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
July 28, 2021
Executive Director Gettman to Leave Agency
After two years at the Board helm navigating through unprecedented times, Gambling Control Board Executive Director Matt Gettman is planning to leave the Gambling Control Board on September 24, 2021.
This date is intended to allow enough time to find a replacement and have an overlap to ensure a smooth transition. Further, this date coincides with the new federal fiscal year, affording the opportunity to transition into a new role at the Minnesota National Guard.
In an internal communication, Director Gettman said how proud he has been to have worked with such professional Board staff and members to navigate the pandemic by setting up an effective and staff-friendly telecommuting policy, reorganizing the Board structure to branch off a focused educational & outreach department and refocus Board staff with an eye towards more regulatory oversight touch points with stakeholders. Despite the two COVID-related industry pauses, Director Gettman also stated how proud he is to be part of this regulatory oversight team that ensured the integrity of MN lawful gambling that reached an all-time record $3 billion in annual sales this last fiscal year that will provide over $400 million back to MN communities.
July 21, 2021
Board Chair announcement: Gambling Control Board Committees established.
July 8, 2021
Information on accessing July 19, 2021 Board meeting.
July 7, 2021
New Board Members
The Gambling Control Board is pleased to announce the appointment of a new board member, Janet Lorenzo, and the appointment of Jim Nardone, who has previously served on the board. Ms. Lorenzo’s term runs from July 2021 through June 2025 while Mr. Nardone’s term is from June 2021 through June 2024. Welcome Aboard!
Board Vice Chair, Ken Koch’s term expired on June 30. At the Board’s emergency meeting on June 30, Board Chair Geno Fragnito and the other Board members thanked Ken for his excellent work as a Board member, as did Executive Director Matt Gettman on behalf of the agency’s staff. The Vice Chair position is now vacant until a new Board member is elected to fill that position.
June 30, 2021
Gambling Control Board to Remain Open – Lawful Gambling May Continue Uninterrupted
The Minnesota Management and Budget Office has informed the Board that funds for our agency have been appropriated and that our operations can continue uninterrupted after June 30.
June 30, 2021
State Budget Update
As of 10:00 a.m. on June 30, 2021 the Governor had not yet signed the state budget bill (SF2) which was approved by both the state House and Senate at approximately 2:00 a.m. this morning. The Governor has indicated his intention to sign the bill in time to avert a state, and in turn a Gambling Control Board, shutdown. However, the bill has not been signed at this time.
Board Approves Gambling Pause if Budget not Signed
An emergency meeting of the Gambling Control Board was held at 8:30 a.m. today (June 30, 2021) at which the Board approved the following resolution:
If on July 1, Senate File #2 from the Legislative CY21 special session 1 is not signed by the Governor allowing the Gambling Control Board to continue its lawful-gambling oversight, the conduct of all organizations licensed by the Board to conduct lawful gambling in Minnesota will be suspended in accordance with MN Stat 349.151 subd. 4 (20). 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 paused until the Board reopens.
Therefore, if the Governor does not sign the new state government budget providing funds for the Gambling Control Board’s continuing operations, licensed organizations must pause their conduct of lawful gambling. Licensed organizations will be prohibited from conducting lawful gambling until such time as a budget appropriation is approved allowing the Gambling Control Board to resume its oversight of lawful gambling activity. This website will be updated with the latest information regarding the Governor’s approval.
Legislation Ensuring Future Agency Funding Continuity
At the June 30 emergency Gambling Control Board meeting, the Board discussed legislation that would allow the Gambling Control Board to utilize its special fund account to continue operations if a general state budget is not approved.
June 30, 2021
CORRECTION TO MEETING ID – EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING
To Attend Remote Board Meeting via WebEx: Prior to the 8:30 AM meeting start time, call 855-282-6330. At the prompt, enter meeting ID 146 859 0492, followed by the # key. You may be asked for extra information, but you may hit the # key again and you will be taken to the meeting.
June 28, 2021
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING
The Gambling Control Board will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at 8:30 AM. This meeting will be held remotely via WebEx. The Board will be considering a resolution stating that if, on July 1, 2021, a state budget has not been approved to allow the Minnesota Gambling Control Board to continue its oversight of lawful gambling, all licensed organizations must pause lawful gambling operations in accordance with Board procedures until such time as agency funding is approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
June 30, 2021 Emergency Meeting Agenda
To Provide Public Comment to the Board: If you wish to provide written public comment at this board meeting, please submit your name, who you represent, and your comment to steve.pedersen@state.mn.us by 7:30 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. To provide comment by phone during the meeting, submit your name, who you represent, and your 10-digit telephone number to steve.pedersen@state.mn.us by 7:30 AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Your phone number will be used to identify the caller at the time of the meeting.
To Attend Remote Board Meeting via WebEx: Prior to the 8:30 AM meeting start time, call 855-282-6330. At the prompt, enter meeting ID 146 389 7329, followed by the # key. You may be asked for extra information, but you may hit the # key again and you will be taken to the meeting.
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
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