About Charity Bingo
Charity Bingo is one of the only forms of legal gambling in Georgia. Other than the lottery, raffles, and Charity Bingo, Gambling is prohibited in the State of Georgia. Each week, charity organizations across the state host Bingo events to raise money for civic engagement and charitable causes.
Eligible nonprofits across the state are encouraged to apply.
Applying For A Permit
Comprehensive Information for Obtaining a Bingo Permit
One-Time permits are available for schools, religious organizations, and other eligible nonprofits. If your organization would like to obtain a One-Time permit, please submit a letter on organization letterhead, listing the date, time, location, and purpose of the event via our Contact Charity Bingo form >>
To determine if your nonprofit is eligible for a Bingo License, please see the Georgia Pre-license Bingo Checklist, and familiarize yourself with the Rules and Regulations of Charity Bingo.
To apply or renew a license, visit GeorgiaSecretaryofState.net, the Agency Shopify account. There you can purchase an annual license and download your application or renewal form.
Please ensure you’ve familiarized yourself with the Georgia Pre-license Bingo Checklist, and familiarize yourself with the Rules and Regulations of Charity Bingo. All incomplete applications will be denied.
To view these forms in advance without submitting payment, you may download the relevant PDF here:
- Download an Application for a New License >>
- Download a License Renewal Application >>
All completed documents can be submitted via our Contact Charity Bingo form >>
Reporting
Every year, licensed organizations are required to submit their annual compliance form, as well as annual bingo financials prepared by a Certified Public Accountant.
Download a PDF of the Instructions for SOS Bingo Annual Report >>
All completed documents can be submitted via our Contact Charity Bingo form >>
Bingo Workers
Prospective Bingo Workers must submit a Personal History and Background Form, and complete fingerprinting through Georgia Applicant Processing Service (GAPS), provided by Gemalto. Please view these documents here.
Effective January 1, 2009: to be approved for a bingo license or a bingo worker/officer, you must follow the instructions in each of the steps below to have your fingerprint background check processed through the Georgia Applicant Processing Services (GAPS). If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the office of Charity Bingo via our Contact Charity Bingo form >>
Step 1:
From an Internet browser, type in https://www.aps.gemalto.com to access the Georgia Applicant Processing Services (GAPS) website. Click Georgia.
Step 2:
Next, click on Applicant Registration. Another browser page will open. Then click Secretary of State. Then click Charity Bingo. The Non-Criminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights information will come up. Please check the box indicating you have read the information and click continue.
Step 3:
You will then be brought to the applicant registration page. This will begin your registration & payment process. For the reason, please select Bingo-GA Check Only.
The fields listed under “Transaction Information” should be completed as follows:
“Reason”: Select “Bingo – GA Check Only” from the drop box.
“Payment”: Select “Credit Card”
Step 4:
Print this screen or write down the Registration ID number and provide the Registration ID number to the operator at the GAPS Print location. The operator at the GAPS Print location will pull up the registration information by the Registration ID or by the Social Security Number.
More Information how to find the GAPS Print locations can be found in Step 5.
Step 5:
To locate a fingerprinting location: From an Internet browser, type in https://www.aps.gemalto.com to access the Georgia Applicant Processing Services (GAPS) website. Click on Find A Fingerprint Location on the left side of the page.
Step 6:
When the map of Georgia is displayed, click on the number in the “red” circle that is in the county closest for you to get fingerprinted. On the next screen, under Company, click on the Company Name next to the number you selected. The screen that comes up will give you the address for the company and, in most cases, the phone number will also be provided. Prior to traveling to the Print Location, you should verify the GAPS Print Location is still providing the fingerprinting services and the hours of operation are accurate.
Step 7: (Wait)
Once you have been fingerprinted, the State results should be available for the SOS representative to review within 24 - 48 hours. After reviewing the results of the applicant’s background investigation, the GBI Bingo Unit will provide the Bingo organization with the agency’s decision concerning the organization’s Bingo license or the applicant’s ability to be a Bingo worker/officer.
The Cogent Systems - GAPS helpdesk can be reached at 1-888-439-2512.
Bingo organizations are still responsible for submitting the Bingo Personal History & Background form and photograph of each applicant to the Secretary of State. A decision on approving or disapproving the applicant to be an officer or worker for the bingo organization cannot be made until all information on the form and information supplied by the GAP background have been reviewed. Please follow up with our office on any pending applicant status.
Rules and Regulations
Download a PDF of the Rules and Regulations of Charity Bingo >>
Contact Us
Office of Charity Bingo
Georgia Secretary of State
214 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Contact
Related Resources
- Online Resource Georgia Pre-License Bingo Checklist
- Online Resource Charity Bingo Rules and Regulations
- Online Resource Application for New License
- Online Resource Renewal License Application
- Online Resource Charity Bingo Compliance Form
- Online Resource Annual Report Form