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Since September of 2004, the Ohio Lottery Commission has administered and monitored Charitable Bingo licensing in the State of Ohio.

The Lottery’s Office of Charitable Gaming has four basic responsibilities:

1. Licensing and Renewals of existing organizations.

• A comprehensive database to track licenses and license applications. In the future interested applicants will be able to apply on-line.
• Approximately 2,000 organizations have been issued licenses for charitable gaming purposes.
• New applicants will apply directly with the Ohio Lottery Commission -- as long as they are registered as a charitable organization with the Attorney General’s office.

2. Site Visits.

• The Ohio Lottery Commission will conduct site visits with license holders.
• Visits will include a review of records to determine compliance with record-keeping requirements.
• Verification of the source of a licensee’s bingo supplies will be made, ensuring that supplies have been purchased from licensed suppliers.

3. Auditing of Licensees.

• This involves extensive auditing of licensees’ financial records and verification that contributions are being properly distributed to charitable organizations.

4. Settlement or Revocation.

• Should a licensee fail to remain in good standing, the Ohio Lottery will conduct a conference and recommend settlement terms to correct outstanding issues or revocation of the license.
• The Lottery serves in an advisory capacity to the Attorney General’s office. Authority to implement the recommendation rests solely with the Attorney General’s office.
  

Applications are also available by calling the Ohio Lottery Commission at (216) 774-5681.