Randy Marsh: Raffles in a Minute

You promised your subscribers a prize, and now you wonder how to pick a winner without anyone suspecting a trick. Randy Marsh solves exactly that. People press a Participate button, and the bot randomly picks one or more winners. 🎲

The bot works in chats and channels. The project's code is open source, which is a good argument for transparency.

A raffle in three actions

The routine is simple, and you can learn it in a minute.

1. Add the bot to a chat or channel and send /randy. A message with a Participate button appears.
2. Members press the button and join the list.
3. To finish, reply to the raffle message with any text. The bot picks a winner from the participants.

No spreadsheets and no manual drawing. The choice is random, and you do not have to prove that you did not pick anyone yourself.

How many winners, and on what terms

By default there is one winner. The /number command changes that, so /number 100 picks a hundred. Handy when there are several prizes.

To limit entries to subscribers, use /subscribe and list the channels, separated by commas. The /nosubscribe command switches the check off. That way a contest does not turn into a giveaway for random strangers. ✅

Your own wording and language

The raffle message and the winner announcement can be customised.

• /raffleMessage: your own text for the raffle announcement, and /noRaffleMessage restores the default.
• /winnerMessage: your own congratulation text, and /noWinnerMessage restores the default.
• /language: changes the bot's language.
• /nodelete: the bot keeps the original message instead of deleting it.

A branded text adds to the festive feeling. Put the rules, the deadline and the prize description in it so nobody has to ask.

Running a raffle without drama

The bot handles randomness, and you handle trust. Write the rules in advance: what is being given away, who can enter, until when, and how you will contact the winner.

Do not delay the draw. And never ask entrants to send money or card details, since a legitimate contest does not need them. 🛡

If you give away money or valuable prizes, check which rules apply to public contests in your country.

A few practical tips. Before a real raffle, run a trial one in a test chat and make sure the button and commands behave as you expect.

Take a screenshot of the final message with the winner and keep it. It will help if anyone wants to dispute the result.

Where the trust comes from

The bot's code is public, so it can be inspected, or you can run your own copy if you want full independence. That takes technical skills and your own database.

If you are not a programmer, just use the ready-made bot. For ordinary chat raffles that is enough.

Who the bot is for

Channel admins, bloggers, shops and chat organisers who give out prizes from time to time. Companies that need to pick a winner quickly and in the open.

The bot's author provides support, with a link in the profile. If something goes wrong, write there.