Organising a small-scale game of chance

Would you like to organise an event where money or prizes can be won? And is there no way for the player to influence whether they win anything? That is a game of chance. You need a licence to run a game of chance. Unless you’re playing with people who know each other. Or if participation is free, but in that case there are certain conditions.

 
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If you meet the conditions, you can apply for a licence or submit a notification via the ‘Apply online’ button. You will receive a letter informing you whether you have been granted a licence or confirming your notification of a small-scale game of chance.

If you wish to organise a small game of chance during an event, you can indicate this in your application for an events licence. You do not need to submit a separate application for a small game of chance.

Lottery

Would you like to organise a lottery where you charge for tickets? If so, you will need a licence.

The conditions for obtaining a lottery licence are:

  • The proceeds are intended solely for the public good, not for any individual or commercial interest.
  • At least 40% of the proceeds from the lottery goes towards the purpose for which the licence was granted.
  • The prizes are worth no more than €4,500.00.

If the prices and premiums exceed €4,500.00, you will need a licence from the Gambling Authority required.

Bingo or wheel of fortune

Would you like to organise a game of bingo or a wheel of fortune at your venue? If there are no prizes to be won and/or the event takes place within a private group – for example, amongst family, friends or in a care home – then you are free to organise it.

Are you organising a bingo night?

  • on location, in a small room with the players present;
  • with prizes to be won;
  • which is not held in private

you must meet the following conditions:

  • As the organiser, you must be a Dutch association that has been in existence for at least 3 years
  • Your association’s articles of association set out a clearly defined purpose, and that purpose is not to organise games of chance
  • you donate the proceeds to a charity or an organisation
  • The prize money per series or set does not exceed 400.00 euros
  • The value of the prizes or rewards to be won at each event does not exceed 1,550.00 euros
  • The proceeds are intended solely for the public good, not for any personal gain.

Is a catering establishment allowed to organise a game of chance?

Article 14 of the Alcohol Act states that it is not permitted to offer games of chance, such as bingo, in hospitality venues, with the exception of gaming machines, for which a licence is required.

Further information on games of chance – for example, on organising an online game of chance, a promotional game of chance, or a football or tour pool – can be found at the the Gambling Authority’s website.

A licence to organise a lottery costs €81.56. A notification for a bingo game or a wheel of fortune is free of charge.

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