Games of Chance License
A Games of Chance License is required to run games of chance in which prizes are awarded on the basis of a designated winning number(s), color(s), or symbol(s) determined by chance. Only bona fide religious and charitable organizations and bona fide organizations of veterans or volunteer firefighters can get a Games of Chance license.
These games fall into three general categories:
- Las Vegas Nights (Casino Nights): Casino-type games—for example, roulette, craps, blackjack, money wheels, bang—played at carnivals, festivals, or similar events.
- Bell Jars: Games in which a participant draws a card from a suitable container, typically a jar, or New York State Gaming Commission-approved vending machine that contains numbers, colors, or symbols that, when uncovered, may reveal a prize awarded on the basis of a designated winning number, color, or symbol or combination of numbers, colors, or symbols. Bell jars include “coin boards,” “merchandise boards,” and “seal cards.”
- Raffles: Games in which a participant pays money in return for a ticket or other receipt and a prize is awarded on the basis of matching a randomly selected winning number(s), color(s), or symbol(s) designated on the ticket or receipt./li>
The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) issues this license.
Applicant must register with the New York State Gaming Commission to obtain a Games of Chance identification number.
You must have the applicable documentation based on your organization’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of these documents in order to process your application, DCWP may request this information under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.
- Not-for-profit corporations must register and remain active with the New York State Department of State. You can check your status at dos.ny.gov/corps.
- If applicable, you must also have an Assumed Name Certificate for your organization.
Submit New York State Gaming Commission Application Materials.
- If you plan to hold Las Vegas Nights; Bell Jars; and/or Raffles with net proceeds OVER $30,000 for the calendar year, submit a signed, completed copy of GC-2 Application for Games of Chance License, GC-2A Application for Games of Chance License, and GC-2B Application for Games of Chance License.
- If you plan to hold Raffles with net proceeds OVER $30,000 for the calendar year, submit a signed, completed copy of GCVS-1 Verified Statement of Raffle Ticket Operations.
All forms are available at gaming.ny.gov.
If the license application will be filed by someone other than the applicant, complete the Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.
List of Permit Fees.
- Las Vegas Night License Fee: $25 per occasion.
- Las Vegas Night Additional Fee: 5% of net proceeds from each occasion.
- Bell Jar License Fee: $25 for one calendar year.
- Bell Jar Additional Fee: 5% of net proceeds should be made payable to NYS Gaming Commission.
- Raffle License Fee: $25 for organizations that profit $30,000 or more in a calendar year. No license fee is charged for organizations that profit less than $30,000 in a calendar year for raffles.
- Raffle Additional Fee: 2% of net proceeds over $30,000 for raffles in which an organization profits more than $30,000 from all raffles in a calendar year. There is no additional fee for organizations that profit less than $30,000 from all raffles in a calendar year.
- Non-Refundable Convenience Fee for paying with a credit card
List of accepted payment methods.
- Check (Payable to the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection for all fees with the exception of the Bell Jar Additional Fee. All checks must be issued from a bank account established solely for bingo game and / or games of chance transactions.)
- Check (Payable to the NYS Gaming Commission for the Bell Jar Additional Fee. All checks must be issued from a bank account established solely for bingo game and / or games of chance transactions.)
- Credit card including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.
- If the application is approved, DCWP will issue the applicant a license document.
- If the application requires additional information, DCWP will notify the applicant by mail with instructions on how to submit this information. If the applicant does not submit the requested materials to DCWP within 10 days of receiving this notification letter, the application will be denied.
- If the application is denied, DCWP will provide an explanation for the denial and information about the reapplication process.
At the end of each Las Vegas Night occasion, the licensee must submit GC-7 Financial Statement for Games of Chance Operations and GC-7B Cash Control Summary for Games of Chance, and pay additional fees to DCWP within seven days.
At the end of each calendar quarter, the licensee must submit GC-7Q Quarterly Statement for Bell Jar Operations and GC-7Q Schedule 1 Bell Jar Deals Sold and pay additional fees within 15 days. Download GC-7Q Instructions.
Any licensee with a profit of less than $30,000 in a calendar year from all raffles must submit GCVS-2 Verified Statement Raffle Operations and pay additional fees to DCWP on or before January 20th of the following year.