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Regulators, developers, operators and charities don't always talk the same language and confusion can occur. For purposes of this blogsite and in an attempt to standardize the language surrounding electronic and online raffles, below is a list of definitions used in this space.
Electronic Raffle Definitions:
Raffle is defined as a form of lottery in which a number of persons buy one or more chances to win a prize. Personal contact information needs to be taken. There is a definite winner. Raffles usually have a longer duration than Bearer ticket Raffles.
Bearer Ticket Raffle is defined as a form of lottery in which a number of persons buy one or more chances to win a prize. Personal contact information does not need to be taken as they are generally event based. There is a definite winner.
50/50 raffle is defined as a bearer ticket raffle where the winner receives 50% of the total sales of the raffle and the charity receives 50% of the total sales of the raffle.
Electronic Raffle System is defined as computer software and related equipment used by raffle licencees or charitable organisations to sell tickets, account for sales, and facilitates the drawing of tickets to determine the winners.
Single Event Raffle is defined as a raffle conducted on the same day at the event.
Multi-Event Raffle is defined as a raffle conducted over the course of more than one day and/or more than one event and/or location.
Lottery is defined as a drawing of lots in which prizes are distributed to the winners among persons buying a chance. They are generally state or government run. Personal contact information is not taken; ie they use bearer tickets but it is not a bearer raffle. If there is more than one winner, the prize is shared. If there is no winner, the prize/jackpot accumulates.
Bearer Ticket(s) is/are defined as an electronic or paper ticket that contains one or more draw numbers purchased. It does not require the taking of personal data such as name, address and phone number of ticket purchaser
On-line Purchasing Platform refers to the Raffle System hardware and software which drives the features common to all raffles offered, and which forms the primary interface to the Raffle System for both the patron and the operator. The On-line Purchasing Platform provides the patron with the means to register an account, log in to/out of their account, modify their account information, make ticket purchases, request account activity statement/reports, and close their account. In addition, any web pages displayed to the patron that relate to ticket purchasing offered on the Raffle System. The On-line Purchasing Platform provides the operator with the means to review patron accounts, enable/disable raffles, generate various raffle/financial transaction and account reports, input raffle outcomes, enable/disable patron accounts, and set any configurable parameters.
Counterfoil is defined as an electronic record or paper ticket stub, also known as a barrel ticket, which will be drawn to determine a winner and contains a player's draw number matching the bearer ticket purchased and may, depending on the type of raffle, contain the name, address, or telephone number of the player.
Raffle Sales Unit (RSU) is defined as a portable and/or wireless device, a remote hard wired connected device or standalone cashier station that is used as a point of sale for raffle tickets.
Discounted Ticket(s) is/are defined as raffle tickets that are sold as groups containing a specific number of draw numbers at a discounted price.
Draw Number(s) is/are defined as a number that is provided to the purchaser which may be selected as the winning number for the raffle.
Validation Number(s) is/are defined as a unique number which may represent one or more draw numbers that will be used to validate the winning number for the raffle.
GSM is a defines as a direct-to-mobile gateway is a device which has built-in wireless GSM connectivity. It allows SMS text messages to be sent and/or received by email, from Web pages or from other software applications by acquiring a unique identifier from the mobile phone's Subscriber Identity Module, or "SIM card". Direct-to-mobile gateways are different from SMS aggregators, because they are installed on an organization's own network and connect to a local mobile network.
SMSC is defined as direct-to-short message service center (SMSC) gateway is a software application, or a component within a software application, that connects directly to a mobile operator's SMSC via the Internet or direct leased line connections. The Short Message Peer-to-Peer (SMPP) protocol is typically used to convey SMS between an application and the SMSC. Direct-to-SMSC gateways are used by SMS aggregators to provide SMS services to their clients and large businesses who can justify such use. They are typically employed for high volume messaging and require a contract directly with a mobile operator
Parimutuel betting (from the French: Pari Mutuel or mutual betting) is defined as a betting system in which all bets of a particular type are placed together in a pool; taxes and the "house-take" or "vig" are removed, and payoff odds are calculated by sharing the pool among all winning bets. In some countries it is known as the Tote after the totalisator which calculates and displays bets already made.
Calcultta is a game of chance where a prize of money is awarded from a pool of wagers on a contest of skill limited to amateur and professional sporting events. Those who wager bid at auction for the exclusive right to urchase or wager upon a particular contestnat or entrant in the event.