Creating Raffles
Creating Raffles
This guide covers all the options available when creating a raffle product.
Raffle product type
Raffles are a special WooCommerce product type. When you select "Raffle" from the Product data dropdown, you'll see raffle-specific settings.
Basic product settings
General tab
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Regular price | Ticket price (required) |
| Sale price | Discounted ticket price (optional) |
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Raffle settings tab
Duration settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Start Date | When the raffle opens for ticket sales |
| Start Time | Time the raffle starts (HH:MM format) |
| End Date | When the raffle closes |
| End Time | Time the raffle ends (HH:MM format) |
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Tips:
- Leave start date empty to start immediately.
- Leave end date empty for no expiration.
- The countdown timer shows on the product page.
Ticket settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum Tickets | Total tickets available (empty = unlimited) |
| Max Tickets Per Customer | Limit per customer (empty = no limit) |
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Notes:
- Per-customer limits are enforced across all orders.
- Non-gift raffle items with a limit have read-only quantity in the cart.
- Gift tickets are exempt from per-customer limits.
Gift purchase
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow Gift Purchases | Use global setting / Yes / No |
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When enabled, customers see a gift checkbox on the product page and can enter per-ticket recipient details at checkout.
Winner settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of Winners | How many winners to draw (1-10) |
| Auto Draw | Automatically select winners when raffle ends |
| Unique Winners | Prevent same person from winning multiple prizes in one draw |
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Instant Win settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Instant Win | Evaluate each ticket at purchase time |
| Mode | Probability (random chance per ticket) or Guaranteed (one winner every N tickets) |
| Win Probability (1 in N) | Probability mode: chance denominator (e.g., 50 = 1-in-50 chance) |
| Win Every N Tickets | Guaranteed mode: interval size for one winner |
| Max Instant Winners | Maximum total instant winners (empty = unlimited) |
| Require Instant Payment | Hide offline gateways (BACS, cheque, COD) for this raffle |
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See Instant Win for detailed documentation.
Checkout settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Skip cart page | Redirect customers directly to checkout after add-to-cart |
| Disabled payment gateways | Multi-select of gateways to hide when this raffle is in the cart |
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Prize configuration
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Prize Type | Custom, Product, or Store Credit |
| Prize Description | Description of what winner receives |
| Prize Value | Display value (for Custom type) |
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Ticket settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Ticket Suffix | Text appended after ticket numbers (e.g., "-VIP"). Complements the global prefix. |
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Compliance settings
These fields let you override the global compliance settings for this specific raffle. See Compliance & Privacy for full details.
| Field | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Skill-Testing Question | Use global / Yes / No | Require a skill question to add to cart |
| Question Source | Global pool / Custom | Use global question pool or a custom one |
| Custom Question | Text field | The question (when source is Custom) |
| Question Type | Text / Multiple Choice | Answer input type |
| Correct Answer | Text field | The answer to match |
| Choices | Textarea | MC options, one per line |
| Free Entry Route | Use global / Yes / No | Show a "Free Entry" tab |
| Free Entry Instructions | Textarea | Custom instructions for this product |
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Notes:
- "Use global setting" follows whatever is set in WooCommerce → Settings → Raffle → Compliance.
- Custom questions override the global question pool for this product only.
- Free entry instructions support the
[Your Address]placeholder (auto-replaced with store address).
Prize types explained
Custom prize
- Enter any description (e.g., "Trip to Hawaii", "Cash Prize").
- Set a display value.
- Winner is notified, you fulfill manually.
Product prize
- Select existing WooCommerce product(s) as prizes.
- Winner automatically receives a $0 order with the prize product.
- Great for physical prizes from your store.
Store credit
- Winner receives store credit or coupon.
- If WooCommerce store credit plugin is active, creates store credit.
- Otherwise, creates a coupon code.
Multiple prize tiers
When "Number of Winners" is greater than 1, you can set different prizes:
- 1st Prize: Main prize.
- 2nd Prize: Runner-up prize.
- 3rd Prize: Third place prize.
- And so on...
Frontend display
Product page elements
Your raffle product page shows:
- Countdown Timer - Days, hours, minutes, seconds until end.
- Progress Bar - Tickets sold vs. remaining.
- Prize Information - Prize details and value.
- Instant Win Badge - Gold badge shown when instant win is enabled.
- Skill-Testing Question - Random question from pool (if enabled), with optional timer.
- Paid Entry / Free Entry Tabs - Tab navigation (if free entry is enabled).
- Gift Checkbox - Option to buy as a gift (if gift is enabled).
- Ticket Selector - Quantity input with limits.
- Buy Ticket Button - Add to cart.
Raffle states
| State | Display |
|---|---|
| Not Started | Shows start date, no purchasing |
| Active | Full purchasing enabled |
| Sold Out | Shows sold out message |
| Ended | Shows ended message, displays winners |
| Cancelled | Admin cancelled the raffle, no purchasing |
| Failed | Automatic draw failed, marked for admin review |
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Shortcodes
You can embed raffle elements on any page. See Shortcodes for the full reference.
Quick examples:
[raffle_card id="123"]
[raffle_cards status="active" columns="3"]
[raffle_countdown id="active"]Best practices
Pricing
- Price tickets appropriately for your audience.
- Consider bulk discounts using WooCommerce coupons.
Duration
- 1-2 weeks is typical for online raffles.
- Shorter duration creates urgency.
- Longer duration allows more promotion time.
Limits
- Set per-customer limits for fairness.
- Total ticket limits create scarcity.
- Gift purchases are exempt from per-customer limits.
Images
- Use high-quality prize photos.
- Show the actual prize, not stock images.
- Gallery images work great for multiple prizes.
Compliance
- Enable skill-testing question if required by your jurisdiction.
- Enable free entry if "no purchase necessary" is legally required.
- Set up both globally, then override per-product if needed.
Examples
Charity fundraiser
- Price: $10
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Max tickets: 500
- Per customer: 20
- Gift purchases: Enabled
- Prize: Custom ("Weekend Getaway Package - Value $1,500")
Canadian compliance raffle
- Price: $25
- Duration: 1 month
- Skill question: Enabled (math questions)
- Free entry: Enabled (mail-in)
- Gift purchases: Enabled
- Prize: Custom ("$5,000 Cash Prize")
Store promotion
- Price: $5
- Duration: 1 week
- Max tickets: Unlimited
- Per customer: 10
- Prize: Product (select from store inventory)
- Auto draw: Enabled
Club member draw
- Price: $25
- Duration: 1 month
- Max tickets: 200
- Per customer: 5
- Prize: Store Credit ($500)