517.08 RAFFLES.

   (a)   (1)    Subject to subsection (a)(2) of this section, a person or entity may conduct a raffle to raise money for the person or entity and does not need a license to conduct bingo in order to conduct a raffle drawing that is not for profit if the person or entity is any of the following:

         A.   Exempt from federal income taxation under IRC §501(a) and described in IRC §501(c)(3);

         B.   A school district, community school established under Ohio R.C. Chapter 3314, STEM school established under Ohio R.C. Chapter 3326, college-preparatory boarding school established under Ohio R.C. Chapter 3328, or chartered nonpublic school;

         C.   Exempt from federal income taxation under IRC §501(a) and described in IRC §501(c)(4), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(7), 501(c)(8), 501(c)(10) or 501(c)(19).

      (2)    If a person or entity that is described in subsection (a)(1)C. of this section conducts a raffle, the person or entity shall distribute at least fifty percent (50%) of the net profit from the raffle to a charitable purpose described in Section 517.01 (j) or to a department or agency of the federal government, the state, or any political subdivision.

   (b)   Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, no person shall conduct a raffle drawing that is for profit or a raffle drawing that is not for profit.

   (c)   Whoever violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of illegal conduct of a raffle. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, illegal conduct of a raffle is a misdemeanor of the first degree. If the offender previously has been convicted of a violation of subsection (b) of this section, illegal conduct of a raffle is a felony and shall be prosecuted under appropriate State law. (ORC 2915.092)