unforum

[cracksmurf]

[Rogi Ocnorb]

I can think of 3 options (all of which have their downsides).
1) Find a non-US host
2) Add an element of skill to it.
3) Sell something and then do a drawing for FREE prizes.
Possibly something like...
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6050

[Broklynite]

1. As I seem to recall, UF *is* a non-profit organization. But I think that if we started doing something like this, especially without their consent/permission, we might get everyone into hot water.
2. People pay their own shipping.
3. Have a free raffle, with heavily suggested donations, though the donations are not required (or as they say in the commercials- no purchase necessary)
4. Holders sell you their item for $0.01 which transfers ownership. Then you hold a raffle for the prize, which the person has to pay $10 ($15 for an item to include shipping?). You then take the money and donate it to UF? Naturally, it would mean much, much less money than a classic straight-up raffle, but it would still be a few bucks.

[SpaceBass]

[Broklynite]

[SpaceBass]

Technically, we do have to pay minimum taxes each year whether or not we make a profit. The first year of incorporation was a special case because startup costs included a rollup of all expenses and income from a few years prior, and we had more than enough expenses to offset Andy's gift. At the time, it seemed like a bad idea to form as a non-profit because of all the additional record-keeping and reporting requirements. Live and learn, I guess.

</derail>

[Broklynite]

[Nighthawk]

If my Florida corporation (Darklight Interactive) can assist in any way regarding this, do let me know.

I am not "non-profit"... But I'm sure we can come up with something to circumvent the legal issues regarding this the way it was planned.

According to the law as I looked up (note that I am NOT a lawyer), there are three aspects that define a giveaway:

1) Chance, as is the case in a random drawing
2) A prize
3) Consideration, as is the case in paying for the entry

If you're all three, you're not a "sweepstakes" anymore... You're an "illegal lottery".

The simplest way around that is to not require payment for entry - the usual "...no purchase necessary..." clause - which removes the "Consideration" one above. Note that the means of entering for free "...must not be unduly burdensome."

The way I see it, if we permit people to enter the raffle without actually purchasing anything, legality of this is no longer an issue.

Furthermore, in cases where they make a contest require a "skill challenge"... I've seen contests where the "skill" involved a math problem.


ETA: State of Florida guidelines...

[VanGoghX]

This is going to sound like a really silly suggestion, buuut....
What if we had an Alternate Reality Raffle?
Not a real raffle, of course, but a pretend one.
Those of us who are enjoying it might send out gifts to show their enjoyment of the ARR. I'd be willing to give the organizer of the ARR a gift of $10 to their PayPal account as a token of my enjoyment of the ARR.
Maybe the organizer might send out a couple gifts as well. Friends exchanging gifts. For some the gift giving may be one way (aint that the way with gifts?) but they're not giving to get anyways.
It wouldn't even really be a raffle at all, just gift giving between friends.

~sigh~ I don't know. Just a silly suggestion.

EDIT: Something like:
Bob sent a gift of $10
Jill sent a gift of $10
Fred, Jeff, Steve, etc. all did the same.

Then in Dec. you send out some gifts that you've been saving up for the past couple months. How you decide who gets gifts is entirely up to you. It'd be more like Christmas than anything.

[stinji]

a little off topic

Nighthawk- Darklight interactive

the lasertag system?

[Nighthawk]

Uh... No.

[cracksmurf]

Hey everyone, I've been real busy this past week so haven't had time to sit down and look at everyone's suggestions as far as the raffle goes. I hope to have free time about midweek to take a look at them and try and work out some more ideas. At the very least this becomes a free raffle with a suggestion for donations towards the forum. I'll keep you all up to date once I manage to get a working setup going. At that time I will reset the raffle and re-verify all pledges are still in.

Until then I hope you all are enjoying the holiday weekend.
Cracksmurf-

[cracksmurf]

For those of you interested, I am making a second attempt at this raffle.

[Christien]

If all the legal problems have been resolved, then consider me on board.

[cracksmurf]