Why can't small businesses have raffles?

Gaston Edgcomb: I guess it's their way of trying to prevent corruption. If everyone had raffles, I suppose there would always be raffles and less people would participate--or more of them would be scams. Then again, If non-profits can do it, I think the same rules should apply to small businesses as well (you know, like the business has to be established for X many years, etc). I think it's just stupid that something that small is micromanaged by the government. Wherever money is being made, they always seems to look for a way to either get a cut or dry it up (did you know that you have to pay a tax on your inheritance if your grandma dies? Yep. That's pretty low).However, maybe you can find alternatives. For example, find the loop holes. If a contest is what you want for publicity reasons, you could open a raffle under the condition that no purchase is necessary. That's what Pepsi bottles and stuff do (it's written in VERY small print on the bottle cap. That's t! heir way of getting around the rule). That might help with publicity to your store, but unfortunately I don't think that it will help you raise funds to cover costs. Unfortunately, America isn't small business friendly for native-born American citezens, I'm afraid. Maybe you can find some more information here: http://www.sba.gov/It's not much, but all I can think of. Sorry I can't be more help....Show more