here are the questions
- Can raffle draws be considered a form of gambling?
Yes raffle draws can be considered gambling since the factor of gambling is there.
Risk Chance and Reward.
- Is it right that a Religious house speaks against gambling, but allows raffle draws?
It sounds like being hypocritical, but there is no law that forbids religious houses to speak against gambling and at the same time allows raffle draws. So whether it is right is wrong is dependent on the person's point of view.
- Can raffle draws be considered a form of gambling?
No, in my personal opinion, gambling is an activity where we wager something, usually money to gain a multiplied return. When there is nothing at stake, it is not gambling, merely just a game. We in Indonesia also have something similar when there are running events.
I think you missed something while reading @OP's story. The raffle ticket is being sold so there is money involved. Thus the money that is use to buy the ticket is the one that can be considered the stake.
Btw, gambling is also a game if you happen to don't understand what gambling is.
- Is it right that a Religious house speaks against gambling, but allows raffle draws?
Yes, it is still on the right track, since a raffle is not gambling.
The one given by the @OP as an example can be considered as gambling because the ticket is paid.