Voluntary FC Raffle

[firestorm420]

It would be cool if there could be some sort of raffle for FC members, maybe done through the forum.

For example, each month a member can sign up to be entered into a raffle for a small fee that is deducted from their current balance (could be 5 cents, 10 cents, 50 cents, ect doesnt matter). At the end of the month a name is drawn at random and they win the accumulated prize money.

FusionCash can even cover any expenses this might cost them (which shouldnt be much if any) by taking 5% or 10% of the prize pool for themselves.

It would be completely optional and protocols can be placed to prevent cheating or accidentally entering. I think it would be a fun addictive 'game' type activity that many people would be interested in.. sacrifice some cents and maybe win some dollars!


**Side note - I do not know if this would be considered gambling or not. I do not know if this is a realistic possiblity for FC because of that.. I would be interested to see the Administrators opinion on this.

[mom2taz]

might be fun...and profitable...depending on how it was set up

[falcon9]

It would be cool if there could be some sort of raffle for FC members, maybe done through the forum.

For example, each month a member can sign up to be entered into a raffle for a small fee that is deducted from their current balance (could be 5 cents, 10 cents, 50 cents, ect doesnt matter). At the end of the month a name is drawn at random and they win the accumulated prize money.

FusionCash can even cover any expenses this might cost them (which shouldnt be much if any) by taking 5% or 10% of the prize pool for themselves.

It would be completely optional and protocols can be placed to prevent cheating or accidentally entering. I think it would be a fun addictive 'game' type activity that many people would be interested in.. sacrifice some cents and maybe win some dollars!


**Side note - I do not know if this would be considered gambling or not. I do not know if this is a realistic possiblity for FC because of that.. I would be interested to see the Administrators opinion on this.

Based upon the operating description of such a "raffle", it sure looks like gambling, (no matter what the name of the game is; raffle.sweepstakes).

[AMBERTAYLOR31]

it does seem a bit gambling like, but it would be fun, none the less!!  i sure do like when fusioncash changes things up a little bit and adds new things or a new way of doing things.

[madeara]

Dear firestorm,
A raffle is a marvelous idea.  No, I don't think it would be considered gambling.  Have a great day!

[Elder_J]

Sounds like a great idea to me, ive mentioned this type of game numerous times..basically we pay to play for big money!

[hurfrd]

this sounds like fun.  i think i saw something like this other similar sites like fusion cash.  i would tell you but i don't think i suppose to talk about other sites here. but anyway, this would attract a lot of people. it's like las vegas.

[skrogman]

I think if you are worrying whether it would be considered gambling or not is not a real big issue.  Like everything else here, it sounds as though the way you describe it, it would be an optional offer to take or not take part in if an individual has an issue with it.  Just like the adult offers in the Crowdflower may be good money, no one has to enter them if they don't want to see those pics.

[Administrator]

If you have any kind of game where you have a random chance of winning a cash prize, then it's pretty much considered a sweepstakes.  That requires licensing/certification in each of the 50 states, individually.  When you add up that expense, it dwarfs the revenue we could create through such a promotion.  Most people just want to get their entire cashout amount, as demonstrated by the low uptake of the 'donation' option.  So while we'd love to offer this kind of opportunity, the regulatory landscape makes it financially impossible to undertake.  [Note that many companies flaunt the law and offer national or local raffles/sweepstakes without getting the proper certification; that is their choice but it does not change the facts at hand.]

[jonhall37]

well that stinks, wd of been a great idea!!!

[katie322]

well that stinks, wd of been a great idea!!!

I agree!  Oh well. I'm content with the weekend/weekly contests. I enjoy them.

[firestorm420]

If you have any kind of game where you have a random chance of winning a cash prize, then it's pretty much considered a sweepstakes.  That requires licensing/certification in each of the 50 states, individually.  When you add up that expense, it dwarfs the revenue we could create through such a promotion.  Most people just want to get their entire cashout amount, as demonstrated by the low uptake of the 'donation' option.  So while we'd love to offer this kind of opportunity, the regulatory landscape makes it financially impossible to undertake.  [Note that many companies flaunt the law and offer national or local raffles/sweepstakes without getting the proper certification; that is their choice but it does not change the facts at hand.]

Thank you for your reply Admin. I am glad to see a response to my idea.

I did not know of the licensing/certification needs (let alone in all states individualy!) and therefore did not contemplate the full cost FC would have to take. And of course other companies may 'flaunt the law' and offer this anyways, but thats not good in the longrun for anyone. I fully understand the reason why this idea is not possible (at least in this specific form, at this time).

I guess my concerns about it being considered gambling (and thoughts that gambling would have complications) should have been replaced by concerns of it being considered a sweepstakes (thus having certification issues). Never thought about the requirements to hold a 'sweepstakes' - learn something new everyday I guess.

[mom2taz]

Is it considered a sweepstakes if you do something like first 10 members to respond to a thread in the forum get 2 cents or the first one to answer a trivia question correctly gets 3 cents or something like that???  It would mean having to stalk the forums more to catch such events, but that may also encourage more forum participation??

[charmaine56]

sounds like we could do that raffle thingy.

[falcon9]

sounds like we could do that raffle thingy.

Actually, according to FC, it does not:

If you have any kind of game where you have a random chance of winning a cash prize, then it's pretty much considered a sweepstakes.  That requires licensing/certification in each of the 50 states, individually.  When you add up that expense, it dwarfs the revenue we could create through such a promotion.  Most people just want to get their entire cashout amount, as demonstrated by the low uptake of the 'donation' option.  So while we'd love to offer this kind of opportunity, the regulatory landscape makes it financially impossible to undertake.  [Note that many companies flaunt the law and offer national or local raffles/sweepstakes without getting the proper certification; that is their choice but it does not change the facts at hand.]