Can one raffle a boat ?

[SailingDog]

A consequence of Covid is I can't find the enthusiasm to anti foul my yacht or get excited about going sailing. No expenses till next year, even have the anti foul and anodes. I wondered if it would be possible to raffle the vessel and do folks think there would be sufficient interest in buying a ticket ?

 

[pvb]

I think you'll find it's a criminal offence under the Gambling Act to run the sort of raffle you have in mind.

 

[SailingDog]

That would be the reason you don't see boat raffles. Had a look on the web and it's not clear as long as certain criteria are met. Do you have a link to where it says raffles are not allowed please.
Thks

 

[RichardS]

I believe that you can do something similar to a raffle, but not one which relies on one person buying the right ticket by chance. However, the rules relating to what is legal are so complex and open to challenge that without legal advice it's not a viable option.

Richard

 

[Carib]

Here's the Gambling Commission take on it.

Also a cautionary tale here. Basically, it seems a bit of a minefield..

 

[neilf39]

Someone did it years ago for a live aboard boat. You need to meet the relevant regulations. They did not sell enough tickets but had a clause that if the minimum sales were not met then the money received went as prizes less costs of the lottery.

 

[Elessar]

A consequence of Covid is I can't find the enthusiasm to anti foul my yacht or get excited about going sailing. No expenses till next year, even have the anti foul and anodes. I wondered if it would be possible to raffle the vessel and do folks think there would be sufficient interest in buying a ticket ?

Sod covid and go boating. You won’t win it back again. (last week)

 

[Sandy]

A consequence of Covid is I can't find the enthusiasm to anti foul my yacht or get excited about going sailing. No expenses till next year, even have the anti foul and anodes. I wondered if it would be possible to raffle the vessel and do folks think there would be sufficient interest in buying a ticket ?

Will you refund all the tickets when the purchase survey finds some fatal problem?

 

[PhillM]

I *think* you can offer it as a prize and charge a fee to enter your competition. The question(s) you ask have to require a level of skill to answer.

 

[pvb]

I *think* you can offer it as a prize and charge a fee to enter your competition. The question(s) you ask have to require a level of skill to answer.

I believe that's a minefield too. With only one prize, people who've answered the questions correctly effectively end up in a draw. As they've paid to enter, this becomes a lottery. More details here - https://www.gamblingcommission.gov....the-requirements-of-the-gambling-act-2005.pdf

 

[C08]

I am surprised there is a legal problem as houses are disposed of via a "lottery". As has been mentioned what happens if the required number of tickets is not sold can be contentious, depending on the small print.

 

[pvb]

I am surprised there is a legal problem as houses are disposed of via a "lottery". As has been mentioned what happens if the required number of tickets is not sold can be contentious, depending on the small print.

That's illegal, with potential fines or even jail!

See this for starters - Couple forced to close raffle for their £500,000 North Yorkshire home

 

[SailingDog]

Thanks for your thoughts/ideas gentlemen.


I imagine an Island Packet will be a tough sell in the current climate.
Fair Winds