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Meat raffle cap expected to move from $70 per-event prize to $200
The proposed legislation enjoys rare bipartisan support in the Minnesota legislature
Minnesota lawmakers are contemplating a “meat raffle modernization” bill—basically updating decades-old rules around these charitable gambling events.
The Associated Press noted that meat raffles have been popular in pockets of the U.S. for decades, offering a fun way to raise money for charities while handing out prizes ranging from ground beef and hot dogs to chicken breasts and steaks. But while inflation has surged and meat prices have soared, Minnesota’s $70 per-event prize limit hasn’t changed in nearly 40 years.
And while the deeply divided Minnesota Legislature hasn’t agreed on much this past year, lawmakers all appear to be on board by upping the cap on meat raffles to $200.
That will allow charities to offer more and bigger grill packs, and thicker, fancier steaks, while funding local youth sports teams and other causes. And it will ensure that the state’s beloved if quirky tradition of gambling for meat products will remain viable.
“This is probably the best feel-good bill that we have going on in the Legislature right now,” said Republican Rep. Jim Nash, lead House author of the meat raffle legislation.
Key Proposed Changes
Increase prize limits
Current cap: $70 per raffle prize
Proposed cap: $200
Increase ticket prices
Current max: $2 per ticket
Proposed max: $5 per ticket
Clarify allowable prizes
Meat (and meat-related gift cards) remain allowed
Restrictions to prevent prizes that function like cash equivalents
Meat raffles originated during World War II as a response to wartime rationing in the United Kingdom. They spread to Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and eventually migrated to Minnesota, Wisconsin, western New York and a few other states.
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
