Legalized Games of Chance (Raffles and Bingos) Simplified

No. For Bingo games, they need to be held at a location already licensed by the Legalized Games of Chance.

The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission requires supplies to be bought from a licensed dealer.

A list of licensed dealers can be found on their website.

First, you’d need to be a “Qualified Organization,” which is defined by the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission:

“Qualified organization” means a bona fide organization or association of veterans, religious congregation, religious organization, charitable organization, educational organization, fraternal organization, civic and service club, officially recognized volunteer fire company, officially recognized first aid squad, and officially recognized rescue squads, and senior citizens association or club.

If you qualify, you can apply online at the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission website or do their paper application.

You are allowed to apply for games up to a year of submittal of the application, as long as your registration will be valid on the last day of the games you are applying for.

Per the Legalized Games of Chance Commission Page as of 1/9/2023 (Click the link to see the full list, the list below is based on what most applicants request):

Bingo: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State for each occasion any game or games of bingo are to be conducted.

On Premises 50-50 Draw Raffle: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State for each day on which a drawing(s) is to be conducted. However, if the anticipated prizes are expected to be less than $400.00, there is no license fee.

Off Premises 50-50 Raffle: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State for each day on which a drawing(s) is to be conducted. An additional $20 to both parties is required if the awarded prizes exceed $1,000.  In the event the awarded prize exceeds $1,000, then an additional fee of $20.00 for each $1,000 or part thereof in value of the awarded prize(s) in excess of $1,000 shall be sent to the Municipality and Legalized Games of Chance Commission.

Off Premises Merchandise Draw Raffle: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State per value of the merchandise, based on an additional $20 to the State and Municipality per $1,000 in merchandise value.

On Premises Merchandise Draw Raffle: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State if the merchandise is over $400.00. If it is less, then there is no license fee.

Tricky Tray: $20 to the Municipality and $20 to the State. After the games are held, an additional $20 to the State and Municipality per $1,000 in tickets sold.

If the merchandise totals in value to $900.00, you would only pay $20. However, if the value is $1001, then you would pay $40 to the State, and $40 to the Municipality. If the merchandise was $2000, then it would be $60 to the State, and $60 to the Municipality.

What Is The Payment If There Are Multiple Dates: If you are having a game on May 5th and May 20th, you will pay $40 to the State and $40 to the Municipality.

*If the games are all the same type, you can put them on the same application. So, if they are both a On-Premises 50-50 Raffle, you could put May 5th and May 20th on the same application. Otherwise, you would need separate applications.

Below is a summarized version of the Legalized Games Of Chance Control Commission’s Instructions:
1. Get registered with the State to become authorized to do games throughout the State of New Jersey.

2. Bring your application, your green State registration card, and any required fees to the Clerk’s office.

If you are doing what is known as an “Off-Premise” event, aka you are selling tickets before the event, you will need a sample ticket. You can use the Off Premise 50/50 Raffle example provided by the state, or Off Premise Draw Raffle Awarding Merchandise.

Please note, if you are doing a bingo game at a location your organization doesn’t own, a “Bingo Statement of Landlord” is required with your application.

3. The Municipality will run a soft-background check on members conducting the game (they’ll do a basic check of your name in their system) via the Police Department.

4. Once the Police Department approves, your application will be sent to the State who have 14 calendar days to issue a denial.
*Please note, there are times when a denial can come after day 14, and if a denial is issued, you would have to rectify any issues, even if you were issued a license

5. If the State doesn’t issue a denial, the applicant should contact the Township about when they plan to pick up the license.
*The State operates on a no news is good news basis

6. Once the game is over, the applicant would send a report of operations
 to the State (the Municipality doesn’t need a copy)

Click Here for a bingo license application.
Click Here for a raffle license application.

Yes, the legalized games of chance commission (LGCCC) requires licenses for Wine Pulls. They are treated in a similar vein to tricky trays, and the items being raffled need to be within a reasonable price range from each other. For example, if it is bottles of wine, they can’t sell a $20 ticket, and the wine is worth $20 to $500. However, they can do tickets on tiers, so tier 1 can be $20, and you get a $20 to $50 of wine, $60 gets you a wine bottle between $60 and $100, and so on.