Smithtown, NY Gambling & Gaming: Charitable Bingo and Raffles (2026)

Chapter 105 of the Smithtown Town Code, first approved by voter referendum on October 7, 1958 and adopted as Chapter 7 of the 1964 Code, makes it unlawful for anyone other than a licensed 'authorized organization' to conduct bingo within Town limits (§ 105-3). An authorized organization is limited to bona fide religious, charitable or nonprofit veterans' and volunteer firefighter groups (§ 105-2). Applicants file a written, notarized application with the Town Clerk on the form prescribed by the State Lottery Control Commission, and the Town Board investigates each applicant's qualifications and the character of its officers before issuing a license (§§ 105-5, 105-6).

No single game may award a prize over $250, and the aggregate of all prizes given on one occasion cannot exceed $1,000 (§ 105-6). The license fee is $10 for each occasion on which games are conducted, plus a $15 fingerprint-search fee payable to the Town Clerk for a Division of Criminal Justice Services background check (§ 105-6). Bingo may not be held more than six days in any calendar month and cannot run in a room where alcoholic beverages are sold or served during play (§ 105-11).

(§ 105-10). Net proceeds must go exclusively to the organization's lawful charitable purposes, and hall rent may not be tied to a percentage of receipts (§ 105-4). Within 15 days of each event the licensee must file a verified financial statement with the Town Clerk itemizing receipts, expenses and how net profits were used (§ 105-12).