Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Go slow with bingo

Certain tax-exempt organizations are authorized by state law and local ordinance to raise money from bingo, provided that the following criteria are met: 1) the proceeds must be used only for charitable purposes; 2) the games must be conducted by volunteer members of the organization; 3) no salaries can be paid with bingo proceeds; 4) there can be no commingling of bingo money with any other funds (the charity must set up a special bank account just for bingo proceeds – separate from its general operating fund); 5) the organization conducting the bingo game must hold a valid license/permit issued by the city or county in which the bingo is played; and 6) specific rules regarding the location of bingo games must be followed.

Charity Poker Nights

NEW LAW FOR CHARITY“POKER NIGHT” FUNDRAISERS

Beginning January 1, 2007, a new California law allows eligible nonprofit organizations that have been in existence for at least three years and register with the Division of Gambling Control to hold “charity poker night” fundraisers under specified circumstances. To learn more about the permitted controlled games, see
Division of Gambling Control.

AG registration change

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL AG REGISTRATION

Nonprofit organizations registering for the first time with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts must now complete a new form, the CT-1, and provide the materials and information required by newly amended section 300 of the Attorney General’s regulations. For a summary of the principal documents and information needed to register, check the initial registration guide. The new initial registration requirements became effective January 10, 2008.