TRENTON, N.J. – Charitable organizations, including veterans groups, volunteer fire and rescue squads, churches and other non-profits, would be allowed to host remote bingos and raffles under a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Parker Space and advanced by the Assembly today.
“Our civic organizations and community non-profits support a wide range of services that many residents count on, but their fundraising abilities have been severely impacted because of Covid restrictions,” said Space (R-Sussex). “Moving bingos and raffles online is a win-win for all the parties involved. People can still participate in the activities they enjoyed prior to the pandemic and charitable organizations can raise the revenue they need to support their causes.”
Space’s bill (A4297) permits authorized organizations and associations to raise money through virtual bingos and remote raffles with participants in the state. Tickets for raffles can also be sold remotely to purchasers in New Jersey.
The state’s Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission oversees bingos and raffles conducted by approximately 12,000 charitable, educational, religious, patriotic, public-spirited organizations and senior citizen associations and organizations. The commission estimates that charitable gaming is an $85 million-a-year industry.