Raffle vs. Giveaway vs. Lottery — What's the Difference?
These words get used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Here's a plain-English breakdown.
People mix these terms up all the time. The distinction matters because lotteries are regulated almost everywhere, while giveaways generally are not.
Giveaway
A giveaway is free to enter. You collect names (or social follows, comments, etc.) and pick a winner. No money changes hands. This is what most "Instagram giveaways" are.
Raffle
A traditional raffle charges money for tickets, with the prize funded by ticket sales. Because there's payment + chance + prize, raffles are usually regulated as a form of lottery.
Lottery
A lottery is the formal category: pay to enter, win by chance. Strictly regulated in most countries.
Where LegitRaffle fits
LegitRaffle is a just-for-fun random name picker. We don't sell tickets, take payments, or hold prize money. You bring the names, we pick one fairly. Think "office giveaway" or "Twitch viewer draw," not "state lottery."