Pull tabs are legal in Maryland as a form of charitable gaming, though most people here know them by other names. In Maryland the paper tickets are commonly called tip jars or instant bingo, and they are a long-standing fundraising tool for nonprofits. What makes Maryland unusual is that charitable gaming is regulated mainly at the county level, so who may run tip jars, how many events are allowed, and the exact fees all depend on the county. This is separate from the state lottery, the commercial casinos, and the small number of commercial electronic instant bingo halls.
Who can run pull tabs in Maryland
Qualified nonprofit organizations are the primary groups that may conduct pull tabs, tip jars, and instant bingo in Maryland, and they must be licensed. Eligible groups generally include bona fide charitable, educational, fraternal, veterans, and religious organizations, as well as volunteer fire and rescue companies. Many of these hold federal tax-exempt status, for example as 501(c)(3) charities or other exempt categories.
Licensing is handled locally. Counties such as Frederick and Washington issue the permits through their own gaming or grant-management offices, and each county sets its own rules on the types of games allowed, the number of events, license terms, and fees. Some Western Maryland counties, notably Washington County, also license commercial taverns and other operators to sell tip jars, with a share of the proceeds directed to a county charitable gaming fund. Because there is no single statewide charitable-gaming licensing agency, an organization must apply in the county where it wants to operate.
How tip jars work and where you find them
A pull tab, or tip jar ticket, is a small paper card with hidden symbols behind perforated windows. You buy a ticket for a fixed price, peel or tear open the tabs, and win if your symbols match a posted prize combination. It is a game of chance, and the proceeds are meant to benefit the sponsoring nonprofit or a charitable cause.
In Maryland these tickets are most often sold at veterans posts, fraternal clubs, social clubs, volunteer fire halls, and licensed taverns that partner with charitable programs, especially across Western Maryland where the tip jar tradition is strongest. Counties may also allow related games such as raffles, paddle wheels, and traditional bingo under the same charitable gaming permits.
Electronic games and notable rules
Charitable pull tabs in Maryland are paper. Electronic instant bingo machines do exist, but state law limits commercial electronic instant bingo to 13 grandfathered sites located in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties, and no new applications for those facilities are accepted. Those commercial machines are overseen by Maryland Lottery and Gaming and are not part of the general charitable program.
There is a minimum age to play, generally 18, and minors are barred from playing instant bingo, though the exact age can vary by county. The Comptroller of Maryland provides statewide enforcement support for gaming and collects the admissions and amusement tax on electronic tip jars and bingo. Because rules differ from county to county, the safest step is to confirm the details with the county office where the game is offered.
Where can I play pull tabs in Maryland?
Pull tabs, known locally as tip jars, are typically found at VFW and American Legion posts, fraternal and social clubs, volunteer fire halls, and licensed taverns tied to charitable gaming programs, mostly across Western and central Maryland.
Find a spot194 places to play pull tabs in Maryland