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
February 12, 2021
Executive Order 21-07 Expands Lawful Gambling Operations at Permitted Premises
Effective Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 12:00 pm, Executive Order 21-07 allows for expansion of lawful gambling operations to further reopen Minnesota's economy safely.
Lawful Gambling is permitted until bar and restaurant closing time of 11:00 pm.
Total capacity at bars and restaurant is raised to 250 but maximum percentage capacity remains at 50 percent.
Total capacity at indoor entertainment facilities is raised to 250 but maximum percentage capacity remains at 25 percent.
Keep in mind that on-site food and beverage consumption is prohibited after 11:00 pm and all social distancing requirements must be enforced.
January 8, 2021
Questions and Answers Regarding Resumption of Lawful Gambling Indoors
Bingo Halls
Question: If bingo is conducted at a location where the primary business is the conduct of bingo (“bingo hall”), what is the site’s capacity limit under Executive Order 21-01?
Answer: Under the executive order, a bingo hall is considered to be a “venue providing indoor events and entertainment”. Capacity is limited to 25% of the normal occupant capacity, not to exceed 150 people in the entire facility. “Normal occupant capacity” means the applicable lawful capacity as established by state or local authorities in accordance with established codes and requirements. This number may be higher than what your organization normally considers to be a “full” when the site is set up for the conduct of bingo.
Keep in mind that on-site food and beverage consumption is prohibited after 10:00 pm and all social distancing requirements must be enforced.
Meat Raffles
Question: When bars reopen for indoor drinking and dining on January 11, may meat raffles be conducted?
Answer: Yes. Meat raffles (awarding packages of meat as a paddlewheel, raffle, or tipboard prize) are allowed provided that they’re conducted in compliance with all social distancing and executive order requirements.
Paddlewheel with a Table (“Tri-wheel”)
Question: When bars reopen for indoor drinking and dining on January 11, may paddlewheel with a table be conducted?
Answer: Yes. Paddlewheel with a table is allowed provided that it’s conducted in compliance with all social distancing and executive order requirements.
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