Wyoming Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming in Wyoming consists of bingo, pull-tabs and raffles. The state mandates that at least 65% of gross sales collected are to be given back to players as winnings each month. After winnings are deducted from gross sales, a maximum of 40% of the net proceeds may be paid to manufacturers or distributors of equipment and supplies to conduct the games. Then, 75% of the remaining net proceeds is to be donated within one year to a charitable cause.

Bingo games and pull-tab games can only be conducted by charitable or nonprofit organizations that have been in existence in this state for at least three years. Charitable or nonprofit organizations can be nationally chartered veterans, religious, educational or fraternal organizations or nonprofit local civic or service clubs organized or incorporated under Wyoming state laws. To be considered a charitable or nonprofit organization for purposes of charitable gaming, an organization must be recognized as a charitable or nonprofit organization under Wyoming statutes and hold a valid exemption from federal income tax from the Internal Revenue Service under the provisions of IRS Code 501(c).

Although there is a statute that allows for charitable gaming, there is no state agency that oversees or regulates such gaming.