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    Nonprofits and Permits

    This information is for registered nonprofit organizations seeking to conduct bingo, raffles, and other forms of charitable gambling either by exempt permit or exclusion as allowed by Minnesota law.

    For the calendar year, you will need to determine:

    • what type of gambling you will be conducting,
    • how many events will be conducted (for raffles, the event date is the drawing date), and
    • the estimated total market value of all donated and purchased prizes to be awarded.

    An organization may not conduct both exempt and excluded activity in the same calendar year.

    Forms and information for the conduct of raffles, bingo, pull-tabs, tipboards, and paddlewheels. Note that only fully licensed organizations may conduct electronic pull-tabs or electronic linked bingo.

    How exempt and excluded organizations may and may not spend gambling funds


    Nonprofit Requirements

    Bingo, paddlewheels, pull-tabs, raffles, and tipboards may be conducted only by registered nonprofit organizations.

    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:
    1. an IRS letter showing parent organization is a nonprofit 501(c) with group ruling; and
    2. a charter or letter from parent organization recognizing your organization as a subordinate.

    Exempt Permit

    A nonprofit organization must submit one application for each gambling occasion conducted in a calendar year (consecutive dates at one location go on one application). Within 30 days after the authorized gambling activity, the organization must complete and submit a financial report of that activity to the Gambling Control Board.

    Click here for more information: Exempt Permits


    Excluded Bingo and Raffle

    Bingo - A nonprofit organization must submit one application for each excluded bingo event conducted in a calendar year.

    • An Excluded Bingo permit is required when for the calendar year:
    • bingo will be conducted at four or fewer events, OR
    • bingo will be conducted up to 12 consecutive days in conjunction with a county fair, civic celebration, or the Minnesota State Fair.

    Raffle - A nonprofit organization may conduct a raffle without a license or permit when for the calendar year:

    • the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased is less than $1,500, OR
    • if the organization is a 501(c)(3) organization, the total value of ALL prizes donated and purchased for ONE event does not exceed $5,000.

    The raffle must be conducted by a nonprofit organization, not an individual. Check with your local city or county for local ordinance or requirements.

    Click here for more information: Excluded Activity

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