Irrespective of the amount of the prize money, lotteries are generally not subject to licensing if they are conducted in a closed group of people (e.g. within the staff of a company) or if no stake has to be paid for participation (not even covertly via an entrance fee).

The holding of a lottery (raffle tickets with cash prizes) or a tombola (raffle tickets with non-cash prizes) generally requires a permit if the participants have to purchase the tickets for a direct or hidden stake (e.g. with the entrance fee).

Since 1 April 2005, a general permit for small lotteries and raffles issued by the Ministry of the Interior of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has been in force, which allows various institutions and organizations to hold raffles without a special permit.

Beneficiaries

• Institutions and organizers of youth welfare and youth care
• Parishes and religious communities
• Sports clubs
• Fire departments and
• foundations

Traders(e.g. also advertising associations) are exempt from this General Permit. The organization of lotteries for commercial purposes is generally not permitted, even if the proceeds of the event are used for charitable purposes.

Prerequisites

The small lottery or raffle may not extend beyond the area of the City of Bonn.
Ticket sales may not exceed a period of three months within one year.
Premium and final draws may not be provided for.
The prize money (number of tickets x ticket price) may not exceed the value of 40,000 euros.
The game plan must provide for a net profit and a prize sum of at least one third of the prize money (total price of the lottery tickets).

Obligations of the organizer

The net proceeds of the event must be used exclusively and directly for charitable, benevolent or other purposes that are generally approved.
In connection with the event, no commercial advertising may be carried out that goes beyond the exhibition of non-cash prizes.

Conditions

For generally permitted events, conditions may be imposed in individual cases or the event may be prohibited if lottery regulations are violated.