Licensing requirements for charitable and nonprofit organizations

Learn about which organizations can qualify as a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of conducting gambling activities.

About charitable or nonprofit organizations

Visit the Washington State Legislature site to learn what we consider to be a charitable or nonprofit organization.

What qualifies as a bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization for the purposes of gambling

Not all charitable or nonprofit organization qualify to offer gambling activities.

For us to grant a charitable or nonprofit organization gambling license, a group must:

  • Demonstrate that the organization has made significant progress toward the accomplishment of their stated purpose during the 12 consecutive month period prior to applying for a license
  • Show that contributions to the organization are tax-deductible as determined by the IRS
  • Be IRS tax exempt
  • Exist primarily for purposes other than the operation of gambling activities
  • Serve 1 of the following purposes only:
    • Charitable
    • Benevolent
    • Eleemosynary
    • Educational
    • Civic
    • Patriotic
    • Political
    • Religious
    • Scientific
    • Social
    • Fraternal
    • Athletic
    • Agricultural.

Other charitable or nonprofit organizations

Any corporation which has been incorporated under Title 36 U.S.C. whose principal purposes are to:

  • furnish volunteer aid to members of the armed forces of the United States
  • carry on a system of national and international relief
  • apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other national calamities.