Two Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation that would permit nonprofit organizations to sell raffle tickets online as part of their fundraising efforts.
The proposal comes after the Ohio Attorney General’s Office sent cease-and-desist letters to many organizations, including the South Zanesville Fire Department, to halt online ticket sales. Online raffles have been used for years by groups wanting to raise money for operations, building upgrades, equipment and vehicles.
“Raffles have proven to be a great way for communities to come together in support of a cause,” state Rep. Meredith Craig, R-Smithville, said in a statement. “Legalizing the online sale of raffle tickets will ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate, no matter the location.”
The legislation, House Bill 476, would amend the state’s charitable gaming law, which already permits electronic instant bingo, to allow the online raffles.
Craig introduced the proposal with David Thomas, R-Jefferson, who apologized to nonprofit groups for having “their fundraising disrupted by this legal interpretation.”
Craig and Thomas also said allowing the online raffle tickets would help “as the state explores ways to reduce the property tax burden on residents,” providing another way for communities to support themselves.
Although a joint statement from Craig and Thomas specifically cites nonprofit police and fire agencies, other charitable organizations such as churches, schools, museums and hospitals would benefit from the legislation if passed.
The bill was assigned Oct. 1 to the House Finance Committee.
Muskingum County fire department ‘just trying to survive’
After receiving the cease-and-desist letter on Aug. 5, the South Zanesville department ended its online raffles. Tickets are now sold exclusively in person at the fire station, 24 E. Main St.
The AG’s letter came as an unpleasant surprise, Russell Taylor, South Zanesville’s fire chief, told the Times Recorder in August. He hopes to eventually return to the previous system, as the fire department finds the “right way” to do online raffles.
“We don’t want to be in trouble. We try to do the right thing every day,” he said. “We do everything on the up and up.”
The online raffles had been one of the fire department’s biggest supplemental revenue streams since the giveaways started in April, Taylor added, so the change is concerning for a fire station that relies on one 2.5-mill levy to fund its daily operations and payroll, and is limited in its opportunties to secure grants.
“It’s getting harder and harder to get grants to keep up with the times. The little guy here is still suffering, and our grants are getting cut,” Taylor said. “We’re just trying to survive day to day and not try to burden taxpayers every year.”
In July, they purchased a like-new 2011 E450 ambulance for $39,000 from the raffles’ profits.
“It helps us back up other agencies,” Taylor explained. “We wouldn’t have been able to afford this ambulance if not for the raffles.”
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio lawmakers propose legislation allowing online raffles for nonprofit organizations
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Repository
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