Charitable Gambling Registration Program
Charitable Gambling -
quick FAQs
- Q: Do I need to fill out an application to host a charity "poker night" fundraiser?
- A: Yes. Nonprofit organizations and Gambling Equipment/Services Suppliers both need to register 30 days before the event takes place.
- Q: What are the registration fees?
- A: 1) The registration fees for Nonprofit Organizations, are based on previous years gross annual revenue for fundraising. The fees range from $25, $50, $75, to $100. 2) The annual fee for Gambling Equipment/Services Suppliers is $100.
- Q: Where can I obtain a Certificate of Determination of Exemption?
- A: The nonprofit organization can request the Certificate of Determination of Exemption letter from the State Franchise Tax Board. The request must be made in writing. For more information please contact the Franchise Tax Board Exempt Division at 916-845-4171. If you are having difficulties, please contact the Bureau of Gambling Control at GamblingContro@doj.ca.gov
- Q: Will I get something back from the Bureau of Gambling Control letting me know if my application has been accepted so that I may conduct the charity “poker night” fundraiser?
- A: Yes, once the application is processed and approved by the Bureau, a Certificate of Registration will be issued.
- Q: Do I, as a Supplier of Gambling Equipment/Services, have to list every type of game product and service that I provide?
- A: Yes, a description of all “controlled games” needs to be listed as well as all services provided (i.e., dealers).
- For a complete list of FAQs:
- Charitable Gambling FAQs
[PDF 45 kb / 4 pg]
On January 1, 2007, a new California law (AB 839) [PDF 58 kb / 4 pg] passed allowing eligible nonprofit organizations to hold "charity poker night" fundraisers. Nonprofit organizations and suppliers of equipment and/or services for such fundraising events must submit an application for registration to the Bureau of Gambling Control for approval.
Controlled games which are an approved funding mechanism for these fundraisers are specified in the California Penal Code section 337j(e)(1) as “any poker or pai gow game, and any other game played with cards or tiles, or both, and approved by the Bureau of Gambling Control, and any game of chance, including any gaming device, played for currency, check, credit, or any other thing of value that is not prohibited and made unlawful by statute or local ordinance.”
A detailed listing of provisions outlined in AB 839 [PDF 28 kb / 1 pg] can be found at: Charitable Gambling Fundraisers At-A-Glance.
Nonprofit organizations must register with the Bureau to host one event per calendar year. In addition to nonprofit organizations, businesses that supply equipment and services for fundraising events will be required to register annually with the Bureau. A business that supplies equipment and/or services to an event must register annually.
No one under the age of 21 is allowed to participate at these fundraising events. Nonprofit organizations are required to post problem gambling information at each fundraising event.
The new law does not allow the use of slot machines or Internet gaming for fundraising purposes. Other fundraising restrictions apply to charity bingo and raffle events. The Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section regulates raffles (Raffles - Charitable Trusts - California Dept. of Justice - Office of the Attorney General). Nonprofit Organizations must register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts prior to conducting a raffle and file financial disclosure reports on each raffle event. Please contact your local city, sheriff, or police department for inquiries regarding bingo.
Bureau staff work directly with the Franchise Tax Board to assist in providing required documents to determine tax exemption. A process has been implemented which allows nonprofit organizations to obtain written documentation necessary to process applications in a very minimal waiting period.
Charitable Gambling Registration Program Forms
Charitable Gambling Registration Program Resources
Regulations – Bureau of Gambling Control
During the 2007* calendar year, the Bureau of Gambling Control has monitored and tracked all applications received by the Charitable Gambling Program. Based on the research of both Nonprofit Organizations and Gambling Equipment/Service Suppliers the total number of applications received for Nonprofit Organizations in 2007 was 322 and the total for Gambling Equipment/Service Providers was 90 as shown in the chart above.
As shown in the chart below, 59% percent of the Gambling Equipment/Service Suppliers are located in Southern California, 28% percent in Northern California, 2% percent in Central California, and 1% percent out of state.
* These numbers were gathered for the 2007 calendar year only, which does not include applications received in 2007 for the 2008 calendar year.
For more information on the Charitable Gambling Registration Program, contact the Bureau at GamblingControl@doj.ca.gov
