New Kid on the Block: Progressive Raffles

As we've reported in our last couple of newsletters, Colorado bingo/raffle licensees can start running specific types of progressive raffles as of January 1, 2014. The two types of allowable progressive raffles are Playing-Card Progressive Raffles and Members-Only Progressive Raffles. You can access our revised bingo/raffle law book or our progressive raffle fact sheet for more information.

Here are a few important provisions to keep in mind if you are running a progressive raffle:

1. Winners must be present to win in both playing-card and members-only progressive raffles.
2. You may not contribute more than 70% of gross ticket sales to the jackpot. The rest must go to your organization.
3. You can not run more than two progressive raffles at one time.
4. If your jackpot reaches $1,000 or more, your raffle tickets must meet the requirements listed in Rule 8.1.4. The only exception is if you are selling tickets solely to members of your organization.
5. You can not change ticket prices after initiating a progressive raffle.

As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about these new games. Feel free to write us at licensing@coloradosos.gov, or call us at (303) 894-2200.

Quarterly Data Points: Gross Revenues

Flat bingo and pulltabs. Rising raffles. That's the story for charitable gaming in Colorado over the past three years. As the graph above shows, bingo wagers have remained almost constant since 2011, dropping about 3% to $42.6 million in 2013. Pulltabs were remarkably flat at $57.6 million in both 2011 and 2013, though they fell slightly in 2012.

Raffles, on the other hand, showed a steady increase since 2011. Ticket sales rose over 20% from $12.3 million in that year to $14.8 million in 2013. While raffle tickets still represent only about 13% of total charitable gaming revenues, that share has risen steadily over the past several years.

You can find more information on the bingo/raffle financial reports page available on our website.

New Bingo/Raffle Team Member: Lynn Waring

We are pleased to introduce you to the newest member of the Secretary of State's Bingo/Raffle team: Lynn Waring. Here's a little bit about Lynn in her own words: "I’m excited to be a part of the bingo/raffle team!  My previous experience includes over two years at the Secretary of State's Service Center, where I helped a wide range of customers solve issues and answer questions. Prior to that, I spent 11 years at the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder and Public Trustee offices.  I live in Arvada with my husband, and often get a chance to babysit my two grandchildren." Welcome, Lynn!

Games Manager Training

Remember, your organization must have at least one certified Games Manager in order to run charitable games. We continue to offer in-person and online Games Manager training courses.

Sign up for the online eLearning course on our website.

For in-person classes, visit our Games Manager Training page and follow the instructions to sign up. See table below for the current schedule.

You can also sign up to host a Games Manager training course. Follow this link to provide us with a few details about you and your organization, and host a class soon.