Raffle & Casino Nights
Charitable Gaming Division Overview
The Charitable Gaming Division of the Lottery supported the explosive growth of Bingo as the game grew from 1973 through 1984. In calendar year 2018, Gross receipts were $57.1 million; of that, $23.7 million was from Bingo; $12.5 million from Charity Game tickets; $20.8 million was from raffles and $129,000 was from Bazaars and Las Vegas nights. In 2018, there were 111 organizations licensed to conduct Bingo in the Commonwealth. The Charitable Gaming Division collect a 5% Bingo tax, which is distributed as follows:
Three-fifths to the General Fund
Two-fifths to the Lottery for the control of Bingo, subject to appropriation
Any unappropriated balance is given to the Local Aid Fund
Raffle & Casino Nights
Charitable Gaming Division, Raffles/Bazaars (Casino Functions)
Organizations with a Raffle and Bazaar permit from the local city or town clerk can have an unlimited amount of raffles while the permit is valid (one year from the date of issuance). The permit also allows a maximum of three (3) Casino Nights. The definition of a Bazaar is NOT your local Church bazaar. The law defines a Bazaar as a Casino or Las Vegas Night.
The Lottery Commission acts strictly as a tax collector for Raffles and Casino nights. We don’t have the authority to either deny a permit or require one to be issued. Under the law, the local licensing officials (city/town clerk and chief of police) determine whether or not your organization is eligible for the permit. If a permit is issued, the Lottery Commission is notified and will forward the appropriate tax forms.
There are two (2) sets of regulations governing Casino Nights.
If your organization doesn’t hold a Bingo license and won’t be sponsoring your Casino night in a hall that holds a Bingo license, the Office of the Attorney General cites the regulations that must be followed, Regulation 940 CMR 13.00.
If your organization holds a Bingo license or will be holding your Casino Night in a hall that holds a Bingo license, you must conform to Las Vegas Night Lottery Regulation 940 CMR 4.00. The Lottery Commission DOES NOT allow Poker or Night at the Races. Please note: Bingo licensees that allow outside groups to hold Casino nights in their hall must be sure that the Lottery regulations are followed. Failure of a group to follow these regulations puts its License to Conduct Bingo at risk.
Copies of the regulations may be obtained from the Lottery Commission.
Licensing Requirements
Bingo (Beano)
The Charitable Gaming Division of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission issues Bingo licenses to organizations meeting the requirements in Chapter 10, Section 38 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The annual fee for the Bingo license is $50.00. Organizations are required to pay a 5% tax on the gross proceeds of each Bingo event.
Raffles and Casino Nights (Bazaars)
Under the law governing Raffles and Bazaars, Chapter 271, 7A of the Massachusetts General Laws, organizations wishing to hold a Raffle or Casino Night in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must first obtain a raffle and bazaar permit from the local city/town clerk in the city/town where the drawing or casino night will be held. Any organization holding a raffle or bazaar in the Commonwealth must pay a 5% tax on the gross proceeds, which is an excise tax on wagering.
One-Day Bingo (Beano)
The Charitable Gaming Division of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission issues one-day Bingo licenses. Qualified organizations must be non-profit and organized and operating as a non-profit for a period of two years in the Commonwealth. The fee for the Bingo license is $50.00, and all organizations are required to pay a 5% tax on the gross proceeds of the Bingo event.
One-Day Bingo License Guidelines
Groups must be non-profit in nature and organized and operating as such for a period of two years in the Commonwealth.
Groups will have to provide proof of their non-profit status.
The one-day license fee is $50.00, payable to the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.
Groups may use a hall of their own choosing or the Lottery will pair them up with an existing licensee who can provide gaming assistance.
No person under the age of 18 will be allowed to participate.
The Lottery Commission will assist groups in designing a format for their event, and will have personnel on site to oversee the preparation of the appropriate paperwork.
A tax of 5% on the gross proceeds will be due the Lottery Commission.
Charity Game Tickets can be sold at the game; the non-profit group will pay only for the tickets they sell.
Funds raised must be used for charitable, religious and educational purposes.
Local approval (Board of Selectman or City Council and Mayor, and Chief of Police) must be obtained prior to Licensing by the Lottery Commission.
Group must play in a city or town that currently allows Bingo.
Must provide Lottery with at least 2 months notice of intent to conduct game.
The Lottery reserves the right to deny a license for a day and time that will conflict with an existing Bingo game in the area.
Please contact the Lottery at (781) 849-5555, ext. 5527, for further information.
Did You Know?
Approximately 70% of the money collected at Charitable Gaming Events returns back to players as prizes. The other part helps support your local communities.
If you have any questions on Bingo laws or other Charitable Gaming policies, please call the Massachusetts State Lottery at (781) 849-5555 and use the following extensions:
Bingo/Charity Games Audits, Financial Reports and Financial Inquiries, Raffles/Casino Functions
Administration: Ext. 5527
Auditing: Ext. 5337, 5334
Accounting: Ext. 5341, 5336
Bingo Game Operations, Charity Game Tickets
Senior Citizen Recreational Bingo: Ext. 5345, 5527
Regional Offices: 1-800-342-3031 or:
Woburn: (781) 935-2668 (local) Charitable Gaming Regional Staff: Ext. 5440
New Bedford: (508) 985-9892 (local)
W. Springfield: (413) 781-3880 (local) Charitable Gaming Regional Staff: Ext. 5420
Worcester: (508) 755-7855 (local)
Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
Charitable Gaming Division
150 Mount Vernon St
Dorchester, MA 02125
(781) 849-5555