Quote Originally Posted by Zeus View Post
Here's my take.

I get why players are upset, especially those that didn't win. I personally don't participate, although I have been asked to. I have not been forced or coerced to, it's just a personal decision not to partake as I don't like to gamble. However, the rules are there up-front. They aren't scamming anybody. The last time I asked, they were pretty open with how much they were making from the raffles. Honestly, to organize an event on that scale takes time and effort. If they want to take some profit for that, I personally don't mind. Also, as far as I know, they have a system that is designed in a way that cannot be rigged. So, I do not see how they would be able to rig the system to make friends or themselves win.

At the end of the day, the saying goes to vote with your own wallet. If you do not feel that it is worth it, do not buy a ticket. It's that simple. Supply and demand is a natural thing, even in raffles. If the system isn't working, they will not be able to continue large-scale raffles like this.

So, my take is that I am indifferent to this raffle and think it is managed well. Additionally, I hold no qualms with the hosts taking a portion as profits as long as they are open about it. I personally have hosted several events before that have cost me gold out of my own pocket, not to mention time. Despite this, people still complained, ranted and got mad at me even though there is nothing in it for me. At the end of the day, you will always have dissatisfied players.

However, all this being said, I do not think it is allowed to post pay-for-entry raffles on the forums. I believe it is a forum rule somewhere (or at least, there was), so that is their mistake for posting it.
I must say you have reason at some point. If they are open with the amount they profit it's fine. Thing is other players will start taking this as an example to make gold, filling forums with "raffle threads" and spamming on towns. Besides that, some players will eventually take advantage of the situation and will end scamming. I'm not saying all of them will do, but there will be a couple of cases. At the end of the day, it's your own fault if you get scammed, but I don't want to see that much drama here because STS takes no actions against them.