The raffle has been a staple of Australian sporting clubs for generations. Whether it was a tin of tickets at the front gate or envelopes going around the rooms after training, raffles work because the ask is simple: a small amount for a chance at a prize.
But paper-based raffles come with real headaches. Printing costs, cash handling, ticket books going missing, trying to reconcile sales across a dozen volunteers, and the inevitable chaos of draw night. Online raffles have changed all of that. Here is how to run one that actually sells out.
Step 1: Choose your grid size
The format that works best for clubs is the grid-based raffle, also called Lucky Squares or number squares. Instead of numbered tickets, you sell numbered squares on a digital grid. Every supporter can see exactly which squares are taken, which creates a sense of momentum that traditional raffles lack.
Grid sizes typically run from 50 to 200 squares. For most club raffles, 100 squares is the sweet spot. It is achievable without feeling like a stretch, and at $5 per square, you are raising $500 from a single campaign with minimal effort.
Step 2: Set your square price
The price per square is one of the most important decisions you will make. Set it too low and you do not raise much. Set it too high and the grid never fills.
For most Australian sporting clubs, $5 per square hits the right balance. It is an easy yes for supporters, especially when they can see what the money goes towards. For a high-value prize or a special occasion like a club anniversary or finals campaign, $10 per square is reasonable. Prices below $2 rarely generate enough revenue to be worth the effort.
Step 3: Set up your campaign
Ready to fundraise for your club?
Set up your grid in under five minutes, share the link with your teammates and supporters, and run a live draw at training or on game day. No spreadsheets, no stress.
Lucky Squares Australia lets you build a grid campaign in a few minutes. You set the grid size, the price per square, an optional prize, and a draw date. The platform handles online card payments, real-time square reservations, and sends automated confirmation emails to every buyer. Once your campaign is live, you get a shareable link that works on any device.
Step 4: Promote to your community
The key to selling out is getting the link in front of as many people as possible. Use every channel your club has:
Club social media pages (Facebook and Instagram)
Team group chats (WhatsApp, Messenger)
Weekly email newsletter or club bulletin
Announcements at training and on game day
Your club website or Facebook events page
The advantage of an online grid is that supporters can buy from anywhere. You are not limited to who walks through the gate on match day. Families, former players, and local supporters who have not been to a game in years can all participate with a single tap.
Step 5: Run the draw
When the grid is full, or your draw date arrives, the organiser runs the live draw through the platform. The winner is selected at random, announced on screen, and notified automatically by email. Every buyer receives a draw integrity certificate confirming the result. No questions, no disputes, no envelopes to count.
Is a raffle legal for your club?
In most Australian states, small community raffles are permitted without a licence, but the rules vary by state and prize value. Check the Lucky Squares raffle compliance guide for a state-by-state summary before you launch.
Ready to get started?
Running a raffle for your club has never been simpler. With an online grid, you can be live in under 10 minutes, reach supporters who cannot make it to training, and track every sale in real time.
🤝 Know an organisation that should hear about this?
Not everyone wants to run a fundraiser themselves, but you might know the right person to ask: a P&C member, club treasurer, or someone leading fundraising for a school, club or charity. Refer them and you will go in the draw to win $100 in our monthly referral prize draw.
