Hmmmm I hope this doesn’t include offering non-patreon tier commission slots and stuff to them first before I put it to the public. They are paying for that slot separate from their patreon payment, they just get notifications first before the public, like a mailing list. 
I wouldn’t think givin’ patrons first dibs on commission slots would be considered gambling, but more a perk of patronage because they’re still paying for the commission. I don’t think it’s any different than having a limited tier as those are also first come, first serve.
Here’s hoping
No, its only about randomizing things to your Patreons. First dibs != random, so you are good by my read of the ToS. Its just about avoiding anything that looks like gambling (i.e. randomization).
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In hopes that it will encourage them to stick around for a while longer I give my patrons gifts after every six months they have supported me. I used to mail them a little something, but due to rising postal costs have recently switched over to all digital gifts: 50% off a downloadable tutorial, or one for free for higher tiers.
I check in once a month to see who is up and email them their coupon code. It’s kind of a pain to figure. I wish I could get a clearer picture of their support history on the dashboard, but I do my best.
So far only one person has used the coupon code, so I’m thinking a lot of folks aren’t all that interested in getting stuff from me. I do like the suggestion of having them “raise their hand” if they want something.
Digging into this some more on my end! I hope to have more information to share!
OK, a few resources on raffles here.
First, there’s a help article on them: https://patreon.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204199489-Can-I-offer-a-raffle-as-part-of-a-reward-
In general, here’s the reason raffles aren’t allowed:
When a patron makes a pledge, they are guaranteed to get something out of it. When a creator offers a chance of winning something (whether that be as small as a sticker or as big as a car), then this steps into the territory of giveaways/raffles. In order to comply with state gambling laws, Patreon has to ensure that creators are not offering this type of content.
Okay but does this include any offers at all? As explained before I use my Patreon as a newsletter somewhat. When I have time for free doodles, i need someone for a guineapig for a paid but discounted commission on top of their pledge, etc. Sometimes in limited quantities but offered to all my patrons, is this breaking the rule? It’s really not clear and I really don’t want to stop offering stuff to my patrons. They really enjoy getting access to and discounts on my commission slots and yes sometimes I do makes posts offering free doodles. I always try to do something for everyone that says they want one but it’s not always garuanteed.
They always get the things listed on their tier obviously but I’m not putting a chance at something directly in the tiers at all. But if offering anything extra at all, especially things that might be first come first served or not 100% garuanteed that everyone will get one them I’m not doing so well on my project I guess.
For example I just offered limited print run to my patrons. There was only 5. While they didn’t all sell, there wouldn’t have been enough for everyone had everyone wanted one. Is this Okay? This was a purchase ON TOP of their pledge they just got access to the orders before the public.
This is what I’m lost and confused on. @carla
Thanks for all this detail. Getting a better answer for you!
Much appreciated!
@Temrin There’s a workaround the team suggested:
Some creators make a separate rewards tier with a limited quantity, so that every patron at that tier can get that special something. Sometimes that reward tier is at a higher value.
The only warning with this is to please keep in mind that we don’t have locked limited tiers, which means that a you can offer only 5 of something, but still have to fulfill it for 10 people, based on pledge, pledge capture, and then delete, which opens up the slot for a new person. So all this to say, if you do decided to do a separate reward tier with a limited quantity you need to know that more people may need to have it fulfilled.
Hope that makes sense!
Interesting.
Also i’m fairly certain the second part is only in effect when someone uses charge upfront. Without using charge upfront, payments come out once a month only and even if someone comes and goes, they don’t get charged upfront unless its above i think $75+? (I don’t know if the escrow amount has changed.) If the tier remains full and then payment comes out, there is my X amount of people. After that you just unpublish the tier or if it didn’t fill, you reduce the amount of people allowed on the tier (which may require re-making it if the patrons aren’t quick to switch.) Am i wrong on this? (I’ve never had the issue you speak of and it is one of the big big reasons i will not use the pay upfront feature. It screws myself and my patrons over on too many fronts for me to feel okay with it.)
This entire thread is to discuss work-arounds!
So far, we have:
- Just give everyone an extra! (you have enough)
- Make a list by sign up date and give out your extras down the list (not random)
- Make a post saying “first to post, you get extras!” (fast posters always win)
- Make a reward tier with limited count
However, for #4, I think the reason we want to use raffles is to dangle carrots in front of non-patrons and patrons alike. For me, they were a great way to reward my $1 patron randomly with something really cool and maybe he’d up to $5. Also, they were a great way to drive new sign ups – its something fun we can talk about.
Would love to hear other ideas!
#2) If people voluntarily leave your patreon, this becomes an issue. Are you morally/legally allowed to include their email in that list after they have specifically decided to stop pledging to you? When this happens, they “lost their chance” if you don’t get through the list fast enough, which still seems like breaking the rule if this happens. (We don’t know all the full reasons someone might leave and if they leave because of something they dislike and don’t want to be contacted anymore, hence the voluntary leaving, you may be breaching privacy by having them on your list still. I doubt anyone who has left because of financial reasons will say no to free stuff but it’s still a matter of privacy.)
#3) First come first served extra’s are a “chance” and has been previously advised against in this thread by staff. (this was where the #4 suggestion came from, a few responses up.)
#2) I would feel no morale or legal obligation to include their email if they desert.
#3) Interesting. That would be unfortunate.
I wonder what staff would suggest. Staff wants us to be successful and so many creators must end up with extras they could use to better serve their Patreons. The pledge tier suggestion does not actually help with the desire to use these extras (i.e. your by products) as incentive to get new patrons or convince patrons to up their pledge due to you being a cool creator. In fact, its the opposite, it limits this and then locks out interested potential patrons.
I hope staff can provide another suggestion! 
#2) Then, as stated above in the thread, “A chance” at something isn’t allowed. So if a person isn’t guaranteed something, then that is a “chance” which is what they have advised against.
#3) It is.
Staff have made suggestions above above in the thread. I’m not sure we will get much more from them on this regard.
Raffle Replacement and Raffle Replacement are posts from a staff member.
I agree, it is limiting that extra’s cannot be offered. Creating extra tiers for each and every offer will likely not sell because this requires current patrons to remove themselves from their tiers they -want-, to get it and there is no guarantee they will be able to go back to those tiers once that extra offer is done. My patreon project has now become obsolete and boring if I can’t give my patrons the 2-5 day early access to offers and content.
I guess my alternative would be to add an upgrade option to specific tiers stating if they pledge X amount more, then they will get something extra? But that’s going to be a lot of editing and confusion if tiers are changing so often.
I wonder if staff would comment on #2. Is that a chance? If you are a patron, you are on a list to get a reward. If you are not a patron, you are no longer on a list to get a reward. Would be nice to have clarity, since they’ve nixed every other possible option
My Patreon is definitely getting more boring by the post!
Here’s my question: If it’s a game of skill, it’s not a game of chance - right?
So instead of entering Patrons in a random drawing or making the reward first come first served, you could pose a question to your Patrons and select the best answers. Winners get the reward.
Yes, Patrons are paying for the chance to win – but it’s no different from paying to enter a beauty pageant or sports competition or… I don’t know, writing contest. None of which are considered gambling.
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I believe we also have
- Have a giveaway where one is not required to be a patron to win.
I think the “no purchase necessary” is how a lot of giveaways get past the gambling laws. Unfortunately, this means there is no real incentive to become a patron or for creators to have a giveaway as most of us are wanting to do these as an occasional bonus goodie on top of the rewards for which they are already pledging, not AS the pledge reward.
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I would like to know this as well. If i have to give a skill testing question or something then okay fine.