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 16, 2021
Information on accessing the June 2021 Board meeting.
April/May/June Gaming News is now available.
SURVEY – Continuing Education Topics
The Minnesota Department of Revenue’s Lawful Gambling and Unrelated Business Income Tax Unit is interested in which topics you’d like to learn more about. They will use your suggestions to create a continuing education class to be available later this year.
The Gambling Control Board is interested in whether gambling managers have completed or intend to complete an on-line continuing education course in 2021 or if they’d prefer to attend an in-person class later this year. This information will help us determine the number of in-person classes needed to meet the needs of our licensed gambling managers.
To participate in the survey, click here.
June 11, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Potential July 1 State Government Shutdown
Q. If the Gambling Control Board is shut down on July 1, will licensed organizations have to stop conducting lawful gambling at their permitted premises?
A. Yes
Q. Would gambling equipment manufacturers and distributors be allowed to continue sales and operations during the state government shutdown period?
A. Yes, however organizations would not be allowed to conduct lawful gambling until the Gambling Control Board re-opens.
Q. Would organizations be allowed to make expenditures of gambling funds during the shutdown?
A. Yes
Q. Would organizations be required to file their monthly reports to the Gambling Control Board or other state agencies during the shutdown?
A. Yes
Q. Why will the industry be shut down if state government is shut down?
A. The Gambling Control Board is funded by the industry it regulates to ensure the integrity of operations. If the Gambling Control Board is not allowed to operate then it cannot ensure that integrity.
Q. In 2011, lawful gambling operations were allowed to continue during the state-government shutdown, why will operations be discontinued if there is a shutdown this year?
A. The industry has substantially changed since 2011. Without oversight, the integrity of lawful gambling today cannot be monitored and therefore will not be allowed.
Q. Would Gambling Control Board-authorized exempt or excluded lawful gambling be allowed to continue during the state government shutdown period?
A. Yes
June 9, 2021
Preparation for Potential July 1 State Government Shutdown
This preliminary notice is being provided to ensure that the MN Gambling Control Board annual licensees receive timely information that may affect their operations beginning July 1, 2021. The Board has no further information regarding the likelihood of this potential shutdown and will immediately share any update.
To date, the Minnesota State Legislature has not yet approved a state-government budget to be effective July 1, 2021. If the state budget is not approved by June 30, the Gambling Control Board will discontinue operations on July 1 and will not resume operations until agency funding is approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
If on July 1, the Gambling Control Board is unable to continue its lawful-gambling oversight, all organizations annually licensed by the Board must cease the conduct of gambling until the agency is able to reopen. Procedures for suspending operations will be similar to those required for the November 20, 2020 “COVID pause”, except that all forms of lawful gambling at all locations will be shutdown. Specific shutdown procedures will be provided prior to July 1, should they become necessary, but in the meantime, please feel free to look at those procedures required on November 19, 2020 (go to http://www.mn.gov/gcb/what-s-new.html to see the What’s New posting for November 19, 2020).
If there is a shutdown, there will be no staff available to provide agency services.
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
- May 18, 2021 - Possible Stolen Pull-tab Games, Pequot Lakes Area
- February 8, 2021 - Counterfeit Currency, Stillwater/East Metro Area
- December 28, 2020 - Stolen Pull-tab Games, New Hope Area
- December 16, 2020 - Burglary, Wright County
- October 19, 2020 - Burglary, Spring Lake Park Area
- July 27, 2020 - Stolen Pull-Tabs, Mendota Heights Area
- 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