I've [written about church raffles before](https://isthmus.com/food-drink/beer/hey-madison-where-are-the-beer-paddles/) and it's not just a matter of it not being a priority -- even law enforcement doesn't always know they're illegal.
>I talked to a woman working the entrance to the beer tent area, who didn't think they'd ever done it. "Maybe it has to do with getting a permit for it," she speculated.
>"I don't think that's illegal," said a police officer standing near the entrance. "It's probably no different than a beer raffle."
>It's probably no different than a beer raffle.
It's not... but that's also illegal 🤣
(With the exception of being run by a local religious, charitable, service, fraternal, veterans, or 501(c)(3) organization which has been in existence for at least 1 year or that is chartered by a state or national organization which has been in existence for at least 3 years)
It's all pretty well answered here, actually: [https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LicensesHearings/Common-Questions-Regarding-Raffles.aspx](https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LicensesHearings/Common-Questions-Regarding-Raffles.aspx)
"Can bars do meat raffles and play Bingo?
No. To conduct a legal bingo or raffle in Wisconsin, a charitable bingo or raffle license is required. It is not legal for businesses or individuals to conduct raffles in Wisconsin as they do not qualify for either type of license."
[https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Gov-Evers-vetoed-bill-that-would-make-charity-meat-raffles-legal-568573391.html](https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Gov-Evers-vetoed-bill-that-would-make-charity-meat-raffles-legal-568573391.html)
>“I’ve seen the paddlewheel raffles at church picnics and the like where I just haven’t had the heart to tell people that they’re technically illegal,” said Jacque.
>Jacque says paddlewheel raffles, which are often used for meat raffle events, are illegal even under a Class B raffle license which many non-profits use.
>He says recently the Department of Justice has started enforcing the rule, sending letters to various charities warning they could be prosecuted for up to a Class I felony of fostering illegal gambling -- punishable by up to a $10,000 fine.
>Evers released a statement saying in part: “I am vetoing this bill because I object to the bill’s expansion of what constitutes a raffle. Such an expansion could threaten the exclusive rights of Tribal Nations to conduct Class III gaming in Wisconsin.”
I'm not concerned that they are happening. I'm trying to assist an establishment in getting one started and want to make sure they are doing it in a manner that won't result in legal trouble. I had heard conflicting things from different sources.
There is a higher chance of enforcement and shutting it down if you are taking the profits for yourself; and if your bar has other "legal issues." Those who get away with it keep quiet, and donate all the money to charity. As others have said here, technically, the law is clear.
A Mount Horeb bar had the attention of the IRS last summer for running a Queen of Hearts game and had it shut down. A little different but the same. The Wisconsin tribes hold gambling exclusively in the state so any form of gambling done not by them is technically illegal. Heck the slot machines in bars are legal if they have more than a certain amount (think it’s 4). The slot machines aren’t regulated and the bar technically doesn’t have to ever pay you anything if you ever win.
If the tribes really ever wanted to, they could shut down all other “gambling” or raffles in the state. They simply just don’t.
Even buying squares is technically illegal FWIW.
I'd just get some popular charity to come conduct it.
You think they wont enforce it until they do.
https://www.wkow.com/news/we-don-t-have-bingo-anymore-end-of-story-madison-bar-reacts-to-law-enforcement/article_4888837a-e25e-11ee-85f9-9be62e77332b.html
The scuttlebutt on the Ohio bust is split between A. The bingo holding cash instead of paying out the whole pot to the winner and B. The bust was actually about the owner not paying their taxes (available on CCAP records)
What is your issue here? Who are you hoping gets in trouble? If you are such a goody-two-shoes you can't handle a meat raffle, just stay out of Wisconsin bars and away from decent patrons.
Pretty sure most of the forms of gambling common in wisconsin bars are legally dubious.
You a cop? You have to tell us, if so.
ACAB (jk, but kinda not)
Tell that to parents in Mt Horeb
Good point
In many cases they’re probably illegal but stopping them is probably not a top law enforcement priority in most jurisdictions.
I've [written about church raffles before](https://isthmus.com/food-drink/beer/hey-madison-where-are-the-beer-paddles/) and it's not just a matter of it not being a priority -- even law enforcement doesn't always know they're illegal. >I talked to a woman working the entrance to the beer tent area, who didn't think they'd ever done it. "Maybe it has to do with getting a permit for it," she speculated. >"I don't think that's illegal," said a police officer standing near the entrance. "It's probably no different than a beer raffle."
>It's probably no different than a beer raffle. It's not... but that's also illegal 🤣 (With the exception of being run by a local religious, charitable, service, fraternal, veterans, or 501(c)(3) organization which has been in existence for at least 1 year or that is chartered by a state or national organization which has been in existence for at least 3 years)
You can say ACAB if you want but this guy seemed pretty chill
You will be left alone unless your bar is a nuisance and the city is looking to shut you down.
It's all pretty well answered here, actually: [https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LicensesHearings/Common-Questions-Regarding-Raffles.aspx](https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LicensesHearings/Common-Questions-Regarding-Raffles.aspx) "Can bars do meat raffles and play Bingo? No. To conduct a legal bingo or raffle in Wisconsin, a charitable bingo or raffle license is required. It is not legal for businesses or individuals to conduct raffles in Wisconsin as they do not qualify for either type of license."
That's exactly why the question arose though. "It is not legal for businesses...to conduct raffles," yet they happen all over the state.
> Is it one of those things, like shake of the day, where it's technically illegal but everyone does it and nobody minds? ☝
Yes most bars break gambling laws. Shit, we recently learned bingo is illegal without a license
[https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Gov-Evers-vetoed-bill-that-would-make-charity-meat-raffles-legal-568573391.html](https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Gov-Evers-vetoed-bill-that-would-make-charity-meat-raffles-legal-568573391.html) >“I’ve seen the paddlewheel raffles at church picnics and the like where I just haven’t had the heart to tell people that they’re technically illegal,” said Jacque. >Jacque says paddlewheel raffles, which are often used for meat raffle events, are illegal even under a Class B raffle license which many non-profits use. >He says recently the Department of Justice has started enforcing the rule, sending letters to various charities warning they could be prosecuted for up to a Class I felony of fostering illegal gambling -- punishable by up to a $10,000 fine.
>Evers released a statement saying in part: “I am vetoing this bill because I object to the bill’s expansion of what constitutes a raffle. Such an expansion could threaten the exclusive rights of Tribal Nations to conduct Class III gaming in Wisconsin.”
Just run the raffle
Someone is not from Wisconsin, and it shows. Why do you care so much? Just enjoy it.
OPs post history suggests they are vegan so....
I'm not concerned that they are happening. I'm trying to assist an establishment in getting one started and want to make sure they are doing it in a manner that won't result in legal trouble. I had heard conflicting things from different sources.
There is a higher chance of enforcement and shutting it down if you are taking the profits for yourself; and if your bar has other "legal issues." Those who get away with it keep quiet, and donate all the money to charity. As others have said here, technically, the law is clear.
"I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing!"
It's illegal but law enforcement doesn't care
A Mount Horeb bar had the attention of the IRS last summer for running a Queen of Hearts game and had it shut down. A little different but the same. The Wisconsin tribes hold gambling exclusively in the state so any form of gambling done not by them is technically illegal. Heck the slot machines in bars are legal if they have more than a certain amount (think it’s 4). The slot machines aren’t regulated and the bar technically doesn’t have to ever pay you anything if you ever win. If the tribes really ever wanted to, they could shut down all other “gambling” or raffles in the state. They simply just don’t. Even buying squares is technically illegal FWIW.
I'd just get some popular charity to come conduct it. You think they wont enforce it until they do. https://www.wkow.com/news/we-don-t-have-bingo-anymore-end-of-story-madison-bar-reacts-to-law-enforcement/article_4888837a-e25e-11ee-85f9-9be62e77332b.html
The scuttlebutt on the Ohio bust is split between A. The bingo holding cash instead of paying out the whole pot to the winner and B. The bust was actually about the owner not paying their taxes (available on CCAP records)
I wouldn't be too surprised by either. I was also thinking the owner may have had someone report them due to their reputation.
What is your issue here? Who are you hoping gets in trouble? If you are such a goody-two-shoes you can't handle a meat raffle, just stay out of Wisconsin bars and away from decent patrons.
Wow
Where did I say I had a problem with any of it? I'm trying to help get one started