Fundraising · Raffles
50/50 raffle payout.
Jackpot, your group’s share and tickets needed for a target.
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50/50 Raffle Payout Calculator: how it works
Ticket sales = tickets x price. The jackpot is the winner’s percentage of sales (50% for a standard 50/50). The rest is your group’s share, less any costs you enter. Tickets needed for a target jackpot = target / (price x winner share), rounded up. One ticket wins one prize, so your chance is your tickets / tickets sold.
Worked example. 400 tickets at $5.00 raise $2,000. At 50% the winner takes $1,000 and your group keeps $1,000, or $960 after $40 of costs. Holding 5 tickets gives a 1.25% chance. A $1,500 jackpot needs 600 tickets.
Check the rules for your area. Some regulators set the prize percentage or require a licence; the 50% here is just the default you can change. Look up your provincial, state or national rules before selling tickets.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the winner of a 50/50 raffle get?
Half of ticket sales in a standard 50/50. With $2,000 sold the jackpot is $1,000.
How many tickets do we need for a bigger jackpot?
Divide the target by the winner’s cut of each ticket. For $1,500 at $5.00 and 50%, that is 600 tickets.
What are my odds in a 50/50?
One winner is drawn, so your chance is your tickets divided by tickets sold. 5 of 400 is 1.25%.
Is a 50/50 raffle a lottery that needs a licence?
In Canada, Criminal Code section 207 allows charitable lotteries under a provincial licence, and other countries and states have their own rules. Check your regulator.
Sources
Checked
- Criminal Code (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46), section 207 (Justice Laws, Government of Canada), opened 8 October 2026.
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Not professional advice
Arithmetic only. Raffle and lottery licensing rules vary by jurisdiction; check your regulator. Not legal advice.