How to Run a Pub Raffle That People Actually Care About

Most pub raffles fail before the first ticket is sold. Someone tapes a piece of paper to the bar, writes "RAFFLE" in texta, and hopes for the best. Here's why that doesn't work — and what does.

Start with a prize people actually want

"Mystery meat tray" is not a prize. It's a threat. Be specific: "2kg scotch fillet from [local butcher]" hits different. Name the butcher. Show a photo. People buy tickets when they can picture themselves winning.

The sweet spot for a weekly pub raffle prize is $50–$150 in value. Enough to feel worth it, not so much that you need a permit in most states.

Sell tickets where people are, not where you wish they were

Walk the room. Don't sit behind the bar and wait. The person three beers deep at table six will absolutely buy five tickets if you ask them. They will never walk up to the bar to ask.

QR codes on tables work for the second round — after people have seen someone else buy. Nobody wants to be first, but everyone wants to be in.

Pick the right draw time

Not too early (nobody's there), not too late (everyone's gone). 7:30pm on a Friday is the sweet spot for most venues. Give people 90 minutes of ticket-buying time. Announce the draw time when you start selling.

Make the draw a moment

Put it on the TV. Turn the music down. Build 30 seconds of tension. The animated draw is the whole point — it turns a transaction into entertainment. If the winner's not in the room, text them. If they are, make them walk up. Applause optional but encouraged.

Run it every week

Consistency is everything. "Friday night raffles" becomes a reason to come in. One-off raffles are forgettable. Weekly ones build a crowd.

The numbers

100 people in a room. 30% buy tickets. Average spend $8 per person. That's $240 per draw, $12,480 a year — from one night a week. The prize costs you $100. Do the maths.