Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Nevada Statewide Rule

Nevada Charitable Gaming Registration and Prize Limits

Significant RestrictionsApplies statewide across Nevada (2026)

Key Facts

Licensing authority
Nevada Gaming Control Board (the Chair)
Annual prize cap
$500,000; $2,000,000 for qualified pro sports orgs
Vendor fee cap
8% of gross proceeds under NRS 462.200
Small-org registration fee
Capped at $10/year under $100,000 in prizes
Net proceeds rule
Must benefit charitable/nonprofit activities in Nevada only
Unregistered operation penalty
Gross misdemeanor under NRS 462.250
Governing law
NRS Chapter 462 and Gaming Regulation 4A
Last verified: August 21, 2026

Summary

Nevada regulates charitable bingo, poker, blackjack and raffle-style lotteries entirely through NRS Chapter 462, administered by the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Only a "qualified organization", a certified nonprofit or IRS-recognized charity, may hold one, and only after the Board's Chair registers it under NRS 462.150. Annual prize payouts are capped at $500,000, or $2 million for organizations affiliated with a major pro sports franchise playing in Nevada.

A qualified organization may operate a charitable lottery if: (a) The qualified organization is registered by the Chair to operate a charitable lottery pursuant to NRS 462.150; and (b) The total value of all the prizes offered in charitable lotteries operated by the qualified organization during the same calendar year, including, without limitation, the value of all unclaimed cash prizes: (1) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (2), does not exceed $500,000; or (2) If the qualified organization is a qualified professional sports organization, does not exceed $2,000,000.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Nevada's charitable gaming law traces to a 1991 act and was substantially rewritten in 2019 to streamline approvals. Chapter 462 covers two categories: a "charitable lottery" (raffle-style ticket draws) and a "charitable game" (bingo, poker or blackjack), defined at NRS 462.064 and 462.061. Only a "qualified organization" may run either, an alumni, charitable, civic, educational, fraternal, patriotic, religious or veterans' group, or a state/local bar association, that is either certified as nonprofit by the Department of Taxation or the IRS, or registered with the Secretary of State as a charitable solicitor (NRS 462.125).

Before any event, the organization must register with the Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board under NRS 462.150, filing the application detailed in NRS 462.160: officers, vendors, prize descriptions, projected expenses, ticket-sale controls and the intended use of net proceeds. The Chair registers the group only if the filing is complete, the prizes are legal, and registration "would not be contrary to the public interest", a revocable privilege, not a right. Organizations distributing under $100,000 in prizes annually register yearly and pay no more than a $10 fee (NRS 462.160(3)); larger operators file the Board's ENF-115 form and pay Commission-set fees.

Once registered, an organization's total annual prize payouts cannot exceed $500,000, or $2,000,000 if it is affiliated and co-branded with an MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL or MLS franchise playing the majority of its home games in Nevada (NRS 462.140). Under NRS 462.200, a hired vendor cannot be paid more than 8% of gross proceeds, and net proceeds must be spent only on charitable or nonprofit activities inside Nevada. The Board can demand an annual financial accounting of expenses and proceeds use at any time.

Violations & Penalties

Running a lottery, raffle or game of chance without Chapter 462 registration is a gross misdemeanor under NRS 462.250, as is selling tickets for one (NRS 462.260) or knowingly letting a building be used to operate one (NRS 462.320). Registered organizations that miss a Board-ordered suitability filing within 30 days, or whose officers are found unsuitable, face registration revocation under NRS 462.170(3): ending their ability to run any future charitable lottery or game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to run a charitable bingo night or raffle in Nevada?
Only a "qualified organization" under NRS 462.125: an alumni, charitable, civic, educational, fraternal, patriotic, religious or veterans' group, or a bar association, certified nonprofit by the IRS or Nevada's Department of Taxation, or registered with the Secretary of State as a charitable solicitor. The group must then register with the Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board under NRS 462.150 before holding any event.
How much can a Nevada nonprofit give away in prizes each year?
NRS 462.140 caps total annual prize value at $500,000 per organization. The cap rises to $2,000,000 only for a qualified organization affiliated and co-branded with a professional MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL or MLS team that plays the majority of its home games in Nevada. Going over the cap takes the organization outside its registration and outside the chapter's legal protection.
Can a charity pay a company to run its raffle or bingo game?
Yes, but NRS 462.200 caps what that vendor can charge at 8% of the event's gross proceeds. Whatever remains after prizes, supplies, advertising and direct expenses counts as net proceeds, and the statute requires that money be spent only on charitable or nonprofit activities within Nevada: the Board can demand a financial report proving it.
What happens if an organization runs a raffle without registering first?
Operating any lottery, raffle or game of chance outside Chapter 462's registration process is a gross misdemeanor under NRS 462.250, and selling tickets for one is a separate gross misdemeanor under NRS 462.260. A property owner who knowingly lets space be used for an unregistered lottery faces the same charge under NRS 462.320.
Does a small nonprofit have to pay a big registration fee?
No. Under NRS 462.160(3), an organization giving away less than $100,000 in prizes during the calendar year registers annually with the Board, and Commission regulations cannot charge it more than $10 per year. Larger operators, and any qualified professional sports organization, pay Commission-set fees tied to the size of their prize pool.

Sources

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.