New York Will Take Raffle Sales Online

A new state law, signed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, will allow New Yorkers to purchase raffle tickets online. Many of the raffles are held by charities, where half of the prize pool goes to the charity and the other half goes to the raffle winner.

Legalized online raffles are giving New Yorkers a way to gamble online.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Charitable Gaming Act into law in December, which authorizes online raffle ticket sales, according to Online Poker Report.

Under the new law, charities will find it easier to hold raffles. In many of the raffles, referred to as 50/50s, half of the money in the pool goes to the charitable organization holding the raffle, and the other half goes to the raffle winner.

“No matter how you slice it, it’s clearly a form of gambling,” says Online Poker Report.

These types of raffles, common throughout the U.S. and Canada, often at professional sports events, can shell out thousands of dollars to winners. In the past, tickets had to be purchased in person, but that will no longer be necessary under the new law. The NHL’s Buffalo Sabres foundation led the push for online raffle sales.

The new law takes effect in mid 2018, when charities can advertise raffles online and sell tickets online, which can be purchased via debit or credit card.

According to Online Poker Report, the New York State Gaming Commission has yet to work out issues of how online raffles will enforce age or location requirements for online ticket sales.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On August 23, 2017, Dodgers starter Rich Hill lost both a no-hitter and the game on a single pitch in a 1-0 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park. Hill carried a perfect game into the 9th inning before an error broke it up, though he retired the next three batters to keep the no-hitter intact. Returning for the 10th inning in a scoreless tie, Hill surrendered a walk-off home run on a 2-1 pitch to Pittsburgh leadoff hitter Josh Harrison.

On This Day In Sports History

On August 22, 1951, St. Louis Browns pitcher Tommy Byrne tied a major league record by issuing 16 walks in a 3-1, 13-inning loss to the Boston Red Sox at Sportsman's Park. Byrne faced 63 batters, struck out five, left 22 men on base, and even drove in St. Louis's only run with a fifth-inning double. Boston secured the victory in the top of the 13th behind a Ted Williams single and four two-out walks, including a bases-loaded pass to opposing pitcher Leo Kiely, who pitched 12 1/3 innings for the win.