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. Charitable gambling is conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations. The five forms of lawful gambling are bingo, paddlewheels, pull-tabs, raffles, and tipboards.
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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 ›
What's New Specific What's New information, by month
June 11, 2019
The Rules have been received from the Revisor's Office.
June 7, 2019
The April/May/June 2019 issue of Gaming News is now available.
May 29, 2019
The Administrative Law Judge issued the final report resulting from the rules hearing on March 8, 2019. The final report dated 5/28/19 can be viewed here.
May 29, 2019
The Board's technical bill passed the 2019 Legislature. The bill makes the following changes, effective July 1, 2019:
- The provision that a person has to be a member of an organization for “at least six months” has been changed to “the most recent 90 days” to conform the membership requirements for gambling managers. (349.12, subd. 2)
- Requires bingo gift certificates to be only sold for face value (are not discounted) to remove the potential of receiving cash for face value but marking a discounted price in the accounting records. (349.17, subd. 6)
- Corrects an oversight by adding electronic linked bingo games to the list of lawful gambling games that a lessor’s immediate family may not play. (349.181, subd. 1)
- Requires accounting for bingo gift certificates. (349.19, subd. 1)
- Requires that all electronic game deposits must be made at the $2,000 mark and within four business days of the first day of each month to minimize the risk of too much cash at the site. (349.19, subd. 2)
A PDF of the 2019 legislative summary can be viewed here.
Board materials will be updated for the July 1, 2019, effective date.
Crime Alerts See complete Crime Alert list
- 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)
- December 14, 2018 - Stolen Pull-Tab Games, Savage Area (attempts to redeem as far north as Wright County)
- August 7, 2018 - Stolen Pull-Tab Game, Montevideo Area - GAMES FOUND
- August 2, 2017 - Missing Pull-Tab Game, Glenwood - GAME FOUND
- June 22, 2017 - Counterfeit Currency, Metro Area
- April 7, 2017 - Burglaries in Alexandria Area
- March 30, 2017 - Board Employee Impersonation, White Bear Lake area
- March 27, 2017 - Pull-Tab Games/Dispensing Device Stolen, Bruno
- January 25, 2017 - Counterfeit $20, Richardson Township/Hillman
- January 23, 2017 - Counterfeit Bills, Duluth, Grand Forks
Nonprofit Requirements
Applying for a license or permit?
What's New
Crime Alerts
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