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
Of Note
Board Orders and Settlement Agreement terms apply and may affect eligibility.
Valid Period and Fees
The annual endorsement fee is $300.
