Nonprofit Organization Gambling Fundraiser Registration Program

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OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:

The State of California’s Business and Professions Code sections 19985-19987 allow for eligible nonprofit organizations to hold “charity poker night” fundraisers. Qualified 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 prior approval. Below you will find instructions for both nonprofit organizations and suppliers of equipment and/or services.

INFORMATION FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS:

For nonprofit organizations, the Nonprofit Organization Annual Registration Form serves two purposes: it registers the nonprofit organization for the calendar year so that the organization is eligible to apply for approval for a fundraising event; and it includes a section to register the event itself.

Please Note:

  • Please read Business and Professions Code sections 19985 through 19987 for comprehensive information pertaining to these types of fundraisers.
  • Each nonprofit organization may hold only one gambling fundraiser per calendar year
  • In the interest of fairness, registrations are processed in the order that they are received. The registration processing time is approximately 30 days from the date that the original signed form and check are received in our office. Registration forms received with less than 30 days before the event date may not be processed in time to issue a determination of your eligibility for registration. To better ensure timely processing, it is important that you submit your completed registration form and required fees in a timely manner. You can use the registration link below to fill out the registration form. A PDF will populate with the information added to the form. It will need to be printed and signed by a fiduciary for the nonprofit organization and mailed to the Bureau of Gambling Control along with the registration fee check.
  • The current registration fee is $100 and it is non-refundable, even if the fundraiser is cancelled.
  • If a registered organization needs to reschedule its fundraiser due to unforeseen circumstances, the original registration certificate must be returned to the Bureau of Gambling Control, postmarked prior to the original fundraiser date. This must also be accompanied by a letter of request to reschedule the fundraiser. The letter should indicate all changes being made, and must be signed by the same person who signed the registration form. A new registration form and fee are not required for rescheduled fundraisers as long as it is rescheduled as here detailed and for the same calendar year as the original approval.
  • If your registration is denied, and you wish to resubmit, a new registration form must be completed and re-submitted to the Bureau. Do not re-send the denied registration form back to the Bureau as it will not be processed.
  • No one under age 21 is allowed to participate at these fundraising events
  • Only controlled games as defined by California Penal Code section 337j(e)(1) may be played at these events. Approved games are listed on the Annual Registration Form for Nonprofit Organizations. Additional games that are approved for play at specific California card rooms may be found on the Bureau of Gambling Control's Card Room List. Please note that many of the games and game rules offered by California card rooms may be trademarked, copyrighted, patented, or otherwise subject to proprietary restrictions. Accordingly, please consult with your legal counsel for advice as to these issues with respect to games your organization wishes to offer for charitable fundraising purposes. In addition, previously approved game rules may be modified or have their approvals withdrawn. Accordingly, the above web page should be consulted prior to each fundraising event to be held to assure that only currently approved games are played.
  • Pursuant to California Penal Code section 330, et seq. slot machines and other games, including roulette, craps, twenty-one, or any banking or percentage game played for anything of value, are prohibited and cannot lawfully be played for charitable fundraising purposes.
  • Please see registration steps below for additional information on how to register.

INFORMATION FOR SUPPLIERS:

For suppliers, the Supplier Annual Registration Form registers the business as a supplier for the entire calendar year or when the local business license issued for that year expires, whichever comes first.

Please Note:

  • Please read Business and Professions Code sections 19985 through 19987 for comprehensive information pertaining to these types of fundraisers. This is where you will also be able to find more information about who may qualify as an eligible nonprofit organization.
  • The current registration fee is $100 and it is non-refundable upon the business receiving registration.
  • As a part of the approval process, Bureau staff will verify that you are only providing or advertising games that are “controlled” games approved for play at charitable gambling events.
  • All nonprofit organizations who host a charitable gambling event must be pre-approved by the Bureau prior to their event. As a supplier, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are only supplying games and/or services to those nonprofit organizations that have been approved by the Bureau.
  • If your registration is denied, and you wish to resubmit, a new registration form must be completed. Do not send the denied registration form.
  • No one under age 21 is allowed to participate at these fundraising events
  • Only controlled games as defined by California Penal Code section 337j(e)(1) may be played at these events. Approved games are listed on the Annual Registration Form for Nonprofit Organizations. Additional games that are approved for play at specific California card rooms may be found on the Bureau of Gambling Control's Card Room List. Please note that many of the games and game rules offered by California card rooms may be trademarked, copyrighted, patented, or otherwise subject to proprietary restrictions. Accordingly, please consult with your legal counsel for advice as to these issues with respect to games your organization wishes to offer for charitable fundraising purposes. In addition, previously approved game rules may be modified or have their approvals withdrawn. Accordingly, the above web page should be consulted prior to each fundraising event to be held to assure that only currently approved games are played.
  • Pursuant to California Penal Code section 330, et seq. slot machines and other games, including roulette, craps, twenty-one, or any banking or percentage game played for anything of value, are prohibited and cannot lawfully be played for charitable fundraising purposes.
  • In the interest of fairness, registrations are processed in the order that they are received. The registration processing time is approximately 30 days from the date that the original signed form and check are received in our office. To better ensure timely processing, it is important that you submit your completed registration form and required fees in a timely manner. You can use the registration link below to fill out the registration form. A PDF will populate with the information added to the form. It will need to be printed, signed, and mailed to the Bureau of Gambling Control along with the registration fee check.

REGISTRATION STEPS:

  1. Please first read Business and Professions Code sections 19985 through 19987. If you are a nonprofit organization, please also read the “INFORMATION FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS” section above so that you have a clear understanding of the program. For suppliers, please read the information in the “INFORMATION FOR SUPPLIERS” section. You may also contact our office with any additional questions.
  2. Click the appropriate registration link below.
  3. Input all of the information on the registration form.
  4. A PDF of the form with all of your information will populate.
  5. Once you have completed the form online, please print the form and have a fiduciary for the organization or business sign and date the form.
  6. Mail the form along with the $100 registration fee check to the address listed on the form.

REGISTRATION LINKS:

Charitable Gambling Registration Program

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND LINKS:

Other fundraising restrictions apply to charity bingo and charity raffle events. Please contact your local jurisdiction (city or county as applicable) for inquiries regarding charitable bingo. The Attorney General’s Charitable Trust Section regulates charitable raffles.

Nonprofit organizations must also register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charities and Fundraisers 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, pdf.

Business and Professions Codes sections 19985 through 19987

California Penal Code section 330

California Penal Code section 337j(e)(1)

Contact Us

Phone: (916) 830-1700
Email: BGCCharitableGambling@doj.ca.gov

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