Why verified results matter for online raffles

In-person raffles have a built-in advantage: people watch the ticket get pulled from the bowl. Everyone sees it happen.

Online raffles don’t have that. Someone clicks a button, announces a winner, and everyone else is supposed to trust it. That works until it doesn’t — and it usually doesn’t when real prizes are at stake.

RandomPicker creates a public verification certificate for every online raffle draw. It records who entered, when the draw happened, and exactly how winners were selected. You share the link with your announcement and participants can check the results themselves.

Not “we picked fairly, promise.” Actual, verifiable proof.

How to run an online raffle

1. Set up your raffle

Create a new draw and give it a name. Set how many winners you need and add options like weighted entries or preferred prizes if you need them. Takes about a minute.

2. Add entries

Paste a list of names, upload a spreadsheet, or create a registration form where participants enter themselves. Each entry gets a unique ID.

3. Draw winners

Click draw. RandomPicker uses cryptographic randomization — the same technology used in security systems — to select winners. If you’re picking multiple winners, they’re all drawn at once and ranked from first place to last.

4. Share verified results

Every draw generates a permanent verification certificate at a unique URL. Post it when you announce winners. Participants click the link and see exactly what happened: who entered, how winners were picked, and when. The certificate stays online — it’s your official record of the draw.

Want to see the full process? Take the feature tour.

Online raffle ideas

Nonprofit and charity fundraisers

Fundraiser raffles are one of the most popular uses for online raffle tools — and one of the areas where trust matters most. Donors want to know the draw was fair before they’ll participate again next year.

RandomPicker is free for nonprofits and charities for draws up to 100,000 entries. You handle ticket sales however works for your organization — paper tickets, Eventbrite, your own website — and use RandomPicker for the drawing itself. Every participant gets a verification link they can check.

Most online raffle platforms focus on selling tickets and charge a cut of the money raised. RandomPicker handles the part people need to trust: the winner selection. See our nonprofit raffle guide and 50/50 raffle guide for more on running fundraiser draws.

Employee and workplace raffles

HR teams and office managers use online raffles for employee recognition, survey incentives, holiday parties, and wellness program rewards. A quick draw during a company meeting works well with the live event display mode — everyone watches the selection happen on screen.

For recurring draws like monthly recognition or quarterly rewards, paid plans make it easy to run repeat raffles.

Social media and brand promotions

Collect entries from Instagram comments, email sign-ups, or purchase receipts, then import them into RandomPicker. The verification certificate shows followers the draw was real — link to it in your winner announcement so people can see for themselves.

Schools and PTAs

School raffles and PTA fundraisers need results that parents trust. Post the public certificate on the school website or parent group and anyone can verify the draw. The free tier covers most school events comfortably.

Events and trade shows

Booth giveaways and attendee raffles are popular at events. Scan badges or collect business cards, import the list, draw winners on the spot or after the event. The verification link works well in follow-up emails — “here’s proof the drawing was fair, and here’s what you won.”

Online raffle rules and legal basics

Every online raffle needs clear rules published before people enter. At minimum, cover:

• Who can enter (age, location, any restrictions)
• How to enter and the deadline
• What the prizes are
• How and when winners will be drawn
• How winners get notified
• Prize claim deadline
• Your contact information

The key legal difference: if participants must pay to enter, most places consider it a lottery, which has stricter rules. Many raffle organizers offer a free entry method alongside paid tickets to stay within the rules.

Laws vary by location. RandomPicker handles the random selection and verification — following local rules is up to you. When in doubt, check with a local attorney.

Online raffle vs. in-person drawing

You don’t have to choose. Many organizers sell physical tickets but run the drawing online through RandomPicker. You get the fundraising benefits of in-person ticket sales and the transparency of a verified online draw.

That said, fully online raffles offer some clear advantages: no geographic limits on who can enter, automatic entry tracking (no manual counting), a permanent verification record, and the option to run the draw live on screen or at a scheduled time.

The main thing online raffles need that in-person draws don’t is proof. When people are in the room watching a name get pulled, they believe it. When it happens online, you need a way to show it was fair. That’s what the verification certificate does.

Who runs online raffles with RandomPicker?

Nonprofits and charities — Fundraiser draws with public proof of fair selection. Free for up to 100,000 entries.

HR and internal teams — Employee recognition, survey incentives, holiday celebrations, wellness programs.

Marketing teams — Brand promotions, product launch giveaways, customer appreciation campaigns.

Schools and PTAs — Fundraiser drawings, classroom rewards, volunteer appreciation.

Event organizers — Trade show booth raffles, conference giveaways, post-event follow-ups.

Organizations in over 120 countries have run draws through RandomPicker since 2009. The common thread: they need results their participants can trust.

Pricing: free tier vs. paid plans

Free (up to 100 entries): Public verification page. Single or multiple winners.

Free for nonprofits and charities (up to 100,000 entries): Same verification features, built for fundraisers and community draws.

Paid plans: More entries, more features. Registration forms for self-entry. Custom branding. Live event display mode. Priority support.

Most small online raffles work fine on the free tier. Nonprofit organizations can run large-scale fundraiser draws at no cost. Paid plans make sense for businesses running regular draws or needing additional features.

Get started

Free for online raffles up to 100 entries. Free for nonprofits up to 100,000 entries. Paid plans for larger draws and advanced features.

Frequently asked questions

How do I run an online raffle?
Add your participant list (paste names, upload a spreadsheet, or let people register through a form), set prizes and the number of winners, and click draw. RandomPicker handles the random selection and creates a verification link you can share with participants.

Is this online raffle tool free?

Yes. Draws with up to 100 entries are completely free. Nonprofits and charities can run draws with up to 100,000 entries for free. Larger draws or advanced features require a paid plan.

Can I sell raffle tickets through RandomPicker?
No. RandomPicker handles the drawing and verification — not ticket sales or payment processing. Sell tickets however works for you (paper tickets, Eventbrite, your own website, at the door), then import the entries into RandomPicker for a verified draw. You keep full control over ticket sales, and the draw itself is independently verified.

How do I prove the online raffle was fair?
Every draw generates a public verification record (online certificate) at a unique URL. It shows entry counts, timestamps, and how winners were selected. Share this link when you announce winners — anyone can click it and verify the results.

Is running an online raffle legal?
Laws vary by location — RandomPicker provides the selection tool, but you’re responsible for following local rules.

Can I run a live raffle draw?
Yes. The live event mode displays the selection process on screen in real-time. Works well for events, meetings, and live streams where everyone is watching.

How many winners can I pick?
As many as you need. Set the number before the draw and all winners are selected at once, ranked from first place to last or vice versa.

Can people enter the raffle themselves?
Yes. Create a registration form and share the link. Participants fill in their details and you can review all entries before running the draw.

What’s the difference between an online raffle and a giveaway?
A raffle typically involves tickets (often paid) with proceeds supporting a cause. A giveaway is usually free to enter and used for marketing or engagement. In some regions, the same thing is called a lucky draw. RandomPicker works for all of these — the verification features are the same regardless of what you call it.

Do I need to download an app?
No. RandomPicker is web-based — it works on any device with a browser. No download, no installation. Your draws and verification records are stored securely online.