Minnesota
Gambling Control Board
Main office:
Suite 300 South
1711 West County Road B
Roseville, MN 55113
651-539-1900
651-639-4032 (fax)
Welcome to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board
The Minnesota Gambling Control Board regulates the lawful (charitable) gambling industry to ensure the
integrity of operations and provide for the lawful use of net profits. Charitable gambling is conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations. The five forms of lawful gambling are bingo, paddlewheels, pull-tabs, raffles, and tipboards.
Quick Links
Nonprofit Requirements
Bingo, paddlewheels, pull-tabs, raffles, and tipboards may be conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations.
There are four types of nonprofit organizations that are eligible to conduct lawful gambling: fraternal, religious, veteran, and other nonprofit.
You must provide proof of nonprofit status by ONE of the following:
- Certificate of Good Standing for current calendar year. Don't have a copy? Contact the Secretary of State at 651-296-2803.
- IRS income tax exemption 501(c) letter in your organization's name. Don't have a copy? Contact the IRS at 877-829-5500.
- IRS - Affiliate of national, statewide, or international parent nonprofit organization (charter). If your organization falls under a parent organization provide BOTH:
- an IRS letter showing parent organization is a nonprofit 501(c) with group ruling; and
- a charter or letter from parent organization recognizing your organization as a subordinate.
Applying for a license or permit?
To conduct lawful gambling in Minnesota, your organization must apply for and receive either an organization license, exempt permit, or excluded permit.
Organization license:
An organization license is obtained for the conduct of ongoing gambling activities. Application and information for an organization license ›
Exempt or Excluded permit:
An exempt or excluded permit is obtained for the conduct of a limited number of gambling activities within a calendar year. Permit applications and information for exempt or excluded permits ›
Manufacturer license:
A manufacturers license must be obtained by any person or entity who sells lawful gambling equipment to a licensed distributor in Minnesota. Manufacturer information and forms ›
Distributor license:
A distributor license must be obtained by any person or entity distributing lawful gambling equipment in Minnesota. Distributor information and forms ›
Linked Bingo Game Provider license:
A linked bingo game provider license must be obtained by any person or entity who provides linked bingo services to organizations licensed to conduct lawful gambling in Minnesota. Linked Bingo Game Provider information and forms ›
What's New Specific What's New information, by month
September 24, 2019
Latest Issue of Gaming News Available
The July/August/September Gaming News is now available.
September 19, 2019
Executive Director Named
The Governor has named Matt Gettman of Orono, Minnesota, as Executive Director of the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.
We look forward to having Matt on board and permanent leadership in place to continue the Board’s mission of ensuring the integrity of lawful gambling. I know you join me in welcoming Matt to the world of lawful gambling in Minnesota!
September 18, 2019
New In-Person Continuing Education Classes Scheduled
Continuing education classes have been scheduled for October, November, and December. To find a location near you, go to the Continuing Education page.
September 6, 2019
October 1 Deadline for Electronic Gaming Passwords
In more than one instance the failure of employees to use their individual login credentials while selling electronic pull-tabs and bingo chances has contributed to a loss of gaming funds and weakens cashier accountability.
Minnesota Rules, Parts 7863.0270, subpart 26a, and 7864.0235, subpart 30a, provide that the point-of-sale system (POS) used for the conduct of electronic games must require entry of the seller's unique identifying code to open the POS system. The POS system must record the unique identifying code of any person making any transaction at any time. The user list naming each seller’s first and last names and the seller's unique identifying code must be available on the manufacturer's portal. While unique passwords do not need to be first and last name, but individuals must be identified in the POS reporting by first and last name.
This means that generic user IDs such as “cashier” or “bar” are prohibited.
Only one user is allowed per ID and password – no password sharing.
This requirement has been in place since the inception of electronic games. Additional notice was provided in the October/November/December 2017 Gaming News and in the April/May/June 2019 Gaming News. Yet we continue to see generic passwords.
The Board has many options to enforce compliance, including the authority to deactivate an electronic device for violation of law or rule and to implement any other controls necessary to ensure and maintain the integrity of play. To avoid deactivation at your site and/or receiving a citation, be sure your gambling manager, assistant gambling manager, and sellers each have their own login, unique to that individual.
Ask your distributor for assistance if needed.
Crime Alerts See complete Crime Alert list
- August 20, 2019 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, Little Canada
- July 19, 2019 - Counterfeit Currency, Coon Rapids/NW Metro Area
- July 12, 2019 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, White Bear Lake Area (attempts to redeem in northeast metro area)
- May 9, 2019 - Stolen Pull-Tab Tickets, Fergus Falls Area (attempts to redeem in surrounding areas)
- March 4, 2019 - Burglary - Coon Rapids/Anoka Area (attempts to redeem in surrounding areas)
- December 14, 2018 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, Savage Area (attempts to redeem as far north as Wright County)
- August 7, 2018 - Stolen Pull-Tab Game, Montevideo Area - GAMES FOUND
- August 2, 2017 - Missing Pull-Tab Game, Glenwood - GAME FOUND
- June 22, 2017 - Counterfeit Currency, Metro Area
- April 7, 2017 - Burglaries in Alexandria Area
- March 30, 2017 - Board Employee Impersonation, White Bear Lake area
- March 27, 2017 - Pull-Tab Games/Dispensing Device Stolen, Bruno
- January 25, 2017 - Counterfeit $20, Richardson Township/Hillman
- January 23, 2017 - Counterfeit Bills, Duluth, Grand Forks
Nonprofit Requirements
Applying for a license or permit?
What's New
Crime Alerts
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