ☐ |
| Entry list finalized | ☐ |
| Prizes secured | ☐ |
| Drawing time scheduled | ☐ |
| Witnesses arranged | ☐ |
| Tool tested | ☐ |
| Results documented | ☐ |
| Winners announced | ☐ |
| Feedback collected | ☐ |
RUN YOUR NEXT OFFICE RAFFLE
Ready for a fair, transparent drawing?
Free, secure, verifiable results.
RELATED TOOLS
- Lucky Draw — Random winner picker
- Wheel of Names — Visual spinner wheel
- Group Maker — Random team generator
- Task Matcher — Fair task assignment
Running a team event? Check out our Team Building Activities guide!
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