Pull Tabs for Carnivals and Fairs — Complete Guide
Pull tabs are a natural fit for carnivals, county fairs, community festivals and outdoor events. They are easy to set up, require no electricity or special equipment, and the instant excitement of pulling a tab and finding out whether you have won is perfectly suited to the fast-paced, high-energy atmosphere of a fair or carnival midway.
Whether you are organizing a church carnival, a school fair, a community festival or a large county fair, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about adding pull tabs to your event.
Ready to stock up? Browse our full selection of pull tab games, seal card games and pull chips with fast shipping and no minimum orders.
What Are Pull Tabs?
A pull tab is a small paper gaming ticket with hidden symbols behind perforated tabs. Players purchase a ticket, pull back the tabs, and instantly find out whether they have won a prize. Each game has a fixed number of tickets and a fixed number of winners built in before the game is sold. The complete prize structure is printed on the outside of the game box.
Pull tabs are one of the most popular forms of charitable gaming in the United States, used at events ranging from small community carnivals to large county fairs and festivals.
Why Pull Tabs Work So Well at Carnivals and Fairs
Carnivals and fairs are ideal environments for pull tabs for several reasons.
The atmosphere is already oriented toward games, entertainment and spending. Fairgoers arrive expecting to spend money on food, rides and activities. Pull tabs fit naturally into that mindset and offer a low-cost entertainment option that appeals to a wide range of attendees.
Pull tabs are also one of the fastest games to play. Unlike carnival games that require space, equipment and a skilled operator, a pull tab booth can be run by a single volunteer with a box of tickets and a cash box. Players purchase a ticket, pull the tabs in seconds, and either collect a prize or move on. The fast pace keeps lines moving and maximizes the number of players you can serve.
The portable, self-contained nature of pull tab games makes them ideal for outdoor events. There is no setup beyond opening a box and no breakdown beyond closing it. A pull tab booth can be set up anywhere with a table and a visible display.
Are Pull Tabs Legal at Carnivals and Fairs?
Pull tab legality at carnivals and fairs varies by state, county and municipality. Most states permit pull tabs at charitable events with appropriate licensing. Some states have specific provisions for temporary gaming at fairs and festivals that differ from permanent venue licensing requirements.
Key questions to research before your event include whether your state requires a charitable gaming license for pull tab sales at temporary events, whether there are special permits required for outdoor or traveling events, what age restrictions apply to players, and what reporting requirements apply to your organization.
Contact your state gaming commission well in advance of your event to ensure you have all required licenses and permits in place. Requirements vary widely and processing times for license applications can range from days to weeks depending on your state.
It is the sole responsibility of the event organizer to verify that pull tabs are legal in their specific jurisdiction before selling any tickets.
Best Pull Tab Games for Carnivals and Fairs
Not every pull tab game is equally well suited for a carnival or fair setting. Here are the formats that tend to work best at outdoor events.
Instant pull tabs are the ideal format for carnivals and fairs. Players get instant results with no waiting, which keeps the energy high and lines moving. The self-contained nature of instant pull tab games makes them easy to manage at a busy booth. Games with colorful, eye-catching themes tend to attract more players at crowded events.
Pull chips are a particularly strong choice for fair and carnival settings because the physical act of pulling a chip from a board is visually engaging. Passersby who see other players pulling chips from a board are naturally curious and drawn in. The visual appeal of a chip board creates organic foot traffic at your booth.
Seal card games can work at fairs and festivals but are better suited for events where the same audience is present throughout the day or evening. They work well at smaller community fairs where most attendees stay for the duration of the event.
Setting Up a Pull Tab Booth at Your Event
A well-organized pull tab booth is the foundation of a successful operation at a carnival or fair. Here are the key elements to get right.
Location matters more than anything else. Place your pull tab booth in a high-traffic area — near the entrance, adjacent to food vendors, or along the main midway. Foot traffic drives pull tab sales. A booth tucked in a corner will generate a fraction of the revenue of one positioned where people naturally pass by.
Make your booth visually appealing. Display the prize board prominently so passersby can see what prizes are available before they stop. Visible prizes create interest and drive impulse purchases.
Staff your booth with enthusiastic volunteers. Volunteers who actively engage passersby and offer tickets will generate significantly more sales than those who wait for people to approach. A friendly, energetic booth operator is your most valuable asset.
Keep your ticket stock organized. At a busy fair or carnival you may be selling tickets quickly. Keep your game boxes accessible and know when you are running low so you can reorder or open a new game without interruption.
Have a clear prize payout system. Know exactly how prizes will be paid out before the event starts. For smaller instant prizes, keep cash on hand. For larger prizes, designate a specific person to handle payouts and verify winning tickets.
Tips for Maximizing Pull Tab Revenue at Outdoor Events
Announce winners out loud. When someone wins a significant prize at your booth, make it known. A short announcement or visible celebration draws attention from nearby fairgoers and creates curiosity about your booth.
Offer a variety of games if your event runs multiple days. Fairgoers who visit on multiple days will stay engaged if you rotate games or offer different formats on different days.
Position your booth near complementary activities. A pull tab booth positioned near a beer garden, food vendors or seating areas tends to perform better than one in an isolated location. People who are relaxed and enjoying themselves are more likely to stop and play.
Start selling early and keep selling until the end. Fair and carnival attendance often peaks at specific times — opening, midday and evening. Make sure your booth is fully staffed and stocked during peak periods.
Order enough games for your entire event before it starts. Running out of tickets mid-event means lost revenue that you cannot recover. Estimate your needs conservatively and order more than you think you will need. Unopened games can be saved for your next event.
How Much Can You Raise at a Fair or Carnival?
Revenue from pull tabs at fairs and carnivals depends on attendance, ticket prices, booth location and how actively your volunteers sell. Events with high attendance and well-positioned booths with enthusiastic sellers can generate substantial revenue over the course of a multi-day fair.
Each pull tab game has a fixed payout structure so you know your expected return before the first ticket is sold. This makes budgeting and revenue forecasting straightforward compared to other carnival games where revenue is more variable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pull Tabs at Carnivals and Fairs
Can you sell pull tabs at a carnival? Most states permit pull tabs at carnivals and fairs with appropriate charitable gaming licensing. Requirements vary by state so always verify with your state gaming commission before selling pull tabs at any event.
What pull tab games work best at a fair? Instant pull tabs and pull chips work best at fairs and carnivals because they offer fast results that keep lines moving. Games with colorful, eye-catching themes tend to attract more players at crowded outdoor events.
Do you need a license to sell pull tabs at a fair? In most states, yes. A charitable gaming license is typically required before selling pull tabs at any event including fairs and carnivals. Some states have specific temporary event provisions. Contact your state gaming commission for current requirements.
How do you set up a pull tab booth at a fair? Choose a high-traffic location, display your prize board prominently, staff your booth with enthusiastic volunteers, keep your ticket stock organized and have a clear prize payout system in place before the event starts.
How many pull tab games should I order for a fair? Order based on your expected attendance and the number of days your event runs. It is better to order more than you need since unopened games can be saved for future events. Running out of tickets mid-event means lost revenue you cannot recover.
Where can carnival and fair operators buy pull tabs? Pull tab games are available through specialty suppliers. EZPullTabs.com has been supplying community events, carnivals and fairs with quality pull tab games since 2011 with fast shipping and no minimum orders.
Whether you are running a small community carnival or a large multi-day county fair, EZPullTabs.com carries a complete selection of instant pull tabs, seal card games, pull chips and cash boards — all shipped fast with no minimum orders.
Shop Pull Tab Games for Carnivals and Fairs
Pull tab games may be regulated in your state. It is the sole responsibility of the purchaser to verify that these products are legal in their jurisdiction and to obtain any required licenses before purchasing or selling pull tabs. Not available in Pennsylvania (PA).
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