quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
That is if I could find a reputable booking agent by then.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
Are Raffles Legal In The United States?

The answer is generally and unequivocally no, in the case of a raffle of the kind under discussion.

Which is why we don't see this kind of thing happening.

quote:

Originally posted by Oryxhunter1983:
I know I have read a story about someone who put on a raffle to sell their house, and some idiot lady bought a ticket and guess what, she won!!!

And then didn't realize she had to pay taxes on the value of her winning ticket...oh about 750K, and guess what the IRS is still kicking her ass!

There's way to many problems with this idea, mainly if you can only afford $100 you probably shouldn't be taking the trip...

The only trip I'm interested in buying tickets for is one FAIRGAME is offering!!! SEND ME TO ZAMBIA!

However, I'm a negative nancy concerning these type of things including auction hunts, too many loop holes, hard to hold people accountable...

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
Andrew, I think it would be a great idea if you can work out the logistics/details. Maybe announce the winner at our AR dinner in Dallas? Winner wouldn't have to be present but our little gang has become quite an event in itself. If I may add, it might (and I say might) be possible to get others involved with your project: Taxidermists, Shipper/Importer, Dip-Pack exporter, Travel agent etc. What they could offer is discounts or ?? In return they would get exclusive advertising to this venture. I think it would be a win-win for all IMHO.
Regards,
David

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
A Dahlgren,

Is is not about attracting big sharks but more about offering others an opportunity.

OK for example let us increase the odds to ten tickets at $1,000 each or five at $2,000. Odds are much better but the bets are higher.

I am not sure of the structure of the Keegan Fund but would presume it was unlimited thus very much decreasing your chances, however it was not really about the hunt but more support for a PH in need.

Maybe if you would want to support those who cannot afford Africa then you would buy a couple of tickets for much the same reason? I am sure if you were to win then you would be charitable enough to pass it on to one of those less fortunate than yourselves?

I suspect there are many here who would buy a few tickets as a gamble especially if the odds were good.

quote:

Originally posted by SBT:
Seems to me that every year the sheep foundation raffles off severl sheep hunts. Must be a way for it to be legal, but probably varies state to state.

If it's a leopard hunt with you, I'm in. Then if I won, maybe the company would sell me a lechwe/sitatunga hunt to accompany it.

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
A Dahlgren,

Is is not about attracting big sharks but more about offering others an opportunity.

OK for example let us increase the odds to ten tickets at $1,000 each or five at $2,000. Odds are much better but the bets are higher.

I am not sure of the structure of the Keegan Fund but would presume it was unlimited thus very much decreasing your chances, however it was not really about the hunt but more support for a PH in need.

Maybe if you would want to support those who cannot afford Africa then you would buy a couple of tickets for much the same reason? I am sure if you were to win then you would be charitable enough to pass it on to one of those less fortunate than yourselves?

I suspect there are many here who would buy a few tickets as a gamble especially if the odds were good.

The best advice I could give to people that dont can afford a plainsgame hunt in Africa is to put the 100 bucks in a bowl and save it. Because this will set 99% of them back a couple of more months before they will be in Africa.
Im only 28 but this is for me the oldest trick in the book.

Running a raffle is illegal in most of the United States, although many states make an exception for raffles in which the proceeds go to charity

quote:

Say $100 a ticket limit the thing to 2500 tickets.

quote:

Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:

quote:

Say $100 a ticket limit the thing to 2500 tickets.

250K for a plainsgame hunt - I give up, good luck guys !

quote:

Originally posted by Hasher:
what about say 250 tickets at $100 each. That comes out to $25k to put together a HELL of a hunt.

It could include:

Trophy fees of the winners choice.

Dipping and ppacking.

Daily rate and all outfitting.

Taxidermy.

Basically everything but airfare and transportation for the hunter.

Now if the whole thing could be done for say $20k then the charity it could be done for nets $5k.


Just a thought.

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
Lots of issues here, at least in the US.

First off, running a gambling game for profit is illegal. Doesn't make this impossible (you would need someone who would run it as a nonprofit or charity, and you can bet good money with what we are talking about the government would "inspect" it frequently. Easier if its run out of the UAE or Africa, but still in the US at least, they will have to pay taxes on the winnings, depending on how they view it as ordinary income or worse yet, gift tax.

Secondly, what do you guys consider with "fairness" rearing its head- what if someone involved's good buddy wins 3 times in a row? We can bet someone would be crying foul quickly.

Third, are you going to restrict it to just the "poor" for lack of a better term? If you are giving away a free hunt like Infinito's that he gets to choose who gets it, you know that the fellows donating know they are getting their target group.


Now, I can't say that I'm opposed to the idea in general, heck if its something that I would be willing to go, and pay for on myself, I might take a gamble on it, as the odds are better than any other gambling you might do (like life insurance anyone...) it still would have to be something I would want, and at a price I could justify- I would not be talking in the thousands, as at that point I might as well save and go on my own (which you would note would reduce the donor pool so as to make it even more expensive)

Which brings up what you are going to do if you don't sell enough tickets to pay the trip- the "organizer" would be mailing back checks and using up his time for this, or would it just roll in to the next one (if ever...)

Sounds like a lot of time and effort and some money on someone's part to run, if they are not paid...and much more likely to have some sort of chicanery if they are paid.... For an example, if you have a booking agent run it, are they paid their commission? If so, do the feds call that running a game of chance for profit? I think this is why almost all of these that you see are either groups offering hunts that they have been donated or given for service (advertising) or true charities- then they are not under those rules (at least in some states...)

Not a horrible idea, but with the legal work required, the initial fol-de-rol involved, and the governmental oversight, not too practical.

Most of this came out of my local shooting club wanting to raffle off some guns for a fundraiser and talking with an attorney that donated a fair amount of time to get it done.

Just my $0.02

quote:

Originally posted by zimFrosty:
I am sure you have all, or at least most of you seen the Raffle currently ongoing for a 10 Day trophy Buff Hunt with PG with the Save Valley Conservancy.
I have been told that this may be illegal in the States, however a few legal minds based in the States seem to think it is perfectly legal as the Raffle meets all and any of the statutes anyway.

My feeling on something like this is simply that for a $100 or so , a guy could win himself the chance of a lifetime , that he may not ever be able to afford. In addition, the proceeds go to a good cause (anti poaching) , so no agents or even operators are making "profits" out of it.

I was very interested to read the opinions above and will remain interested in the comments hereafter. AR is great that way and I enjoy the always varied , honest contributions that you all make.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:
AR newbies won't remember this, but there have been some hunt and rifle raffles on AR.

Here's the BIG WINNER

quote:

Originally posted by zimFrosty:
My apologies
I should have added that there are only 500 tickets in total.
Fees etc include accom, PH, etc etc.

Many of you will certainly know some of the participating operators such as Shangaan Hunters, Mokore Safaris, Roger Whittal Safaris, Forever African Safaris , Leon Du Plessis , etc etc

The operators and PHs are supporting the raffle by providing camps, lodges , staff , etc etc so the winner has a wide selection of who to deal with.