S.C. to Vote on Allowing Raffles

Amendment 1 on the South Carolina ballot asks voters whether they want to change the state constitution to allow nonprofit groups to hold raffles as fundraisers. The money would have to be used for charitable, religious, or educational purposes. Right now, raffles are considered a form of illegal gambling.

The SC Lions Club has been fighting for eight years to get the change. It used to hold raffles as a way to raise money for its vision and hearing services for the uninsured, until someone complained about one of the raffles. The State Law Enforcement Division ordered them to shut it down.

"It's hurt significantly," says SC Lions director Gregg Turner. "We did a poll across the state shortly after we issued the cease-and-desist to find out how many members were conducting raffles, or how many clubs were conducting raffles, and we found that it equated to about half-a-million dollars a year statewide through the 150 chapters."

The bill that goes with the constitutional amendment puts limits on the raffles. For example, nonprofits would not be allowed to hire professional companies to run the raffles, since those companies keep a percentage of the money. That clause also prevents a professional "raffle" company from setting up a permanent operation and just saying the raffles are for charity.

The bill also prevents fundraising events known as "casino night", "Las Vegas night", or "Monte Carlo night" involving games like roulette, poker, blackjack, or other card games. It also specifically bans the use of any electronic device or machine like video poker.