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
April 14, 2021
Conduct of Lawful Gambling Not Allowed Under Curfew
When a curfew is implemented in a local jurisdiction, licensed organizations are not allowed to conduct lawful gambling at locations within that jurisdiction while the curfew is in effect. In the past few days, curfews have been declared in several metro-area cities and counties. Although we’ll continue to provide curfew information on this website as best we can, please check with local authorities to determine whether any curfews are in effect for your gambling premises.
April 12, 2021
7:00 PM Curfew – Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey Counties
A curfew is in effect from 7:00 PM on Monday, April 12 through 6:00 AM on Tuesday, April 13 for Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, and Ramsey counties. Organizations may not conduct lawful gambling at any lawful gambling premises located in these counties between the hours of 7:00 PM on April 12, 2021 and 6:00 AM on April 13, 2021.
April 6, 2021
Governor Walz Appoints New Board Member
The Gambling Control Board is pleased to announce the appointment of a new board member, Karen Diver. Ms. Diver is a former Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and former Vice President of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe. She also served as an advisor to President Obama as his Special Assistant for Native American affairs. Ms. Diver’s appointment fills one of the two vacant board positions. Her term is effective immediately and will expire on June 30, 2024.
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
- 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