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
November 5, 2021
FY2021 Lawful Purpose Star Rating Report and FY2021 Organization Annual Reports are now available.
October 18, 2021
FY21 Annual Report Now Available
The Gambling Control Board’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021) is now available. The report provides information on the agency’s budget and expenditures as swell as a wealth of information on lawful gambling receipts, expenses, donations, taxes and net profits. Report highlights include:
- On June 30, 2021, there were 1,146 licensed organizations conducting lawful gambling at 2,891 locations throughout Minnesota. The number of organizations and locations has remained relatively constant over the past four years.
- Despite the COVID-related shut down from mid-November to mid-January, FY21 gross receipts (total sales) totaled $3.1 billion, a 48% increase from FY20 and a 32% increase from FY19.
- Pull-tab gross receipts (paper and electronic) increased 50.6% in FY21 while gross receipts for all other forms of lawful gambling fell 1.2%.
- Electronic pull-tab sales made up 41.6% of total gross receipts in FY21, up from 33.5% in FY20.
- The number of new games approved for sale in Minnesota fell from 5,593 in FY20 to 4,402 in FY21.
- The percentage of net receipts spent on allowable expenses (costs directly related to the conduct of lawful gambling) fell to 47% - the lowest level since the late 1990s.
Thanks in part to charities’ tenacity and determination to adapt their operations to difficult circumstances, fiscal year 2021 was a good year for Minnesota’s 1,146 licensed lawful gambling charities and the 2,891 sales locations that support the charities’ missions. The Minnesota Gambling Control Board and staff continue to diligently provide the necessary oversight and regulation of this multi-billion-dollar industry.
Along with the FY21 report, previous years’ annual reports from FY99 forward are also available by clicking on the “Reports & Legislation” tab and selecting “GCB Annual Reports”.
October 11, 2021
Information on accessing October 18, 2021 Board 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
- November 15, 2021 - Booth Op Break-In, Bloomington Area
- October 27, 2021 - Counterfeit Currency, Dakota County Area
- September 21, 2021 - Stolen Pull-tab Games, Ramsey County Area
- August 26, 2021 - Stolen Pull-tab Game from Pull-tab Dispensing Device, Ramsey County (attempts to redeem in surrounding area)
- 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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