Idaho Charitable Bingo and Raffle Licensing Law

Idaho Code Title 67, Chapter 77, 'Bingo and Raffles,' is the enabling legislation the constitution requires. ' A Bingo-Raffle Advisory Board (§§ 67-7703 to 67-7706), appointed to represent licensees, vendors, and the public, advises the Idaho State Lottery Commission, which administers the program. Section 67-7707 makes bingo lawful only 'in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the state lottery commission,' and bars anyone under 18 from playing where a cash prize is offered or a merchandise prize exceeds $25. Section 67-7710 does the same for raffles and duck races: an organization may hold no more than 12 raffle drawings a year (schools are exempt from the cap), cash prizes are capped at $1,000 unless the prize is merchandise or covered by duck-race insurance, and 'no less than eighty percent (80%) of the net proceeds' must go back to the organization's charitable, religious, educational, or civic purpose.

Raffle revenue over $200,000 a year triggers a mandatory independent audit filed with the commission. Every organization must hold a state lottery license under § 67-7711, renewed annually under a three-tier fee schedule in § 67-7712: $100 for gross revenue up to $25,000, $200 up to $75,000, and $300 above that, with new organizations lacking revenue history also paying $100. Electronic bingo devices and vendor/distributor operations (§§ 67-7715 to 67-7719) each require separate commission approval before use.

The State Lottery Commission can deny, suspend, or revoke a license and assess a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation against any organization, officer, or individual who runs bingo or a raffle outside Chapter 77 or commission rule: including unlicensed operation, exceeding the 12-drawing or $1,000 prize caps, or diverting proceeds from charitable use. A licensee facing denial or revocation gets 15 calendar days' written notice and can demand a hearing, which the commission must hold within 21 days.