A group of organizers took a moment to pause for a photo at the meat raffle for the football team. (L to R): Luck High School social studies teacher Dylan Hein, elementary physical education teacher Jack Drake, former Luck alumni and volunteer Trevor Dexter, and substitute teacher for Luck and Frederic school districts Joe Wells. They are all part of the Luck football coaching staff. – Photo by Sarah Beth Radomsky
LUCK – Meat raffles, low-stakes contests offering cuts of pork, beef or poultry, are seeing a resurgence across the U.S. with Wisconsin’s tavern culture, including a recent event in Luck, helping fuel the increase. On Saturday, Feb. 21, the Bon Ton Tavern in Luck took part in this tradition, hosting a meat raffle to raise funds for the Luck High School football team. Organized to support the local program, the event drew community members eager to win meat prizes while contributing to a good cause. Organizers shared that other programs at the high school had held similar meat raffles as well, although this was the first time for the football team. Plans were to host a second raffle in the spring. The raffle had the specific goal of helmet repair.
Where did this tradition start? Rooted in World War II Britain, meat raffles began as a way to share scarce rations. The concept crossed the Atlantic by the 1940s, taking hold in Midwest states like Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as parts of western New York. In small-town bars and veterans halls, attendees bought tickets or spun wheels for a chance at a hearty prize, often amid a backdrop of beer and camaraderie.
While the tradition never fully faded, its recent popularity spike over the past decade has drawn a broader crowd. In Wisconsin, where community-focused taverns thrive, meat raffles have become a staple fundraiser. Beyond the Badger State, meat raffles are popping up in Illinois bars, New Hampshire Legions, and Massachusetts gun clubs, each adapting the format to local tastes. Minnesota and New York report similar upticks, with websites like meatraffles.com tracking dozens of events weekly across the region. Though exact numbers are hard to track, the trend’s growth is evident with an increase in activity tracked across social media. The appeal blends social gatherings with practicality. For a dollar or two, participants might score steaks or shrimp, a bargain amid rising food costs. In Wisconsin, state law ties raffles to nonprofit causes, adding a charitable twist, and proceeds often support food banks, youth sports, or, as in Luck, school programs like football.
