​Click Here To Download the Application for a Raffle License

Click Here to Download the Application for a Poker Run​

Who Should File:

​Raffle and Poker Run licenses shall be issued only to bona fide religious, charitable, labor, business, fraternal, educational, veterans and other bona fide not-for-profit organizations that operate without profit to their members and which have been in existence continuously for a period of five (5) years immediately before making application for a license and which have had during that entire five (5) year period been engaged in carrying out their objectives or to a non-profit fundraising organization that the licensing authority determines is organized for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance to an identified individual or group of individuals suffering extreme financial hardship as the result of an illness, disability, accident or disaster. Law enforcement agencies and statewide associations that represent law enforcement officials are also permissible applicants.

 

Kane County issues raffle licenses for prizes that are awarded in some cities/villages and all unincorporated areas located in Kane County. Before applying for a raffle license with Kane County, please contact the city or village that has jurisdiction over the Key Location (the location where the winning chances in the raffle are determined and the prizes are awarded) to determine if that unit of government has its own ordinance governing raffle licenses.   

​NOTE: ONLINE SALES OF RAFFLE TICKETS OR POKER RUN TICKETS ARE NOT ALLOWED!

Kane County is the licensing agent for poker runs where the Key Location (the location where a poker run concludes and the prizes are awarded) is in Kane County. However, some cities, municipalities may have an ordinance that governs poker runs. Before applying for a poker run license with Kane County, please contact the authority that has jurisdiction over the Key Location to determine if that unit of government has its own ordinance governing poker run licenses.

 

*Political organizations wanting to hold a raffle or poker run must contact the State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141.

 

*Organizations wanting to conduct bingo games must contact the Illinois Department of Revenue for a bingo application.

 

Contact the Illinois Department of Revenue for a Bingo application.

Filing Fees:

If the total aggregate value of the prize is under $500, the organization is automatically licensed without applying.

Total aggregate prize value $500.00 to $5,000.00 - $14.00 filing fee

Total aggregate prize value $5001.00 up to $500,000.00 - $25.00 filing fee

 
The filing fee for a Poker Run is $25.00

Bonds:

Beneficial Bond for Raffle Manager – Must be filed, only, if the total aggregate value of prizes is less than $15,000. If more than $15,000, a corporate bond must be submitted.

No bond is required for a poker run.

After the Raffle or Poker Run:

  • Each organization licensed to conduct raffles and chances or poker run events shall keep records of its gross receipts, expenses, and net proceeds for each single gathering or occasion at which winning chances in a raffle or winning hands or scores in a poker run are determined. All deductions from gross receipts for each single gathering or occasion shall be documented with receipts or other records indicating the amount, a description of purchased items or services or other reason for the deduction, and the recipient. The distribution of net proceeds shall be itemized as to the payee, purpose, amount, and date of payment. Each organization licensed to conduct raffles or poker runs shall report promptly to Licensing Agent its gross receipts, expenses, and net proceeds from the raffle or poker run, and the distribution of net proceeds itemized as required herein.

     

    Records required by this Ordinance shall be preserved for 3 years. An organization shall make available the records relating to the operation of raffles or poker runs for public inspection at reasonable times and places.​

Other Information:

  • Licenses are good only for one raffle or one poker run.

    Filing may be done by mail for raffles and a completed application, check or money order, and appropriate bond must be attached.

    The County Clerk's Office has 30 days to process an application for a raffle or poker run.

    A raffle license cannot be issued for a raffle when the outcome will be determined by the outcome of a publicly exhibited sporting contest.

    As to raffles only, sponsoring organizations may contract with third parties who, acting at the direction of and under the supervision of the sponsoring organization, provide bona fide services to the sponsoring organization in connection with the operation of a raffle and may pay reasonable compensation for such services. Such services include the following: (a) advertising, marketing and promotion, (b) legal, (c) procurement of goods, prizes, wares and merchandise for the purpose of operating the raffle, (d) rent, if the premises upon which the raffle will be held is rented, (e) accounting, auditing and bookkeeping, (f) website hosting (g) mailing and delivery, (h) banking and payment processing, and (i) other services relating to the operation of the raffle.


  • Total value of prize(s) shall not exceed $500,000.00
  • The County Clerk’s office does not sell daily raffle licenses.
  • The filing may be done by mail. We would need the completed application, check or money order, and appropriate bond attached.
  • The Kane County Clerk’s office cannot issue a raffle license for a raffle to be held using any type electronic machine.
  • The Kane County Clerk’s office does not issue a raffle license for Bingo.