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: Are there registration fees?
- A: Yes. Annual registration fees for nonprofit organizations and gambling equipment/service suppliers are $100 each.
- Q: Where can I find the form to host a “poker night” fundraiser?
- A: : The forms for nonprofit organizations and gambling equipment/service suppliers can be found on our Forms page or by clicking http://ag.ca.gov/gambling/forms.php
- 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.
- For a complete list of FAQs:
- Charitable Gambling FAQs
[PDF 108 kb / 2 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 annual registration form 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 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 controlled gaming equipment and/or services for fundraising events are also required to register annually.
No one under the age of 21 is allowed to participate at these fundraising events.
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 also register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts and file annual financial disclosure reports. To help charities stay within State laws, the Attorney General makes available various guides and publications, including the (Attorney General’s Guide for Charities). Please contact your local city, sheriff, or police department for inquiries regarding bingo.
Bureau staff work directly with the Franchise Tax Board and Registry of Charitable Trusts to assist with compliance of State laws and regulations
Charitable Gambling Registration Program Forms
Charitable Gambling Registration Program Resources
Regulations – Bureau of Gambling Control
From January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009, the Bureau has monitored and tracked all applications received by the Charitable Gambling Program.
* Both charts provided on this page reflect information collected from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2009.
Based on the research of both nonprofit organizations and gambling equipment/service suppliers, the total number of nonprofit applications received was 1,234, and the total for suppliers was 308.
For more information on the Charitable Gambling Registration Program, contact the Bureau at GamblingControl@doj.ca.gov
