How to Run a Raffle Online and Draw a Fair Winner
Collect every entry into one list, one per line, paste it into a random name picker and draw. Decide beforehand whether repeated names are extra tickets or duplicates, and draw every prize from the same list so winners can't win twice.
What do you need to run a raffle online?
To run a raffle online you need a list of entries, published rules, a random picker and a way for ticket holders to watch the draw.
- A list of every entry, one per line.
- Published rules: what the prizes are, who can enter and when the draw happens.
- A random picker that draws from the list, such as the random name picker.
- A way to record the draw, like a screen recording or a live stream.
How do you run the draw, step by step?
An online raffle draw takes five steps, and deciding what counts as a duplicate is the one to settle before anything else.
- Export the entries. From a form, spreadsheet, ticket system or DMs, get one entry per row.
- Decide what a duplicate means. The same name twice is either one person entered twice (remove it) or one person with two tickets (keep it).
- Paste the list. Copy the column and paste it into the name picker. Blank lines and extra spaces are ignored.
- Set the number of winners. Up to ten in one draw, drawn without repeats.
- Draw on camera. Record or stream the draw so ticket holders can see it.
Should you remove duplicate names?
Remove duplicate names when each person gets one entry, and keep them when repeated lines represent extra tickets.
| Your raffle | Duplicate removal | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One entry per person | On (the default) | Someone listed twice by mistake still gets one chance |
| People can buy or earn several tickets | Off | Each extra line is an extra ticket |
| Numbered tickets | Either | Ticket numbers are already unique |
Duplicate matching ignores capitalisation and extra spaces, so “Ana Silva” and “ana silva” count as the same name. Two different people with the same name will also be merged, so add something unique, such as an email or ticket number, when that could happen.
How do you draw several prizes fairly?
Draw all the prizes in one go when you can: set the number of winners to the number of prizes and assign them in draw order. If you draw prizes one at a time, for example live between segments, keep the picker's “exclude previous winners” switch on so a winner can't be drawn again for a later prize.
Is an online raffle legal?
It depends on where you are. In many places, a draw where people pay for a chance to win a prize is regulated as a lottery or raffle, and charities often need a licence or registration. Free-entry prize draws are usually simpler. Check the rules that apply to you before selling tickets; this guide is not legal advice.
What if the entries are social media comments?
Skip the list. A comment picker reads the entrants straight from the post: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick a random winner from a list of names?
Paste the names into a random name picker, one per line, choose how many winners you need and press draw. GiveawayPicker's name picker is free and runs in your browser.
How many names can the random name picker handle?
Up to 5,000 names per list. Anything beyond that is left out of the draw, and the picker tells you when that happens.
Can someone have more than one raffle ticket?
Yes. List them once per ticket and switch duplicate removal off, so each line counts as a separate entry.
Can the same person win two prizes?
Not if you draw all prizes in one go, because winners are drawn without repeats, or if you keep the exclude-previous-winners switch on between separate draws.
Is my list uploaded anywhere?
No. The random name picker runs entirely in your browser; the names you paste are not sent to GiveawayPicker's servers.
The random name picker is free, needs no login and picks up to five winners from a public post in one draw.
Open the random name picker