Overview
As of October 1, 2025, On-Premises Retailers in DC are required to hold a Commercial Bingo Endorsement from ABCA, in addition to a Commercial Bingo License from the Office of Lottery and Gaming, to be eligible to offer commercial bingo in the District. This endorsement will allow on-premises retailer license holders to offer commercial Bingo, including paper formats or electronic representations.
Commercial Bingo, as defined by DC Code § 36-601.22 as a form of gambling in which the winning chances are determined by a random drawing of a subset of numbered objects among a total set of 75 objects, consecutively numbered from 1 to 75; and the card, or cards, held by the player, which card or cards is or are sold, rented, or used only at the time of the gambling activity, and contains 5 rows of 5 spaces each, each space imprinted with a number between 1 and 75 inclusive, except the central space which is marked “FREE.”
Eligibility
On-Premises Retailer License holders
To Apply
- Current Licensees: Those who already hold an alcohol license must submit a Commercial Bingo Endorsement Application.
- Prospective Licensees: New alcohol license applicants can include the endorsement request in their initial Alcohol License Application.
- Obtain a Commercial Bingo License from the Office of Lottery and Gaming
Valid Period and Fees
The annual endorsement fee is $300.
Of Note
Board Orders and Settlement Agreement terms apply and may affect eligibility.
