Quick summary: Guatemala’s Departmental Government authorizes individuals and legal entities to run raffles and drawings open to the public. Zacapa: free (Q0), 15 days, online submission (checked 2 November 2026). The filing is based on Decreto 1610 (Regulations for Lotteries, Raffles and Games) and applies to schools, churches, associations, committees, companies and individuals organizing raffles for profit or charity.

What the Raffle and Drawing Authorization Is

It is the official permit that the Departmental Government grants to individuals and legal entities so they can run raffles and drawings authorized for the public, in accordance with the Raffles and Drawings Law and its regulation.

Without this authorization, organizing a public raffle (selling tickets, advertising prizes, holding the drawing) is illegal in Guatemala. The authorization legalizes the event, protects the organizer against complaints and lets winners claim the prize with legal backing.

  • Issued by: Departmental Government of the location where the raffle takes place
  • Output: Resolution authorizing raffles and drawings
  • Filing fee: Q0 (free)
  • Timeline: 15 days in Zacapa (checked 2 November 2026)
  • Channel: online submission in Zacapa

Requirements

Per the official form published by the Departmental Government, the applicant must submit:

For an individual

  • Valid DPI (Guatemalan ID)
  • Authorization form completed and signed
  • Event description: type of raffle, prizes, drawing date, location, number of tickets to issue, ticket price
  • Prize list with estimated value and origin (donated, purchased)
  • Sample ticket that will be printed and sold
  • Drawing mechanics (winner-selection system)

In addition to the items above:

  • Public deed of incorporation (association, company, committee)
  • Trade permit or resolution confirming legal status
  • Current legal representative appointment
  • Legal representative’s DPI
  • Entity NIT — verify it with the CUI/NIT lookup

Post-event requirements

After the drawing, the catalogue listings ask the organizer to file (Zacapa, service 2762: the winners list and a finiquito for prize delivery; San Marcos, service 2753: the notarial minutes, the winning ticket, the winner’s DPI copy and the SAT tax payment):

  • Drawing minutes (acta notarial) from the notary present at the draw
  • Winner identification
  • Prize delivery proof

Steps to Obtain the Authorization

  1. Download and complete the Raffle and Drawing Authorization form from the official page: gobernacionzacapa.gob.gt/autorizacion-de-rifas-y-sorteos/ (the standard form serves as a reference for other departments).
  2. Gather supporting documents listed in the form (DPI, event description, sample ticket, prize list, legal-entity documents if applicable).
  3. Submit the application with supporting documents to the Departmental Government of the department where the raffle will take place.
  4. Wait for the resolution — Zacapa publishes a response time of 15 days (checked 2 November 2026).
  5. Receive the authorization resolution signed by the Departmental Government. The resolution must be available for inspection at the drawing site.
  6. File post-event requirements after the drawing: minutes, winner identification and prize delivery proof.

Tip: If the raffle spans multiple departments (e.g., tickets sold in several places but a single drawing), check with the Departmental Government where the drawing will be held about whether you need extra notification to the other departmental governments.

Cost and Time

ItemValue
Filing feeQ0 (free)
Official timeline15 days (Zacapa, checked 2 November 2026)
ChannelOnline submission (Zacapa)
OutputAuthorization resolution
ValidityFor the authorized event

The filing is free. The organizer pays accessory costs, including the notary: Art. 6 of the Reglamento para Loterías, Rifas y Juegos Similares, as reformed by Acuerdo Gubernativo 54-2015, says draws take place before a notary named by the Ministerio de Gobernación, whose fees the applicant pays. The reglamento sets no amount for those fees. The Zacapa listing in the national catalogue also names a 10% single bond and the 10% ISR and 3% stamp-tax payment (by the organiser or the winner). Corrected 25 September 2026: this paragraph previously gave a Q500-Q2,000 notary-fee range that no source we hold supports. For what Guatemalan law says about gambling more broadly, see is gambling legal in Guatemala.

Prizes above certain thresholds may trigger ISR withholding by the organizer per Article 5 literal k) of the ISR Law.

How to Apply

  1. Visit the official page: gobernacionzacapa.gob.gt/autorizacion-de-rifas-y-sorteos/ (the older address gobernacionzacapa.gob.gt/rifas-y-sorteos/ no longer works; checked October 16, 2026)
  2. Download the form and the requirements list
  3. Fill in the form with full event and organizer details
  4. Gather supporting documents (DPI, prize list, sample ticket)
  5. For Zacapa, scan the form and supporting documents, upload them on the official procedure page with your contact details, and press Send; the office sends an acknowledgement and procedure code
  6. Wait for the resolution (Zacapa publishes 15 days, checked 2 November 2026)
  7. Keep a copy of the resolution at the event and file post-event requirements after the drawing

If your event involves recurring drawings or more structured games of chance (lotteries, casinos, commercial bingos), a different regime applies and you should consult the Departmental Government directly before filing.

Correction (2 November 2026): the five-business-day timeline and in-person-only instructions came from the older catalogue listing. Zacapa’s current procedure page publishes 15 days and online submission. These details apply to Zacapa; confirm the procedure with the department where the drawing will take place.