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    Title: Nonprofits and Permits -Lawful Gambling
    Alternate Title: Limited Pull-tab, Bingo, Raffle, Tipboard, and/or Paddlewheel Activity, Exempt Permit
    Description: Minnesota Gambling Control Board (GCB)
    Subject: Bingo
    Gambling
    Raffles
    Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:12:54 PM
    Modification Date: 8/11/2026 1:48:17 PM
    Agency Name: Gambling Control Board (GCB), Minnesota
    Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/age/gambling
    Agency Description: The Minnesota Gambling Control Board provides the resources and regulation needed to make the state’s lawful (charitable) gambling industry—the largest in the nation—successful. We ensure the integrity of operations, create educational and outreach materials, and make sure that net profits are used to address a wide range of charitable and community needs across the state.
    Agency Phone: 651-539-1900
    Agency Fax: Agency URL: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/age/gambling
    Agency Address:
    Suite 300 South
    1711 W. County Road B
    Roseville
    MN 55113

    Unit Name: Contact Staff
    Unit URL: https://mn.gov/gcb/about-us/who-we-are/
    Unit Description:
    Unit Phone: Unit Fax: Contact person(s): Unit URL: https://mn.gov/gcb/about-us/who-we-are/
    Audience: Application URL:
    Renewal URL:
    Versa URL:
    Requirements:

    Review:

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    Nonprofits and Permits

    This information is for registered nonprofit organizations seeking to conduct bingo, raffles, and other forms of charitable gambling either by exempt permit or exclusion as allowed by Minnesota law.

    For the calendar year, you will need to determine:
    • what type of gambling you will be conducting,
    • how many events will be conducted (for raffles, the event date is the drawing date), and
    • the estimated total market value of all donated and purchased prizes to be awarded.

    An organization may not conduct both exempt and excluded activity in the same calendar year.
    Forms and information for the conduct of raffles, bingo, pull-tabs, tipboards, and paddlewheels. Note that only fully licensed organizations may conduct electronic pull-tabs or electronic linked bingo.

    How exempt and excluded organizations may and may not spend gambling funds

    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 MN Secretary of State Office 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:
    1. an IRS letter showing parent organization is a nonprofit 501(c) with group ruling; and
    2. a charter or letter from parent organization recognizing your organization as a subordinate.

    Exempt Permit

    A nonprofit organization must submit one application for each gambling occasion conducted in a calendar year (consecutive dates at one location go on one application). Within 30 days after the authorized gambling activity, the organization must complete and submit a financial report of that activity to the Gambling Control Board.

    View Exempt Permits for more information.

    Excluded Bingo and Raffle

    Bingo - A nonprofit organization must submit one application for each excluded bingo event conducted in a calendar year.
    • An Excluded Bingo permit is required when for the calendar year:
    • bingo will be conducted at four or fewer events, OR
    • bingo will be conducted up to 12 consecutive days in conjunction with a county fair, civic celebration, or the Minnesota State Fair.
    Raffle - A nonprofit organization may conduct a raffle without a license or permit when for the calendar year:
    • the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased is less than $1,500, OR
    • if the organization is a 501(c)(3) organization, the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased for ONE event does not exceed $5,000.
    The raffle must be conducted by a nonprofit organization, not an individual. Check with your local city or county for local ordinance or requirements.
    View Excluded Activity for more information.


    Rules: 7861.0340

    Statutes: 349.166

    Forms:

    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 MN Secretary of State Office 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:
    1. an IRS letter showing parent organization is a nonprofit 501(c) with group ruling; and
    2. a charter or letter from parent organization recognizing your organization as a subordinate.

    Exempt Permit

    A nonprofit organization must submit one     application for each gambling occasion conducted in a calendar year (consecutive dates at one location go on one application). Within 30 days after the authorized gambling activity, the organization must complete and submit a financial report of that activity to the Gambling Control Board.

    View Exempt Permits for more information.

    Excluded Bingo and Raffle

    Bingo - A nonprofit organization must submit one application for each excluded bingo event conducted in a calendar year.

    • An Excluded Bingo permit is required when for the calendar year:
    • bingo will be conducted at four or fewer events, OR
    • bingo will be conducted up to 12 consecutive days in conjunction with a county fair, civic celebration, or the Minnesota State Fair.

    Raffle - A nonprofit organization may conduct a raffle without a license or permit when for the calendar year:

    • the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased is less than $1,500, OR
    • if the organization is a 501(c)(3) organization, the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased for ONE event does not exceed $5,000.

    The raffle must be conducted by a nonprofit organization, not an individual. Check with your local city or county for local ordinance or requirements.

    View     Excluded Activity for more information.

    See Forms


    Fees:


    Period of Issuance:

    Applications are processed in the order received.


    Length of Determination:
    Complete application must be submitted to the Board at least 30 days prior to the activity date. Applications are processed in the order received.

    Other Info:
    Activity: Gambling
    Bingo
    Raffle
    Lawful Gambling: pull-tabs, bingo, raffles
    Lawful Gambling: tipboards, paddlewheels
    License Detail URL:
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