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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Special Olympics Washington Dream House Raffle?

The Special Olympics Washington Dream House Raffle raises funds for the organization's continuing efforts to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit and valued members of their communities. In addition to supporting Special Olympics Washington, the raffle will be giving away over 4,250 prizes, of which the Grand Prize is a $9 million Puget Sound Dream Home or $4 million in cash.

How do I purchase raffle tickets?

What are the prizes?

Do you accept applications by email or sell tickets on the internet?

No. Pursuant to Washington Administrative code, charitable raffle tickets may not be sold or accepted on the internet.

How long will it take to receive my ticket in the mail?

At least three weeks. All tickets purchased before an entry deadline are included in a drawing even if the customer's portion of the ticket arrives after the drawing date.

How long will it take to receive my receipt by email?

Receipts are delivered within 5 minutes after an order is processed to the email address provided at the time of entry. If you did not receive your email receipt, check your SPAM folder or add raffle@sowa.org as a trusted name in your address book.

Is this Dream House Raffle legal?

Yes it is. As noted in RCW 9.46.0323, qualified non-profit organization may conduct enhanced raffles with the approval and supervision of the Washington State Gambling Commission. Special Olympics Washington has been approved by the Washington State Gambling Commission to conduct this raffle pursuant to Washington State Enhanced Raffle Rules.

Will the drawings be audited?

Yes, a raffle auditor will audit the raffle as well as supervise the Appreciation Drawing, Early Bird Drawings, the $100K Add-On Drawing, and the Grand Prize Drawing.

How much does a raffle ticket cost?

How many raffle tickets can I buy?

You may buy as many as you'd like.

How many raffle tickets will be sold?

Only 85,000 tickets will be sold. The chances of winning are based on that number. If fewer tickets are sold, the chances of winning the Grand Prize and other prizes improve. There are 4,250 total prizes making the odds of winning a prize 1 in 20. Purchasing more than one ticket increases the chances of winning.

What are the odds of winning?

The odds of winning the Dream House or $4,000,000 are based on the number of tickets sold. If all tickets are sold the odds of winning the Grand Prize are 1 in 85,000. There are over 4,250 other prizes available making the odds of winning a prize 1 in 20.

How many prizes are awarded?

4,250 prizes are awarded including the Grand Prize, vehicles, vacations, and gift cards.

What are the Early Bird Drawings?

There are two Early Bird Drawings. This is meant to encourage people to purchase tickets sooner rather than later. When you purchase your tickets early, you have more chances to win! If you purchase a ticket before an Early Bird deadline you are included in the Early Bird Drawing, the subsequent Early Bird Drawings AND included in the Grand Prize Drawing. All tickets entered into the Early Bird Drawings, as well as Early Bird Drawing winners are included in the Grand Prize Drawing.

Can you tell me more about Early Bird Drawing 1?

Can you tell me more about Early Bird Drawing 2?

What is the $100K Add-On Drawing?

What are the Weekly Add-On Drawings?

Who benefits from this raffle?

Proceeds from the raffle will benefit thousands of individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state who participate in Special Olympics Washington's programs. Plus, raffle winners will walk away with great prizes too.

When does the raffle start and when does it end?

The raffle begins on January 22, 2024 and ends on April 26, 2024.

When will the prize drawings be held?

Do I have to be present to win?

No. All winners will be notified by phone or email following the drawings. Winners will also be posted on the prize winners page.

How will the winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by phone or email based on the contact information provided at the time of ticket purchase. The winning names will also be posted on this website shortly after the drawing.

Who can buy a raffle ticket?

Any person 18 years of age or older. Employees and members of the Board of Directors of Special Olympics Washington, employees of their agents, consultants, attorney, independent accountant firm, their spouses and children living in the same household are excluded from participating and are not eligible to win a prize. All federal, state, local laws and regulations apply. The raffle is void where prohibited or restricted by law. An affidavit of eligibility, provided by Special Olympics Washington, may be required from prize winners. Not open to residents of California.

Why can't residents of California participate in the raffle?

California law does not permit California residents to participate in raffles that are not registered in the State of California.

Are raffle tickets tax-deductible?

No. The IRS does not allow raffle tickets to be a tax-deductible contribution.

Are raffle prizes considered income?

Yes. In addition, Special Olympics Washington will withhold required federal taxes for all prizes over $5,000 in accordance with federal law and the organization will remit the balance of the cash prizes to the winner. All prize winners of prizes over $5,000 may be required to submit an IRS Form 5754 and a W-2G in order to be awarded the prize.

Are there legal rules and regulations?

Yes. They may be viewed under the Rules and Regulations section of this web site.

How do I redeem my prize?

Prize winners will be contacted according to the contact information provided at the time of ticket purchase. In addition to a list of winners posted on the Special Olympics Washington raffle web site, a list of winners may be obtained from Special Olympics Washington by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Special Olympics Washington Raffle, 2815 2nd Ave Suite 370, Seattle, WA 98121, within one week of the Grand Prize Drawing date.

Has the house ever been claimed as the Grand Prize?

So that the Dream House Raffle can be a sustainable fundraiser for Special Olympics Washington, we set a minimum ticket sales threshold that must be met before the house is eligible for the Grand Prize. As of our 2023 raffle, the minimum number of tickets sold has not been met. For the 2024 Dream House Raffle, a minimum of 84,000 tickets must be sold by April 26, 2024 for the Grand Prize winner to have the choice of the house.

Why is there a ticket-sales threshold for the house to be available for the Grand Prize?

All prizes for the Dream House Raffle are purchased, including the house. None of the prizes are donated and as a non-profit, Special Olympics Washington does not want to over commit to what is given away. A minimum number of tickets sold is needed for the raffle to continue as a viable fundraiser and so that we can purchase the house if the Grand Prize winner selects this option.

How do I get more information on Special Olympics Washington?

Please visit www.specialolympicswashington.org or call (206) 362-4949.

How can I make a tax-deductible contribution to Special Olympics Washington?

Please visit www.specialolympicswashington.org/donate/ or call 206-362-4949.

Still have questions about the raffle that aren't answered here?

Please visit the Rules and Regulations section of this web site or contact the raffle office: raffle@sowa.org

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