For the Love of Winning: The Psychology Behind A 50/50 Raffle
It’s the end of the period at the Blues hockey game, and the announcer calls your attention to the winning ticket of this game’s 50/50 raffle. As the name gets ready to roll across the screen, there’s a moment where you think “Will I be the winner?”
There’s something timeless about 50/50 raffle tickets. Whether they are announced at halftime or selected with the click of a button online, it’s hard to resist joining in when it’s for a good cause. The raffle’s simple formula — half to the winner and half to a chosen charity — has been winning hearts and raising funds for decades. But, what keeps people coming back for more?
Read on to see what human motivators help a 50/50 fundraiser contribute to a more successful campaign.
The Thrill of Chance
50/50 raffles are powered by one of the oldest motivators there is — curiosity. There’s a rush you feel when your ticket number is called, or when the jackpot climbs higher throughout an event. We all fall into the thrill of that chance you will win also known psychologically as the “variable reward” effect.
The variable reward effect is a psychological principle that explains why people stay engaged when an outcome is unpredictable. That unpredictability triggers our brain to release dopamine — a feel-good chemical tied to excitement and anticipation you feel before a raffle ticket number is called. Despite the odds being low, people participate because the small cost of the ticket outweighs the potential of winning that bigger prize.
In addition, a 50/50 fundraiser is a perfect blend of immediacy and connection. The stakes are smaller, the crowd is familiar and the prize pool builds before your eyes in a community-based suspense. And, an online raffle ramps up the excitement even more with real-time updates, growing jackpots and notifications to keep participants engaged long after their ticket purchase.
An Act of Generosity
A 50/50 raffle ticket is not just an act of chance — it’s also a “give back” moment. The ticket purchase is a dual motivation because buying a ticket with a small dollar amount justifies the risk of not taking home the larger sum. In addition, it often leaves people with a warmth of supporting their favorite causes.
Studies show that small fundraising activities lead to a “warm glow effect,” which is a feeling people get when they give to others. Even when participants don’t win the jackpot, they still know their money went to a good cause.
This blend of altruism and excitement makes them a powerful strategy to an organization’s fundraising calendar. They allow people to enjoy the fun of the game and do good for a cause they care about. And, online 50/50 raffles amplify that generosity even further through shareable links, real-time updates and celebratory messages of success.
The Click of a Button
The appeal of a 50/50 raffle is elevated by its simplicity. All a participant has to do is contribute a small sum and they have a chance to win big. That clarity and ease is a big reason why these raffles have stood the test of time.
In psychology, this boils down to cognitive ease — when something feels easy to understand, more people are likely to trust it and take action. 50/50 raffles have a clear concept that can be delivered in-person or online. That simplicity contributes to how often people buy-in to the experience.
Online 50/50 raffles also make participation even easier by eliminating paper tickets and cash boxes. With just a few taps on your phone or a tablet, supporters can buy entries, share links and track the prize pool as it grows. This streamlined process not only boosts engagement, but it also builds transparency and trust — two essentials for any successful fundraiser.
A Social Activity
Our world is more social than ever. People are more likely to participate when they see others contributing, especially when it looks fun, rewarding or community-driven. That’s why 50/50 fundraisers thrive in group settings. From fans at a game to friends sharing a link online, participation grows through social proof — the psychological phenomenon where people are more likely to act when they see others doing the same.
Each time someone buys a ticket or shares a raffle link, it sparks curiosity. People begin to think, “If they are doing it, maybe I should too.” That fear of missing out (FOMO) gives a raffle added momentum, especially when time is running out to grab your ticket.
Online 50/50 raffles take this dynamic to the next level. With digital sharing tools, supporters can easily spread the word through text, email or social media — turning every participant into a micro-ambassador for your cause. The more visible and shareable your raffle becomes, the more people will connect, compete and celebrate together.
From Cash Jars to Online
In the early days of 50/50 raffles, participants would place cash in a jar and see who took the jackpot home. As fundraising has moved online, the same spirit of community giving has evolved into a more transparent and trustworthy experience.
In traditional raffles, participants had to rely on word of mouth or be at the event to know who won or how much was raised. Today, digital platforms make every part of the process visible and verifiable — from automated ticket tracking to instant prize calculations and public winner announcements. That transparency strengthens confidence and builds lasting relationships with supporters.
Online raffles also remove common pain points: remote ticket purchasing, lost tickets, unclear rules or slow payouts. Secure payment processing and digital receipts ensure everything is handled fairly and efficiently. And for organizers, real-time reporting tools make it easy to show exactly how funds are being used — reinforcing the integrity of the cause.
How to Apply Psychology to Your Next 50/50 Raffle
Understanding the psychology behind 50/50 raffles is a powerful tool for your fundraising efforts. When you know what motivates your community to participate, you can design your fundraiser to be more engaging and shareable across platforms.
Here are a few tips to put these insights into practice:
- Keep it simple. Make ticket buying effortless with clear instructions and minimal steps.
- Let anticipation build. Use countdowns, jackpot updates and winner announcements to enhance the thrill of the big payout.
- Share your cause. Remind supporters who they are funding. When people feel connected, they are more likely to play again or spread the word.
- Up the sharing capabilities. Give participants easy ways to share your 50/50 fundraiser through links and shareable social posts.
- Be transparent. Show tickets sold, display proceeds in real-time and celebrate winners publicly to build more credibility.
An Effective Balance of Heart and Chance
50/50 raffles have stood the test of time — hitting the sweet spot between excitement, simplicity and generosity. They give people the thrill of chance while letting them feel good because they are giving to a good cause. From in-person events to online platforms, the core psychology remains the same and understanding it will help create a memorable fundraising experience.
With Go Raise Dough, reimagining your fundraising has never been easier. Our platform streamlines ticket sales, promotes social sharing, and provides a secure place to store participant data. Whether you are a school, sports team or nonprofit, Go Raise Dough is here to help you combine heart and chance to raise more, engage more and make your next online 50/50 raffle a success.
Reimagine your fundraising and see how our online raffle options may benefit your organization.