diff --git a/discord/raw_models.py b/discord/raw_models.py
index 26247ca32..103d148a0 100644
--- a/discord/raw_models.py
+++ b/discord/raw_models.py
@@ -112,6 +112,9 @@ class RawReactionActionEvent(_RawReprMixin):
     """Represents the payload for a :func:`on_raw_reaction_add` or
     :func:`on_raw_reaction_remove` event.
 
+    .. versionchanged:: 1.3.0
+        The ``event_type`` attribute was added.
+
     Attributes
     -----------
     message_id: :class:`int`
@@ -124,15 +127,20 @@ class RawReactionActionEvent(_RawReprMixin):
         The guild ID where the reaction got added or removed, if applicable.
     emoji: :class:`PartialEmoji`
         The custom or unicode emoji being used.
+    event_type: :class:`str`
+        The event type that triggered this action. Can be
+        ``REACTION_ADD`` for reaction addition or
+        ``REACTION_REMOVE`` for reaction removal.
     """
 
     __slots__ = ('message_id', 'user_id', 'channel_id', 'guild_id', 'emoji')
 
-    def __init__(self, data, emoji):
+    def __init__(self, data, emoji, event_type):
         self.message_id = int(data['message_id'])
         self.channel_id = int(data['channel_id'])
         self.user_id = int(data['user_id'])
         self.emoji = emoji
+        self.event_type = event_type
 
         try:
             self.guild_id = int(data['guild_id'])
diff --git a/discord/state.py b/discord/state.py
index 9137da083..fc7ea7fa5 100644
--- a/discord/state.py
+++ b/discord/state.py
@@ -437,7 +437,7 @@ class ConnectionState:
         emoji_data = data['emoji']
         emoji_id = utils._get_as_snowflake(emoji_data, 'id')
         emoji = PartialEmoji.with_state(self, animated=emoji_data['animated'], id=emoji_id, name=emoji_data['name'])
-        raw = RawReactionActionEvent(data, emoji)
+        raw = RawReactionActionEvent(data, emoji, 'REACTION_ADD')
         self.dispatch('raw_reaction_add', raw)
 
         # rich interface here
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ class ConnectionState:
         emoji_data = data['emoji']
         emoji_id = utils._get_as_snowflake(emoji_data, 'id')
         emoji = PartialEmoji.with_state(self, animated=emoji_data['animated'], id=emoji_id, name=emoji_data['name'])
-        raw = RawReactionActionEvent(data, emoji)
+        raw = RawReactionActionEvent(data, emoji, 'REACTION_REMOVE')
         self.dispatch('raw_reaction_remove', raw)
 
         message = self._get_message(raw.message_id)