Delaware Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming is regulated by the Delaware Gaming Control Board. Delaware charitable organizations can offer bingo, instant bingo, raffles and Texas Hold'em poker tournaments.

Bingo became legal in Delaware in 1957 when a constitutional amendment was passed allowing bingo games to be run adhering to mandated guidelines. The only organizations allowed to operate bingo were not-for-profit, volunteer fire companies, veterans, religious, charitable and fraternal organizations that have been in existence two or more years. All profits derived from these games are to be used solely for the organizations' charity.

The Delaware Bingo Control Commission was created with the Amendment to oversee rules and regulations for the issuance of licenses and the operation of bingo games. In 1969, the Bingo Control Commission was transferred to the Division of Business and Occupational Regulation. In 1981, the Delaware Gaming Control Board was created to protect the public by regulating sports, amusements, and any and all activities involving gambling. The Control Board assumed the duties and responsibilities of the former Bingo Control Commission. The division's name was changed in 1986 to the Division of Business and Professional Regulation.

In June 2013, Delaware approved legislation to legalize slots in veterans clubs. Only "fraternal benefit organizations" in operation for 75 years or more are allowed to operate slots and poker machines. The legislation was adopted as part of a push to clamp down on illegal slots in private clubs. The state takes 40% of the revenue generated by the slots and uses part of that share to pay the slot vendors, and 60% of the club's share has to go to charity.

There are now more than 400 slots operated by veterans clubs in Delaware. In the first month of operation under the new law, the veterans clubs generated $600,000 in net revenue.