4/1/2022

Iowa Social Gambling License Application

1.
a.A qualified organization shall submit an application for a license, along with any required fees, to the department at least thirty days in advance of the beginning of the gambling activity, including the sale of entries or promotion of the sale of entries for raffles.
b.For purposes of this section, a license is deemed to be issued on the first day of the period for which the license is issued.
c.An applicant that has not submitted an annual report required pursuant to section 99B.16 shall submit such report prior to approval of the application.

To be eligible to claim the New Player Welcome Bonuses, players must deposit a minimum of £10 in one Iowa Department Of Inspections And Appeals Social And Charitable Gambling License Application instance, for each Iowa Department Of Inspections And Appeals Social And Charitable Gambling License Application bonus. New Player Welcome Bonuses. If you want to apply for a social or charitable gambling license, you will need to fill out a paper application. Please download the appropriate application below and mail the completed packet including payment to our office.

Iowa social gambling license dice games
d.A license shall not be issued to an applicant whose previous license issued under this chapter or chapter 123 has been revoked until the period of revocation or revocations has elapsed.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 99B.12

  • Applicant: means an individual or an organization applying for a license under this chapter. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • Bingo: means a game, whether known as bingo or any other name, in which each participant uses one or more cards each of which is marked off into spaces arranged in horizontal and vertical rows of spaces, with each space being designated by number, letter, symbol, or picture, or combination of numbers, letters, symbols, or pictures. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Department: means the department of inspections and appeals. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Gambling: means any activity where a person risks something of value or other consideration for a chance to win a prize. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • Game night: means an event at which casino-style games may be conducted, in addition to games of skill and games of chance, within one consecutive twenty-four-hour period. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • Licensed qualified organization: means a qualified organization that is issued a license under this chapter and that complies with the requirements for a qualified organization issued a license under this chapter. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • month: means a calendar month, and the word 'year' and the abbreviation 'A. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • Qualified organization: means an organization that has an active membership of not less than twelve persons, does not have a self-perpetuating governing body and officers, and meets any of the following requirements:
  • Raffle: means a lottery in which each participant buys an entry for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random method and the winner is not required to be present to win. See Iowa Code 99B.1
  • week: means seven consecutive days. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • year: means twelve consecutive months. See Iowa Code 4.1
2.
a.The license fee for a two-year qualified organization license is one hundred fifty dollars.
b.An applicant for a license under this subsection shall be a qualified organization that has been in existence for at least five years, or is a local chapter or an affiliate of a national tax-exempt organization that has been in existence for at least two years and has provided written authorization from the national organization to the department. The national tax-exempt organization shall be exempt from federal income taxes as described in section 99B.1, subsection 26, paragraph “a”, and have been in existence at least five years.
c.A qualified organization issued a two-year qualified organization license may conduct the following activities:
(1)Unlimited games of skill or games of chance except for bingo.
(2)An unlimited number of very small raffles and an unlimited number of small raffles, including electronic raffles.
(3)One large raffle, including an electronic raffle, each calendar year during the two-year period, subject to the requirements of section 99B.24.
(4)Up to three bingo occasions per week and up to fifteen bingo occasions per month.
(5)One game night each calendar year during the two-year period, subject to the requirements of section 99B.26.
3.
a.The license fee for a one-year qualified organization raffle license is one hundred fifty dollars.
b.A qualified organization issued a one-year qualified organization raffle license may conduct the following activities:
(1)An unlimited number of very small raffles and an unlimited number of small raffles.
(2)Up to eight large raffles with each large raffle conducted in a different county during the one-year period, subject to the requirements of section 99B.24.
(3)One game night during the one-year period, subject to the requirements of section 99B.26.
4.
One hundred eighty-day qualified organization raffle license.
Application
a.The license fee for a one hundred eighty-day qualified organization raffle license is seventy-five dollars.
b.A qualified organization issued a one hundred eighty-day qualified organization raffle license may conduct the following activities:
(1)An unlimited number of very small raffles and an unlimited number of small raffles.
(2)One large raffle during the period of one hundred eighty days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.24.
(3)One game night during the period of one hundred eighty days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.26.
5.
a.The license fee for a ninety-day qualified organization raffle license is forty dollars.
b.A qualified organization issued a ninety-day qualified organization raffle license may conduct the following activities:
(1)An unlimited number of very small raffles and an unlimited number of small raffles.
(2)One large raffle during the period of ninety days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.24.
(3)One game night during the period of ninety days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.26.
6.
a.The license fee for a fourteen-day qualified organization license is fifteen dollars.
b.A qualified organization issued a fourteen-day qualified organization license may conduct the following activities:
(1)Unlimited games of skill or games of chance except for bingo.
(2)An unlimited number of very small raffles and an unlimited number of small raffles.
(3)One large raffle during the period of fourteen days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.24.
(4)Two bingo occasions during the period of fourteen days with no limit on the number of bingo games or the number of hours played during each designated bingo day. Bingo occasions conducted pursuant to a fourteen-day qualified organization license do not count toward the fifteen bingo occasions per month authorized for a two-year qualified organization license.
(5)One game night during the period of fourteen days, subject to the requirements of section 99B.26.
7.

A school district or a public or nonpublic school may be issued a qualified organization license under this section subject to the following additional restrictions:

a.The application for a license shall be authorized by the board of directors of a school district for public schools within that district, or the policymaking body of a nonpublic school for a nonpublic school.
b.Activities authorized by the license may be held at bona fide school functions such as carnivals, fall festivals, bazaars, and similar events.
c.Each school shall obtain a license pursuant to this section prior to permitting the games or activities on the premises of that school.
d.The board of directors of a public school district may also be issued a license under this section. A board of directors of a public school district shall not spend or authorize the expenditure of public funds for the purpose of purchasing a license.
e.Upon written approval by the board of directors of a school district for public schools within that district or the policymaking body of a nonpublic school, the license may be used by any school group or parent support group in the district or at the nonpublic school to conduct activities authorized by this section. The board of directors or policymaking body shall not authorize a school group or parent support group to use the license to conduct more than two events in a calendar year.
8.
Qualified organizations – miscellaneous provisions.

A political party or party organization may contract with other qualified organizations to conduct the games of skill, games of chance, and raffles which may lawfully be conducted by the political party or party organization. A licensed qualified organization may promote the games of skill, games of chance, and raffles which it may lawfully conduct.

NOTICE: The DIA website is available only for filing an online annual gambling report. If you want to apply for a social or charitable gambling license, you will need to fill out a paper application. Please download the appropriate application below and mail the completed packet including payment to our office.

You may obtain a paper copy of the annual gambling report by contacting our office either by phone at 515.281.6848 or by email at scg@dia.iowa.gov. This report is due on Jan. 31 each year and covers the previous calendar year. A notice is mailed in early January each year to all nonprofit organizations that had a license at any point during the reporting period. The notice includes instructions on where and how to complete the annual report.

The Social and Charitable Gambling Unit administers Iowa Code Chapter 99B, which regulates games of skill or chance, raffles, bingo, social gambling and amusement devices. Qualified organizations may obtain a social or charitable gambling license to conduct fund-raising activities benefiting educational, civic, public, charitable, patriotic, or religious purposes.

Sales Tax Information

Gambling receipts are subject to Iowa sales tax, even for nonprofit organizations. All taxes are payable to the Iowa Department of Revenue, and should not be submitted to DIA. More information about taxes on gambling receipts can be found on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Types of Gambling Licenses

In order to conduct charitable gambling activities, a nonprofit organization will first need to obtain a Charitable Gambling License. The Charitable Gambling License applications describe the various types of gambling activity that are permitted by the licensees. The only gambling activities authorized under these licenses are bingo, raffles, and games of skill and chance.

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion and sale of tickets. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

The type of license you need will depend on the period of time for which you plan to conduct gambling activity in your organization.

  • Qualified Organization License, 14-Day($15)
  • Qualified Organization License, 90-Day($40)
  • Qualified Organization License, 180-Day($75)
  • Qualified Organization License, One-Year($150)
  • Qualified Organization License, Two-Year($150)
  • Bingo at a Fair or Festival License($50)
  • Very Large Raffle License ($100)
License
Type/Gambling
Activity Permitted		Two-Year
Qualified
Organization*		One-Year
Qualified
Organization		180-Day
Qualified
Organization		90-Day
Qualified
Organization		14-Day
Qualified
Organization		Bingo at a
Fair or
Festival
BingoThree occasions per
week/15 occasions
per month		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Two total
occasions		One occasion
per day for
length of event
Games of
Skill & Chance		Unlimited
carnival-style
games		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Unlimited
carnival-style
games		Not
allowed
Game NightOne per
calendar
year		One per
calendar year		One per
calendar
year		One per
calendar
year		One per
calendar
year		Not
allowed
Very Small/
Small Raffles		UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedNot
allowed
Large RafflesOne per
calendar
year		Eight per license
period w/each
raffle conducted in a
different county		One per
calendar
year		One per
calendar
year		One per
calendar
year		Not
allowed
Very Large
Raffles**		One per calendar
year w/additional Very
Large Raffle License		One per calendar
year w/additional Very
Large Raffle License		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed
Electronic RafflesOne small raffle
per day; One large
raffle per calendar year		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed		Not
allowed


*An organization requesting a Two-Year Qualified Organization License must have been in existence for at least five years.
**In addition to a One-Year or Two-Year Qualified Organization License, organizations wishing to conduct a Very Large Raffle will need to complete a separate Very Large Raffle License Application.

Definitions

  1. Bingo Conducted at a Fair or Community Festival – License that allows bingo to be conducted for the duration of a fair or community festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group. Bingo occasions held under this license shall not be counted in determining whether a qualified organization has conducted the maximum three occasions per week or 15 occasions per month.
  2. Community Festival – A festival of no more than six consecutive days in length held by a community group.
  3. Community Group – An Iowa nonprofit, tax-exempt organization which is open to the general public and established for the promotion and development of the arts, history, culture, ethnicity, historical preservation, tourism, economic development, festivals or municipal libraries. “Community group” does not include a school, college, university, political party, labor union, fraternal organization, church, convention or association of churches or organizations operated primarily for religious purposes, or which are operated, supervised, controlled or principally supported by a church, convention of association of churches.
  4. Games of Skill and Chance – Includes but not limited to carnival-style games. They do not include casino-style games (See Game Night).
  5. Game Night – An event at which casino-style games may be conducted, in addition to games of skill and games of chance, within one consecutive 24-hour period.
  6. Raffle – A lottery in which each participant buys an entry for a chance at a prize with the winner determined by a random method and the winner is not required to be present to win. For raffles, the license duration must include your advertising, ticket sales, and drawing of the winner(s). A combination of licenses may be used to obtain the requested length of time.
  7. Very Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or merchandise prizes is $1,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $1,000 or less, or the total value of donated merchandise prizes is $5,000 or less and the value of all entries sold is $5,000 or less.
  8. Small Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $1,000 but not more than $10,000.
  9. Large Raffle – A raffle whether the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $10,000 but not more than $100,000.
  10. Very Large Raffle – A raffle where the total value of cash and/or prizes is more than $100,000 but not more than $200,000 or if the prize is real property.

Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments

Authorizes small stakes card and parlor games between individuals (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). Additionally, this license allows the establishment to conduct sports betting pools.

Social

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

  • License duration: Two years
  • Cost: $150

Access the Social Gambling License Application.

Social Gambling License for Public Place, No Alcohol Allowed

Authorizes patrons to socially gamble amongst themselves in the licensed establishment on small stakes card and parlor games (i.e., euchre, hearts, pitch, pinochle, gin rummy, poker, cribbage, pepper, darts, and billiards). This license does not allow sports betting pools.

A license must be issued by DIA before gambling takes place, including the promotion. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

  • License duration: Two years
  • Cost: $100

The following activities are NOT permissible under this license:

  • Raffles
  • Bingo
  • Poker tournaments
  • Poker runs
  • Roll-of-the-day
  • Bookmaking
  • Casino-style games other than poker

Access the Social Gambling License Application.

Iowa Code section 99B.6(7) permits the those with a two-year Social Gambling License for Beer and Liquor Establishments (see tab above) to conduct a sports betting pool under certain circumstances. There is no additional cost to conduct a sports-betting pool.

Iowa Social Gambling License Application Download

Contact us with questions.

'Amusement concession' means a game of skill or game of chance with an instant win possibility where, if the participant completes a task, the participant wins a prize. 'Amusement concession' includes but is not limited to carnival-style games that are conducted by a person for profit. 'Amusement concession' does not include casino-style games or amusement devices required to be registered pursuant to section 99B.53.

Games may only be conducted after a license has been issued by DIA. Applications should be received by DIA at least 30 days prior to the intended start of activity.

Iowa Gambling License For Nonprofits

  • License duration: One year
  • Cost: $50 per game

Gambling License In Iowa

View or download the Amusement Concession License Application.