In short
Choose the tool that pays the money straight into your organisation's account, whose fees are written in black and white, that also handles paper tickets and your sellers, and whose draw anyone can verify. Then check that it helps you with your permit or licence and handles your supporters' data properly.
The ten criteria
| Criterion | The question to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Where the money goes | Into my organisation's account, or first into the platform's? | Money held by a third party is paid out later, and depends on them |
| Fees | How much, on what (per ticket, per payment, subscription) and who pays? | The difference adds up over hundreds of small payments |
| Paper and online | Are paper ticket books tracked in the same tool? | Many tickets are still sold hand to hand |
| Sellers | Does each seller or team get their own link and counters? | It motivates teams and lets you thank them |
| The draw | Is the randomness public, the result checkable by a third party? | A draw you can only trust protects neither you nor your supporters |
| Permits | Does the tool help you prepare and keep your permit or licence? | No sale before the permit |
| Donations | Can supporters add a donation to their tickets? | Part of the takings comes from donations |
| Languages and countries | Are pages shown in your supporters' language and currency? | Essential for cross-border or international organisations |
| Data | Who sees supporters' details, and how long are they kept? | You remain responsible for your supporters' data |
| Help | Who answers, how, and on draw day? | On the day, you need an answer at once |
Free or paid?
"Free" often means someone else pays: a commission on every ticket, a contribution asked of supporters at checkout, or essential features kept for a paid plan. Compare what your organisation keeps from the same takings, not the advertised price of the tool.
Questions to ask before you commit
- On €1,000 of tickets sold, how much reaches our account, and when?
- Do supporters pay anything on top of the ticket?
- How does the draw work, and how can a supporter check it?
- What happens to the campaign after the draw — results, export, archives?
- Can we do everything ourselves, and who helps if we get stuck?
Frequently asked questions
The one that best meets your criteria: money straight to your account, clear fees, paper tickets and sellers handled, a verifiable draw, help with your permit or licence. Ask every tool the same questions and compare what your organisation keeps from the same takings.
Yes, several tools have a free plan. Look at who really pays (commission on tickets, a contribution asked of supporters, paid features) and what is left in your account at the end.
A tool that takes payments in your organisation's name, tracks paper books and sellers, offers a donation on top of the ticket, and runs a draw anyone can check.
Yes. Prefer a draw whose randomness depends neither on the organiser nor on the tool, and that anyone can verify; see How to run a fair raffle draw.
In short
- Money in your account, written fees, what is left at the end: the first filter.
- Paper, sellers, donations, permits: what saves time.
- A verifiable draw and data handled properly: what protects you.
How GoTombola helps
On GoTombola the money goes into your organisation's account through its own payment account; online sales and paper ticket books are tracked in one place, seller by seller; your permit document is uploaded and kept before launch; and the draw is certified and verifiable by anyone. Plans and prices are on the pricing page.
Sources
- Data Protection Commission (Ireland) — checked on 10 November 2026