Card games (charitable or nonprofit)
Who can apply for a card game license
If you are a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization, you may offer social card games in certain circumstances. You may not operate more than 15 card tables.
Learn more about our licensing requirements for charitable or nonprofit organizations.
About card games
Visit the Washington State Legislature site to see all the rules that govern card games (apps.leg.wa.gov).
Nonhouse-banked card games
- Offer for play authorized nonhouse-banked card games, such as poker
- You may offer card games with or without a fee
- Conduct approved tournaments.
Nonhouse-banked card games - Class F endorsement
- Offer for play authorized nonhouse-banked card games
- You may offer card games with or without a fee
- Conduct approved tournaments
- Authorized alternative fee collections
- Player-supported jackpots.
House-banked card games
- Offer for play authorized house-banked card games
- With this license, you may also:
- Offer for play nonhouse-banked card games
- Conduct approved tournaments
- Offer player-supported jackpots
- Use alternative fee collection.
How to apply
In addition to all the materials outlined in our licensing process, the complete application includes:
Current licensees: Add card games to your existing gambling license
If you already have an active gambling license with us and would like to add card games as a new activity, complete the "Add an Activity" application.
Card Games - Add an Activity to Charitable / Nonprofit Organization Application Packet (PDF, 900 KB)
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 (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Review all the rules for card games: 230-15 Card game rules (app.leg.wa.gov)
- Learn what would be considered criminal violations (PDF, 25 KB)
Social card room
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 15 days of the last day of each month, every month.
Use these to help you keep records that meet our standards:
- Card Room Records Packet (PDF, 400 KB)
- Card Room Records for Player-Supported Jackpots, Rakes, and Alternative Collection Methods Packet (PDF, 400 KB)
- Nonhouse-Banked Internal Controls Template (PDF, 60 KB)
- House-Banked Card Room Records Packet (PDF, 900 KB)
- House-Banked Internal Controls Template (PDF, 300 KB)
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.
Helpful rules
Learn who qualifies as a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization (app.leg.wa.gov)
Learn about authorized fees and authorized methods of collection (app.leg.wa.gov)