a pile of orange and white bingo balls

Charitable Gaming

Bell jar, Bingo, casino nights, raffles, and more.
Division of Charitable Gaming

The Division of Charitable Gaming investigates, audits and monitors the sale of millions of bell jar tickets annually; verifies the lawful disbursement of bingo, bell jar, casino night, and raffle proceeds by authorized charitable organizations across New York State; licenses the manufacturers and distributors of bingo and games of chance equipment; and issues bingo and games of chance identification numbers to applicant organizations as a prerequisite to their licensing by municipalities.

Highlights

  • Organizations seeking to operate raffles with anticipated net proceeds less than $5,000 do not need to register with the Commission. If the raffle is expected to generate $5,000 or more in net proceeds, the organization must obtain a Games of Chance Identification Number from the Commission. Once obtained, the identification number must be included on all forms and license documents.
  • Authorized organizations must be in existence for at least one year and maintain current membership rosters.
  • All proceeds must go to the lawful purposes of the authorized organization.
  • Authorized organizations may accept multiple forms of payment. Authorized organizations may pay some expenses via electronic funds transfer ETF.
  • Authorized organizations may advertise games of chance on television and online.
  • Licenses must be posted where games are conducted.
Resources
How to Obtain an ID Number

Learn how to obtain a Games of Chance and/or Bingo Identification Number, the first step to apply for a license to conduct charitable gaming in New York State.

Charitable Gaming Online

Organizations currently licensed to sell Bell Jar may use Charitable Gaming Online (cGO) to file their CG-7Q Quarterly Statement of Bell Jar Operations with the Commission.

Training and Education
Charitable Gaming Compliance Seminars
The Commission is available to help authorized organizations learn about and comply with the various laws, rules and regulations governing charitable gaming.

Games of Chance Resources

Division of Charitable Gaming
Contact Us