Bingo, Bazaar and Raffle Information for Organizations and Municipal Officials in Connecticut

The decision to permit bingo, bazaars, and raffles is voted upon by each municipality. Bingo statutes are C.G.S. 7-169 through 7-169e. Bazaar and Raffle statutes are C.G.S. 7-170 through 7-186.

Please note, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is responsible for permitting sealed ticket activities and registering manufacturers and distributors of sealed ticket game products and equipment. DCP is also responsible for registering qualified equipment dealers of bingo, bazaar and raffle equipment. All other permits related to bingo, bazaars and raffles are the responsibility of the municipalities.

Bingo

Each municipality is responsible for permitting and enforcement of all bingo games, bazaars and raffles taking place in their town. 

In addition, post-event reporting must be made to the municipality that issued the permit. The chief of police is responsible for the permitting and enforcement of bingo games. If there is no chief of police, then the municipality’s chief executive officer is responsible.

Bingo Information

Bingo registrations are issued to qualifying non‐profit organizations in the municipality. These organizations must be charitable, civic, educational, fraternal, veterans' or religious organization, volunteer fire departments or grange that have been established for at least two years.  

Every organization that applies for a bingo permit, mush register with the municipal official and receive an identification number. Upon receiving its initial registration, an organization may apply for a bingo permit.

Each permit allows for 15-40 bingo games per day. The following permits are available:

Recreational Bingo may be operated by senior citizen organizations and Parent Teacher Organizations/Parent Teacher Associations who are permitted by the municipality. Recreational bingo permits do not allow for fundraising. These organizations must apply for a separate permit for fundraising purposes.

• Recreational Bingo Registration for Senior Citizens - Organizations consisting of members 60 years of age and older (one time registration issued for the life of the organization and does not need to be renewed)
• Recreational Bingo Registration for Parent Teacher Associations or Organization (annual registration) - PTA/PTO groups that desire to conduct bingo to raise funds rather than for recreational purposes must comply with charitable games bingo statutes.

Within 10 days after each bingo event, the organization is required to file a financial return with the municipality, providing pertinent event information including the gross receipts, prizes awarded and net profit, of which a payment of 5 percent of the gross receipts of the bingo session, less the prizes awarded, will be paid to the municipality. 

Bingo Application and Report Forms

Each town that allows bingo must provide applications and reports for organizations. Applications must contain the applicant’s name, address, the location of the place at which the bingo games are to be played and the seating capacity of the venue, the date or dates for which a permit is sought, the class of permit sought and any other information which the municipal official reasonably requires for the protection of the public.

Optional templates for use by municipalities are available at: https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Licensing/Bingo-Transition-Information

Investigations and Penalties

If a municipal official determines a person is violating or about to violate bingo law (C.G.S. 7-169), made a false statement on a permit application, or made a false statement on a report, the municipal official may suspend or revoke a permit. If a permit is revoked, the organization cannot be issued another bingo permit by the municipality for one year after the date of revocation. Individuals who violate bingo law or make false statements on a permit application shall be guilty of a class D misdemeanor. 

See also: Bingo Frequently Asked Questions

Bazaars and Raffles

Bazaar Information

A “bazaar” is a place maintained by a sponsoring organization for awarding prizes won in games of chance. Bazaar permits are issued to qualifying non‐profit organizations desiring to conduct a bazaar. Bazaar permit application fees are calculated on a per day basis. 

Examples of bazaar games include:

• 50/50 coupon games
• Teacup raffles
• Blower ball games

If total prizes exceed $7,500, the municipality must investigate the qualifications of the organization and verify the facts on the application. 

After each bazaar has been permitted and completed, the organization must file a verified statement that includes gross receipts, expenses, net profit, and prizes awarded with the municipality that issued the permit. The statement must be filed by the end of the next succeeding month. There is no payment to the municipality in conjunction with the verified statement.

Raffle Information

A “raffle” is an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets. Winners are determined by chance after the sale and entitle the winning ticket holders to prizes. Raffle permits are issued to qualifying non‐profit organizations desiring to conduct a raffle. There are several classes of raffle permits based on factors such as the length of time tickets will be sold and the aggregate value of prizes to be awarded. 

Examples of raffles include:

Traditional style raffles (including winner need not be present or must be present)

• Cash prize raffles
• Duck race raffles
• Cow-chip raffles
• Frog race raffles
• Special tuition raffles

For any permit application where the total aggregate prize(s) of the intended raffle would exceed $7,500, the municipality must investigate the qualifications of the organization and verify the facts stated in the application.

After each raffle has been permitted and completed, the organization must file a verified statement to include gross receipts, expenses, net profit, and prizes awarded with the municipality that issued the permit. The statement must be filed by the end of the next succeeding month. There is no payment to the municipality in conjunction with the verified statement.

Raffle drawings cannot be conducted exclusively online.

Bazaar and Raffle Permit Fees by Class of Permit

*No alcohol shall be given as a prizes

Bazaar and Raffle Volunteers

Members and volunteers may not be paid for time and effort to promote or operate the bazaar or raffle.  Individuals must be 18 years of age and older to promote, conduct, or operate the bazaar or raffle. No one under the age of 16 may sell or promote the sale of raffle tickets.

Permit Enforcement/Compliance

The applicant must immediately notify municipal officials of any changes in the application. If a municipal official finds that a person is violating or about to violate any raffle/bazaar rules, or lied on an application, the municipal official may suspend or revoke the permit and order a cease and desist.

Once a permit is revoked, the permittee may not reapply for 3 years from the date of violation. Any person who violates raffle/bazaar rules or makes a false statement in a permit application or required report shall be fined not more than $1,000 and/or imprisoned for not more than one year.

Bazaar And Raffle Application and Report Forms

Optional templates for use by municipalities available at https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Licensing/Bingo-Transition-Information