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. Lawful gambling is conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations. The five forms of lawful gambling are bingo, paddlewheels, pull-tabs, raffles, and tipboards.
Quick Links
What's New Specific What's New information, by month
For Exempt/Excluded activity information, click here
June 3, 2020
2020 Lawful Gambling Manual is now available.
May 28, 2020
June 1 Restart - Frequently asked questions: Q&A
April/May/June Gaming News is now available.
Executive Order to Assist Veterans and Fraternal Organizations: Governor Walz signed Executive Order 20-63 (see page 9, paragraph G) on May 27, 2020, allowing veterans or fraternal organizations to lend gambling funds to their general account to pay for expenses necessary to reopen such organizations’ permitted premises.
What does this executive order mean?
This executive order is a special allowance for veterans and fraternal organizations to make a loan from the organization’s gambling account to its general account to get their posts/clubs up and running. Prior authorization from the Gambling Control Board must be received first.
How does your post/club get prior authorization?
To get prior authorization fill out form LG272, Request for Lawful Gambling Account Loan to General Account, and submit it to the Gambling Control Board. Once the form is reviewed and approved, you will receive authorization to make the loan from your gambling account to the general account.
Are there any restrictions?
- The loan proceeds may not be used as collateral for any other loan.
- The loan proceeds may not be used for gambling-related expenses.
- The loan must be repaid to the gambling account in full within one year or suspend its gambling operation.
- If the organization terminates lawful gambling and the loan has not been repaid, the loan repayment will be included in the terms of the license termination plan.
Access form LG272, Request for Lawful Gambling Account Loan to General Account, here.
May 21, 2020
Guidance for Restarting Lawful Gambling on June 1
In conjunction with Governor Walz's May 20, 2020, announcement, lawful gambling may be conducted outdoors at permitted premises beginning June 1, 2020. These lawful gambling activities must be conducted in compliance with all applicable executive orders and Centers for Disease Control guidance. All lawful gambling statutes and rules remain in effect and compliance will be enforced.
Outdoor Sales Conduct
- You may sell gambling equipment only in those areas where food and alcohol are allowed to be served.
- Focus on internal controls.
- Cash and games (including electronic games) must be secured at all times and games must remain in view of the site's staff to ensure integrity of the games.
- All games (except raffles) must be sold and played outside on the premises, but may not leave the outdoor dining area.
- House Rules must reflect any changes to the conduct of games at the permitted premises.
Gambling Equipment - Ordering and Delivery
- Only gambling managers and assistant gambling managers may place orders for new games prior to the reopening of permitted premises. After restarting, gambling managers may delegate the authority to order more games.
- Delivery of cash banks and any new games may not be made earlier than four days (seven days for electronic gambling equipment) prior to the Governor's lifting of those executive order restrictions.
We urge your organization to be patient and not restart any gambling activities before they are allowed. Any failure to comply with those requirements prior to the lifting of the executive orders will lead to the prosecution of all violations via applicable adverse administrative and criminal actions.
Checklist for Lawful Gambling Restart
May 20, 2020
June 2020 Gambling Manager Seminar: A June 2020 Gambling Manager Seminar will be offered by the Gambling Control Board. Registration is required, and interested persons should contact their county’s Licensing Specialist.
The seminar will consist of a series of required electronic classes, a few optional review sessions scheduled at specific dates and times, and an online test that will serve as one of the requirements for individuals seeking to gain a gambling manager’s license for their organization. (The test is only required for those seeking a gambling manager’s license; however, the test may be taken by anyone—CEOs, sellers, law enforcement, etc.)
Individuals should plan on the electronic classes taking a minimum of 10 hours to complete.
Dates (* indicates dates subject to change):
- Wednesday, June 10: Online classes available to registered participants.
- Tuesday–Thursday, June 16-18*: Optional once daily 30-60 minute online (WebEx) review sessions (time slots will be provided).
- Thursday–Friday, June 18-19*: Online test available to registered participants (two-hour time slots to be announced).
To register, contact the Licensing Specialist assigned to your county.
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 ›
Crime Alerts See complete Crime Alert list
- March 18, 2020 - Booth and Bar Op Break-In, Minneapolis
- January 29, 2020 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, Onamia Area
- December 5, 2019 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, Maple Lake Area
- 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)
What's New
Nonprofit Requirements
Applying for a license or permit?
Crime Alerts
An equal opportunity employer