AG offers guidance on charitable gaming

In response to inquiries from several cities and towns, Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office is providing guidance to local officials regarding the laws and regulations governing charitable gaming.

Municipalities are the permitting authority for all charitable gaming activities, and the attorney general’s office is serving as a resource to assist cities and towns in discharging this responsibility, as local officials strive to ensure that charitable gaming is conducted in an appropriate manner.

Recognizing that this is a complex matter, the attorney general’s office has developed a detailed letter and checklist to help municipalities.

“While charitable gaming is available as an option for certain organizations to raise funds, there are significant limitations on which organizations may conduct these events, how often they can occur, and the operation of these events,” states the letter, which was sent to city and town clerks on May 2.

There are limitations, for example, on who may hold charitable gaming events, how long they may last, who may staff, manage, promote and benefit from the events, and the prizes that are awarded.

• Download charitable gaming guidance letter from the attorney general’s office (96K PDF)

• Download charitable gaming checklist for municipalities (80K PDF)