Poker Productions LLC

Getting Started in Charitable Gaming

To begin playing charitable games in Louisiana, you must:

1. Have been actively domiciled in Louisiana for two consecutive years immediately preceeding application.
2. Meet financial suitability.
3. Establish by-laws, articles of incorporation, a charter, etc. for your organization.
4. File with the Secretary of State.
5. File with the Internal Revenue Service for a 501(c) status. This is a tax-exempt status determined by the IRS for charitable organizations.
6. Locate and establish a place to play your games.
7. Submit an application for licensure to the Office.  

Important Notes to Remember

• All organization members and officers are subject to suitability requirements.
• A Member-In-Charge (MIC) must be present at each game. It is recommended that the organization have more than one MIC to share the duties.
• All organizations will be subject to inspections, audits, quarterly report reviews, etc

Louisiana State Licensing

Physical Address:
 Office of Charitable Gaming 8549 United Plaza Blvd., Ste. 301 Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(Behind the Archives Building on Archives Lane)
 

Mailing Address:
Office of Charitable Gaming P.O. Box 98502 Baton Rouge, LA 70884-9502

http://www.ocg.louisiana.gov/

Phone: 225-925-1835 or 1-800-562-9235
FAX: 225-925-7069

Once the Organization meets the requirments

Step 1 Open a “Charitable Gaming Account” Go to your bank and open a checking account. Your organizations name and the words "charitable gaming account" should be the name of the checking account. All gaming related funds you deposit or withdrawal should come from this account.

Step 2 Pick a date for your tournament. Pick a “dead date” Make sure nothing is going on that will draw people away for your event such as, Saints game, Local Fairs etc…Check community calendars. Call poker Productions to check availability.

Step 3 Pick a time for your tournament. By law, a session must be conducted within a time frame not to exceed six consecutive hours with a minimum of twelve hours between sessions. We recommend 6pm till 12am and then 2pm till 8pm.

Step 4 Pick a Venue for your tournament. The location should be easy to find, plenty of parking, a large space and you should be able to profit from your own concessions. The location must be licensed by the OCG as a Lessor. Secure a lease agreement THE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH LESSOR MUST INCLUDE ALL DATES AND TIMES OF SESSIONS. If the location is donated, the location may not need to be licensed(approval for the OCG is required) If alcohol is to be served during a Casino Night, the organization MUST receive a “Special Event Permit” from Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) prior to the activity. ACT is located at 8549 United Plaza Blvd., Suite 220, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809. Their phone is (225)925-4041.

Step 5 Secure a signed contact of a rental agreement with Poker Productions LLC

Step 6 Start the application process, fill out forms OCG2000 - Application to Conduct Charitable Gaming. Instructions are located on the form. Fill out form OCG2000E - Casino Night Session Schedule it is easy to fill out. All fee amounts are located on the form.

Step 7 Send in all forms to the OCG also include a sample ticket, Rules, A rental contract with Poker Productions LLC, A lease agreement with a lessor and proof that your gift cards can not be redeemed for cash.

Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline
1-877-770-7867

No Limit Charity Poker Tournament

New Idea for Fundraising

1. Fresh idea to give your community new interest in your fundraisers. (not the same old thing)
2. Can replace smaller fundraisers that take too much time and burn out your staff and donors.
3. Your target market is the general public, meaning you don’t have to keep asking the same people, business owners for donations.

How does a Texas Hold’em Tournament work or raise money for an organization?

1. The general public is invited to play in a 1 or 2 day tournament.
2. They pay to enter the tournament, and have options during the tournament to buy back in.
3. Usually food and beverage is sold and also acts a revenue stream.
4. Collectively, the money collected from players, from buyins, food, beverage will total “X” amount.
5. You pay out a prize structure and cost to run the tournament.
6. The difference is your profit off the tournament.

What role does an organization play in holding a

1. Once an organization has decided to hold this event, they must start the paper work process through the OCG office.
2. Two important decisions must also be made at this time: date of event and location.
3. Then get signed contract/rules from Poker Productions.
4. These items are submitted to the OCG office along with application for session/gaming event.
5. Once licensing is approved, the organization must start getting the word out to the community they are targeting.
6. The organization fulfills the role of filling the tournament with participants.
7. The organization also works registration at the beginning of the event when money is initially collected from the players.
8. The organization will also stay on floor during the event to collect more money from players who want to buy back into the tournament.
9. The organization will run concessions.

What role does Poker Productions play in holding a Texas Hold’em Tournament?

1. Poker Productions will hold “training day” prior to the event to coach the organization on how to conduct registration and rebuy process.
2. Poker Productions will bring equipment and staff to run tournament from start to finish.
3. Poker Productions will also supply sample templates of documents needs for tournament. (registration form, sample ticket, flyers, name tags, rebuy cards, seat assignment cards)