In short
The right price is one your supporters pay without hesitating, and the right number of tickets is what your sellers can really sell. Start from your net target, add the cost of prizes and expenses, divide by the price — that is how many tickets you need — then compare it with the number of people you can reach.
The amounts on this page are worked examples, not observed prices or recommendations.
The sum in three lines
- Takings needed = net target + prizes you buy + expenses (printing, payment fees, promotion).
- Tickets to sell = takings needed ÷ ticket price.
- Check: tickets to sell ÷ number of sellers = tickets per seller. If that looks impossible, change the price or the target — not your sellers' enthusiasm.
An example
A parents' association needs €2,500 net. Most prizes are donated; it buys €300 worth and expects €200 of expenses. Takings needed: €3,000.
| Ticket price (example) | Tickets to sell | With 40 sellers | With 100 sellers |
|---|---|---|---|
| €2 | 1,500 | 38 each | 15 each |
| €5 | 600 | 15 each | 6 each |
| €10 | 300 | 8 each | 3 each |
The table does not tell you which price to pick: it shows the effort asked of each seller. A cheap ticket needs many sales; a dear ticket needs prizes to match and supporters who can follow.
What changes the right price
- Your supporters: school families, club members and gala guests do not have the same budget.
- The prizes: a strong headline prize justifies a higher price; many smaller prizes make a low price more convincing ("plenty of chances to win").
- The cause: many people buy to support; a clear goal ("the new minibus for the U12s") does more than a low price.
- Books and bundles: a book or bundle at a round price (for example "5 tickets for €10") raises each sale without changing the ticket price.
What people forget
- Unsold tickets earn nothing: aim for a margin, not the exact figure.
- Payment fees apply to the money taken, not the number of tickets: a bigger average sale lowers them in proportion.
- A donation on top: offering to add a donation at checkout raises the takings without touching the price.
- Bought prizes must be paid for even if sales disappoint: confirm donated prizes before buying any.
Price and the permit
Under the 2019 rules summarised by Ogier, a lottery permit covers prizes up to €5,000 and a ticket may not cost more than €10; larger lotteries need a District Court licence. Set the price and the number of tickets before you apply; see How to run a raffle.
Frequently asked questions
Divide the takings you need (target + bought prizes + expenses) by the ticket price, then add a margin, because not every ticket will sell. With €3,000 needed and a €5 ticket, you need to sell 600 tickets.
Neither on principle. Compare how many tickets each seller would have to sell at each price: that real effort decides, together with the prizes and your supporters' budget.
Books make selling by volunteers or pupils easier and money easier to track. A book or bundle at a round price also raises the amount of each sale.
Under a Garda lottery permit, a ticket may not cost more than €10, according to the 2019 rules summarised by Ogier. Check the conditions of your own permit or licence.
In short
- Takings needed ÷ price = tickets to sell; ÷ sellers = effort per seller.
- The right price depends on your supporters, the prizes and the cause.
- Books, bundles and a donation on top raise the takings without changing the price.
- Under a Garda permit, tickets are capped at €10.
How GoTombola helps
On GoTombola you set the price, ticket bundles and the number of tickets planned, offer an add-on donation at checkout and follow progress towards your target sale by sale — paper books included, with connected ticket books.