Bingo, raffles, and amusement games at agricultural fairs (charitable or nonprofit)
Who can apply for a license to operate bingo, raffles, or amusement games at an agricultural fair
"Agricultural fair" means a fair or exhibition which is intended to promote agriculture and support rural economic development by:
- including a balanced variety of exhibits of livestock and agricultural products, as well as related arts and manufactures
- including products of the farm home and educational contests, displays, and demonstrations designed to train youth
- promoting the welfare of farm people and rural living.
If you are a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization that is an agricultural fair, you may apply to operate bingo, raffles, or amusement games. This license is valid for the duration of the fair.
Learn more about our licensing requirements for charitable or nonprofit organizations.
About agricultural fair to operate bingo, raffles, or amusement games (Charitable or nonprofit organization)
Visit the Washington State Legislature site to see the laws that govern agricultural fairs:
- Chapter 15.76 RCW: Agricultural Fairs, Youth Shows, Exhibitions (apps.leg.wa.gov)
- Chapter 36.37 RCW: Agricultural Fairs and Poultry Shows (apps.leg.wa.gov).
See each activity for more information, including training and recordkeeping requirements. After we grant your license, you have 30 days to complete your required training for:
How to apply
In addition to all the materials outlined in our licensing process, the complete application includes:
- Agricultural Fair to Operate Bingo, Raffles, and/or Amusement Games Application - Charitable / Nonprofit Organization Application Packet (PDF, 700 KB)
- Application fee.
If there is any person (employee, volunteer, or member) who is not working solely for your organization that wants to offer bingo at your agricultural fair, they must apply for a separate permit to conduct bingo.
- Permit application for charitable / nonprofit organization to conduct bingo at agricultural fairs
- Permit application for commercial business to conduct bingo at agricultural fairs.
If applying by mail
If you're applying by mail, make sure you use the correct address based on the carrier you're using.
For US Mail (No UPS or FedEx)
Washington State Gambling Commission
PO Box 42400
Olympia WA 98504-2400
For UPS, FedEx, and overnight packages
Washington State Gambling Commission
4565 7th Avenue SE
Lacey WA 98503
Required training
After we grant your license, you have 30 days to complete your required training:
- Review all the rules for all licensees: 230-06 Rules for all licensees (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Review all the rules for charitable and nonprofit organizations: 230-07 Charitable and nonprofit rules (apps.leg.wa.gov)
- Review all the rules for bingo games: 230-10 Bingo rules (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Review all the raffle rules: 230-11 Raffles (apps.leg.wa.gov)
- Review all the rules for amusement games: 230-13 Amusement game rules (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Learn what would be considered criminal violations (PDF, 25 KB)
Highest-Ranking Officer
In addition to the above training for your activity, you must also review the following:
- Watch the Charitable / Nonprofit Gambling – Responsibilities of Officers and Board Members Video, Part 1 (www.youtube.com)
- Watch the Charitable / Nonprofit Gambling – Responsibilities of Officers and Board Members Video, Part 2 (www.youtube.com)
- Review the Management Guidelines for the Charitable / Nonprofit Gambling Licensee (PDF, 550 KB)
Required recordkeeping
You must:
- Keep records to provide in case we audit your business
- Complete the records within 30 days of the last day of each month, every month..
Retaining your records
You must retain the records for 3 years from the end of your fiscal year.
Renewing your license
Licenses expire each year. Learn more about how to renew your license.
Reporting changes to your license
There are certain changes you must tell us about. Learn how to report changes to your license.