The Wodonga Raiders Football and Netball Club has been ordered to redraw its major fundraising raffle after discovering that the original winner was not eligible to receive the prize. The first prize, a vehicle valued at $70,000, was won by a club committee member, which breached the raffle’s conditions.
The raffle was organised by the north-east Victorian sporting club as a fundraising initiative and attracted thousands of ticket buyers. The major prize draw was conducted through a live social media broadcast, but the club later placed the prize handover on hold after identifying that the winner was connected to the organisation and excluded under the raffle rules.
The matter was referred to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), which reviewed the situation and directed the club to conduct a new draw to ensure the raffle complied with Victorian regulations. The redraw is scheduled to take place at the clubrooms, with all eligible existing tickets remaining in the draw.
The raffle rules stated that committee members, people directly involved in organising the raffle, and their immediate relatives were not permitted to enter. These conditions are designed to maintain fairness and ensure that all participants have an equal opportunity to win.
The club confirmed that no additional tickets would be sold before the redraw. Some tickets were refunded after the initial draw, and only valid remaining entries will be included in the new selection process.
Wodonga Raiders officials said the eligibility issue was an oversight during the original draw process. The club acknowledged the mistake and worked with regulators to resolve the matter while maintaining transparency with ticket holders and supporters.
Community raffles are an important fundraising method for many sporting organisations across Australia, helping clubs support operations, facilities, and local programs. However, organisations must follow strict rules around permits, ticket management, and winner eligibility to ensure public confidence.
The incident highlights the importance of strong compliance procedures when community organisations conduct large fundraising activities. Proper checks before announcing winners can help prevent disputes and protect the reputation of clubs that rely on community support.
The Wodonga Raiders will now proceed with the redraw process under regulatory requirements, giving eligible participants another opportunity to win the major prize.
