Most-asked question

Are lotto, raffles and competitions permissible?

114 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Jamiat KZN, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Camperdown). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“This, in reality, is gambling. In the case of gambling, one pays money in the hope of gaining more money. One might gain or might lose everything. Hence, since, the element of uncertainty is found, it will result in this being tantamount to gambling. Thus, it will not be permissible for one to enter into such a competition.”

Mufti Online — Raffles where a fee is charged · 25 Dec 2019

“The national lottery is pure gambling and the impermissibility of gambling is clearly mentioned in Quraan and Hadith. The cricket tournament is funded by the national lottery as well as ______ Bank, both of which survive on impure funds in the form of interest or interest and gambling.”

Azaadville — Participating In A Sporting Event Sponsored By The Lottery And A Bank · 23 Mar 2024

“Shari’ah has differentiated between gambling and a one-sided bet. A gamble refers to both parties stipulating a payment/prize based on the outcome of an event.”

AskImam — One sided Bet and Gambling · 11 Jun 2023

“No, it is not permissible as this is tantamount to gambling.”

Ibn Masood — Participating In A Raffle · 9 Jul 2025

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Disposing of money earned through gambling Mufti Online · 15 Jun 2026
  2. Participating In A Sporting Event Sponsored By The Lottery And A Bank Azaadville · 23 Mar 2024
  3. Buying a petrol station with a Lotto machine Ibn Masood · 13 Oct 2023
  4. One sided Bet and Gambling AskImam · 11 Jun 2023
  5. Writing a Reference Letter for a Job at a Casino Camperdown · 14 Mar 2023
  6. Software designing for a betting site Jamiat KZN · 22 Mar 2018
  7. Buying stock from a Muslim who sells lotto tickets Mufti Online · 12 May 2022
  8. Health Organizations Funded By National Lottery Ibn Masood · 6 Sep 2025
  9. Is it permissible to partake in the Mahzooz charity lottery scheme? AskImam · 29 Jun 2021
  10. Raffles for charity Jamiat KZN · 21 Aug 2014
  11. Raffles where a fee is charged Mufti Online · 25 Dec 2019
  12. Participating In A Raffle Ibn Masood · 9 Jul 2025
  13. Developing betting websites out of necessity, what do I do? AskImam · 18 Dec 2019
  14. Eating at a casino complex? Jamiat KZN · 28 Mar 2014
  15. Gambling Mufti Online · 26 Jun 2018

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