In Michigan, the game most people call pull tabs goes by the official name "charity game tickets," and it is a well established part of the state's charitable gaming system. These paper break-open tickets are legal when sold by licensed nonprofit organizations to raise money for their causes. The program is run by the Charitable Gaming Division of the Michigan Lottery under the Traxler-McCauley-Law-Bowman Bingo Act, which has authorized this kind of nonprofit fundraising in Michigan for decades.
Who can run pull tabs in Michigan
Only licensed nonprofit groups may sell charity game tickets in Michigan. The law limits this to qualified organizations, which include bona fide religious, educational, service, senior citizen, fraternal, and veterans organizations. To qualify, a group generally must have operated in Michigan continuously for at least five years or hold tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) of the federal tax code. Political committees are specifically excluded.
Qualified organizations obtain their tickets through the state Bureau or a licensed supplier, and the tickets themselves must be pre-approved. A share of the proceeds goes back to the state, and the rest supports the nonprofit and its prize payouts, which keeps the activity tied to genuine charitable fundraising rather than private profit.
How they work and where you find them
A charity game ticket is a small cardboard card with perforated windows. You pull open the tabs to reveal symbols or numbers, and matching combinations win preset cash or merchandise prizes. Because winners are already determined when the tickets are printed, there is nothing to scratch off and no drawing to wait for.
In Michigan you typically find these tickets at bingo events and at nonprofit and members clubs. Common spots include veterans posts such as VFW and American Legion halls, fraternal clubs, festivals, fairgrounds, and other licensed charitable gaming locations.
Rules to know
Charity game tickets may only be sold to people 18 years of age or older. Adults may buy tickets as gifts for minors, and a minor may redeem a prize, but the sale itself is limited to adults.
Michigan's law authorizes physical, paper break-open tickets. It does not authorize electronic pull tab devices or tablet based e-tabs for charitable gaming, so the tickets you will encounter in Michigan are the traditional paper kind. Note that charity game tickets are regulated by the Charitable Gaming Division of the Michigan Lottery, which is separate from the Michigan Gaming Control Board that oversees casinos and millionaire party events.
Where can I play pull tabs in Michigan?
You will usually find charity game tickets at bingo events, VFW and American Legion posts, fraternal and members clubs, and festivals or fairgrounds run by licensed nonprofits.
Find a spot500 places to play pull tabs in Michigan