Raffle for weapon from Riverhead gun shop to support school volleyball team now a sweepstakes

Raffle now a sweepstakes after NYS Gaming Commission declares raffle unlawful.

Karina Kovac

Sep 12, 2025, 2:30 AM

Updated 3 hr ago

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A raffle for a semiautomatic Ruger PC Carbine to support a Riverhead gun store owner's daughter’s varsity high school volleyball team is now a sweepstakes.
Joseph Oliver, the owner of JJ Armory, says the change follows state laws.
News 12 reported earlier this week about the fundraiser for the Riverhead High School volleyball team.
The district said it would never sanction such a fundraiser, and the state Gaming Commission later said the gun shop wasn't legally allowed to raffle off the weapon.
Oliver says the sweepstakes grand prize winner will now get the gun or a gift card.
He says anyone who doesn't want to be a part of the sweepstakes can contact him for a full refund.