Mn Charitable Gambling Rules
- Bingo was the first form of charitable gambling officially sanctioned by the state of Minnesota (in 1945). Its essence is the same as the familiar bingo game as played in the US. In recent years, legislation has allowed for bingo to be played in bars, with hand-held electronic devices, and even linked across many different locations.
- Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department 600 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 John Williams, Legislative Analyst 651-296-5045 Updated: May 2004 Charitable Gambling in Minnesota An information brief on legislative history, rules and regulations, and the outlook for charitable gambling.
- Minnesota Charitable Gambling, Inc. Had a booth at the 2010 Allied Charities of Minnesota Convention and Expo in Rochester from November 18th through the 20th. It was great to meet and chat with so many of you and to show off our new website and our brand new Charitable Gambling Manager web application.
Charitable Gambling in Minnesota Charitable gambling has been legal in Minnesota since 1945. This information brief describes the legislative history, rules and regulations, and the outlook for charitable gambling. This information brief is only a summary of the law and rules governing charitable gambling. Minnesota Gambling Control Board Rules. The rules for lawful gambling electronic games, sports tipboard games, and other lawful gambling provisions are effective on Monday, July 15, 2019. For those of you affected by language requiring compliance within 180 days from the effective date of the rules, that date is January 11, 2020.
Registered nonprofit organizations may conduct lawful (charitable) gambling such as bingo, pull-tabs, tip boards, and paddle tickets. Some food or bar establishments lease or grant space to these organizations.
These activities are subject to the state’s Lawful Gambling Tax (but not sales tax).
For more information:
- See Gambling Taxes
- Visit the Gambling Control Board website
- Call the Gambling Control Board at 651-539-1900
A retail sale is:
- The sale, lease, or rental of tangible personal property
- The sale of tangible personal property used in conducting lawful gambling under chapter 349 or State Lottery under chapter 349A and is not considered a sale of property for resale
The table below explains when sales tax applies to the sale of gambling devices and equipment.
Minnesota Charitable Gambling License
| Question | Is the Item Taxable? | References |
|---|---|---|
| Is the rental of electronic gaming devices taxable? | Yes. The lessee is responsible for the sales tax on the rental or lease of the equipment. It does not matter if there is a revenue sharing agreement. |
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| Are monthly equipment charges taxable? | Yes. The lessee is responsible for the sales tax on the rental or lease of the equipment. |
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| Are revenue sharing agreements taxable? | Yes. The lessee is responsible for the sales tax on the total sales price of the rental or lease of an electronic gaming device – even when the sales price is separated into various components. |
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| Are bingo cards and pull-tabs taxable? | Yes. The retailer is responsible for the sales tax unless an exemption applies – including purchases of digital products. |
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| Are electronic pull-tabs taxable? | Yes. The retailer is responsible for the sales tax unless an exemption applies – including purchases of digital products. |
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| Are apps for electronic gaming devices taxable? | Yes, they are taxable when sold to the distributor. |
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| Is the sale of the software taxable? | Yes, they are taxable when sold to the distributor. |
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| Does local sales and use tax apply when the city also has a local gambling tax? | No. However, Minnesota sales tax (6.875%) still applies. |
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| Are purchases of gambling equipment by a 501(c)3 organization with a gambling license taxable? | Yes. These organizations must pay sales tax when they purchase, lease, or rent gambling devices and equipment. |
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Mn Charitable Gambling Rules Against
If you have any questions, email us at salesuse.tech@state.mn.us.