Most-asked question
Are lotto, raffles and competitions permissible?
114 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 6 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, Camperdown, Azaadville). 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“No, it is not permissible as this is tantamount to gambling.”
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
- Disposing of money earned through gamblingMufti Online · 15 Jun 2026
- Participating In A Sporting Event Sponsored By The Lottery And A BankAzaadville · 23 Mar 2024
- Buying a petrol station with a Lotto machineIbn Masood · 13 Oct 2023
- One sided Bet and GamblingAsk Imaam · 11 Jun 2023
- Writing a Reference Letter for a Job at a CasinoCamperdown · 14 Mar 2023
- Software designing for a betting siteJamiat KZN · 22 Mar 2018
- Buying stock from a Muslim who sells lotto ticketsMufti Online · 12 May 2022
- Health Organizations Funded By National LotteryIbn Masood · 6 Sep 2025
- Is it permissible to partake in the Mahzooz charity lottery scheme?Ask Imaam · 29 Jun 2021
- Raffles for charityJamiat KZN · 21 Aug 2014
- Raffles where a fee is chargedMufti Online · 25 Dec 2019
- Participating In A RaffleIbn Masood · 9 Jul 2025
- Developing betting websites out of necessity, what do I do?Ask Imaam · 18 Dec 2019
- Eating at a casino complex?Jamiat KZN · 28 Mar 2014
- GamblingMufti Online · 26 Jun 2018
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