A Guide to Gambling Laws in Kansas

The state permits licensed charitable bingo.

The Department of Revenue requires organizations conducting call bingo or instant bingo to obtain the appropriate bingo organization license.

The state also regulates matters such as:

• Licensing
• Bingo premises
• Distributors
• Recordkeeping
• Prizes
• Use of gaming proceeds
• Reporting
• Gaming equipment

As of July 1, 2025, the Department of Revenue lists the prize limit for regular call-bingo games in a session as $1,620.

Kansas voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing qualifying nonprofit organizations to conduct charitable raffles.

The authorization appears in Article 15, Section 3d of the State's Constitution and is implemented through the KS Charitable Gaming Act.

A raffle generally involves participants purchasing tickets that provide equal opportunities to win a prize, with the winner determined through a random drawing.

Only qualifying nonprofit religious, charitable, fraternal, educational and veterans organizations can use this charitable-raffle authorization.

The state places several important restrictions on raffles.

For example, qualifying organizations cannot use an electronic gaming or vending machine to sell raffle tickets or conduct the raffle. They also cannot hire a professional raffle or lottery vendor to manage or operate the raffle.

K.S.A. 75-5185 provides administrative enforcement authority for violations of the KS Charitable Gaming Act or applicable regulations.

The Charitable Gaming Administrator can impose a civil fine of up to $500 for each violation.

Other enforcement measures can include licensing consequences.

Criminal gambling statutes may also apply when an activity does not qualify for the charitable-gaming exception at all.

That distinction is important. A violation committed while conducting an otherwise authorized charitable raffle may present a regulatory issue, while operating a gambling activity that was never authorized as charitable gaming can potentially raise broader criminal gambling concerns.