Raffle Ticket Question Poised to Go to Voters in 2014

The long-running question over whether to allow non-profits to sell raffle tickets for fundraising purposes will be decided by voters in November 2014.

A resolution will be put before the electorate as a result of a measure passed last week it. Gov. Nikki Haley has until today to veto, sign or pass on the bill.  Based on her comments on Tuesday a veto seems unlikely.

“You can’t go wrong when you let the people decide,” Haley said. “This is letting the people decide whether they want to let churches to do it. It closes a loophole that’s been there for a long time.”

Only a veto by Haley would prevent the matter from going before voters.

If voters approved the measure, churches and schools could conduct a limited number of raffles.

According to the Associated Press, tickets would not be able to cost more than $100 and prizes could not be worth more than $250,000.

At present, South Carolina is one of only four states that do not allow raffles. The only other legalized gambling in the state is the lottery.

Opponents of legalizing raffles do so on grounds of hypocrisy, arguing that it is illogical to allow raffle tickets while opposing casinos or other forms of betting.

Gov. Haley has consistently stated she is opposed to building casinos as a way to boost the economy.

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