Clarification Needed on Raffle Policy

[mljudd]

We are a 501(c)3 non-profit hosting a virtual fundraiser in Michigan instead of an in-person event due to the pandemic. We have a raffle license and would like to clarify whether or not we can in fact sell 50/50 tickets, raffle tickets for cash prizes, and raffle tickets for donated goods & services on our square site. 

The seller policy states the following is prohibited:

• Betting, including lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, Fantasy Football, off-track betting, and wagers at races

I am not sure if our raffles are considered betting as defined by Square, or if our offerings are permissible since we are operating with a State of Michigan Rafle License. Would like to hear from a Square staffer before we proceed.

Thanks in advance.

[#2]

Hey! Thanks for reaching out and welcome to the Seller Community. I'm glad you asked. 50/50 raffles would be prohibited as they offer a cash prize. Unfortunately we can not accept payments for these types of events, even for charitable causes.

[Jayv2251]

I can see needing to regulate such items as rifles, shotguns, and pistols. I work with knives though. I currently offer a sharpening service for knives, scissors, and tools. It is my hope to also expand into offering knives for sale as well. (custom knives and licensed distributorship for other companies) The term "knife" can mean many things. Some might see a weapon, but in the time I've been doing this, I've been sharpening culinary knives, work knives, carving knives, woodworking knives, hunting knives, and butcher knives. Who is going to determine if something is a weapon or if it's a tool??? It's a rather subjective area... 

[Donnie-M]

@Jayv2251 I can see that knives are not prohibited unless they are marketed for use as self defense or to cause bodily harm.  The terms of service has a key phrase here: "weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury".  I think the "and" is very significant and is grouped under the sub point "ii".  Anything designed for self defense would be considered a weapon at the time and also anything designed to hurt someone such as a billy club.  Those types clearly are designed for one purpose only.  Even state laws will define what kinds of knives are weapons and when I went to culinary school I carried a knife bag and digital scales for weighing items in baking.  Those could be also considered weapon and drug paraphernalia except I was going to culinary school and didn't have a bunch of little baggies of illegal substances.

So yes, it is all about the intent and the marketing from what I know.  I think you would be fine but square is always the final judge.  Just don't market the knives as so sharp they will chop the arm off a home intruder and you should be good!