1. Who Runs the Raffles
Hero Raffles is a technology platform. Every raffle on this site is conducted by the sponsoring non-profit public-safety organization (the "Sponsor") - a fire department, EMS agency, or law enforcement organization - under the Sponsor's own state and local raffle license or authority. The Sponsor is solely responsible for its raffle's legality, prizes, and prize fulfillment. Hero Raffles does not conduct, administer, or sponsor any raffle.
2. Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a ticket (21+ where required by the Sponsor's jurisdiction).
- Raffle ticket purchases may be restricted by the Sponsor's state or municipality; it is the buyer's responsibility to ensure participation is lawful where they live. Void where prohibited.
- Sponsors may impose additional eligibility rules (for example, residency requirements), which are stated on the raffle page.
3. Tickets
- Tickets are sold online through each raffle's page. No account is required; your e-tickets are emailed immediately after purchase and serve as your official record.
- Each ticket carries a unique sequential number and validation code. No physical ticket is issued or required.
- Ticket quantities may be limited per raffle and per order, as shown on the raffle page.
- All sales are final. Raffle ticket purchases are not refundable except where required by law or by the Sponsor's rules.
4. Drawings & Winners
- Drawing dates and times are published on each raffle page. A raffle may hold multiple drawings (e.g., early-bird and grand prize).
- Winners are selected at random from all eligible tickets - either automatically by the platform's random draw at the scheduled time, or manually by the Sponsor using the platform's random draw tool.
- Winners are notified by email and publicly showcased on the raffle page and the Winner Wall. Buyers who chose anonymity are shown by City/State only.
- A Sponsor may declare a drawing to have no winner where its rules or governing law require (for example, minimum-sales thresholds not met). Any resulting remedies are governed by the Sponsor's rules.
- Winners are responsible for any taxes on prizes. Prizes may require IRS Form W-2G / 5754 reporting and withholding, handled by the Sponsor.
5. Pricing & Fees
- Ticket prices, bundles, and any discount codes are set by the Sponsor and shown before checkout.
- A flat $1.00 Hero Raffles platform fee is added to each transaction and clearly disclosed at checkout.
- Payments are processed by Authorize.Net through the Sponsor's own merchant account. Your statement will reflect the Sponsor and/or Hero Raffles.
- Amounts paid for raffle tickets are generally not tax-deductible as charitable contributions under IRS guidance, even when a receipt is issued. Consult your tax advisor.
6. Sponsor Obligations
- Sponsors must be legitimate non-profit public-safety organizations and must upload compliance documentation (IRS determination letter, state registration, or municipal raffle permit) for review before any raffle may go live.
- Sponsors are responsible for obtaining and maintaining all licenses and permits required for their raffles, honoring published prizes, and conducting drawings fairly.
- Hero Raffles may suspend any organization or raffle that violates these rules or applicable law.
7. Fair Play
- Random winner selection uses uniformly distributed random ordering across all eligible tickets - every ticket has an equal chance.
- Any attempt to manipulate a drawing, purchase with stolen payment methods, or abuse discount codes results in disqualification and may be referred to law enforcement.
8. Questions & Disputes
Questions about a specific raffle, its prizes, or its drawing should be directed to the sponsoring organization (contact details appear on the raffle page and in your e-ticket email). Questions about the platform itself: support@heroraffles.com.
PLACEHOLDER: This page is a general framework and not legal advice. Have your attorney review these rules and each state's raffle requirements before launch, and update this page with your finalized terms, governing law, and dispute provisions.