Rhode Island permits charitable pull tabs, but it runs them differently from many other states. Instead of licensing groups to buy tickets from private distributors, the Rhode Island Lottery itself sells a special pull-tab game directly to registered nonprofit organizations for fundraising. State law declares these pull-tab lottery tickets legal, and only charitable not-for-profit groups may take part.
Who can run charitable pull tabs
Only charitable not-for-profit organizations that are registered with the Rhode Island Secretary of State may apply to sell pull tabs. State law lists the eligible groups as religious, fraternal, civic, educational, veterans', or charitable organizations. The organization applies directly to the Lottery and keeps the net proceeds to support its charitable mission.
The Rhode Island Lottery reviews the applications and can require criminal background checks before approving an organization. This is separate from bingo, raffles, and other games of chance, which registered charities run under the oversight of the Rhode Island State Police Charitable Gaming Unit.
How they work and where you find them
A qualifying nonprofit orders the Lottery's pull-tab game, then sells the paper tickets at its own events and functions. The current offering is a fifty-cent Baseball pull tab that gives players an instant chance to win up to 150 dollars while the group raises funds. Each ticket stays sealed to hide the result until it is sold.
Because these are a Lottery fundraising product rather than a standard retail scratch ticket, you generally will not see them at ordinary convenience stores. They show up instead at nonprofit gatherings, veterans and fraternal club functions, and other charitable events.
Rules and other details
Players must be at least 18 years old, which is the standard minimum age for Rhode Island Lottery games, and all net proceeds must go toward the organization's charitable purpose.
Rhode Island's charitable pull-tab program is paper based. The state has not authorized electronic tablet pull tabs (e-tabs) for charitable fundraising, so nonprofits use physical tickets. Anyone planning a fundraiser should confirm the current forms and rules directly with the Rhode Island Lottery.
Where can I play pull tabs in Rhode Island?
You will typically find charitable pull tabs at registered nonprofit fundraisers, veterans and fraternal club functions such as VFW and American Legion posts, and other charitable events, rather than at ordinary retail stores.
Find a spot66 places to play pull tabs in Rhode Island