Pull Tabs for VFW Halls and American Legion Posts — Complete Guide
Pull tabs have been a cornerstone of fundraising at VFW halls and American Legion posts across the United States for decades. They are easy to manage, require no special equipment, and generate consistent revenue that helps veterans organizations fund their programs, events and community service initiatives.
If your VFW hall or American Legion post is considering adding pull tabs or looking to improve an existing program, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.
Planning to stock up? Browse our full selection of pull tab games, seal card games and pull chips with fast shipping and no minimum orders.
Why Pull Tabs Work So Well at Veterans Organizations
VFW halls and American Legion posts are ideal environments for pull tab programs. Members gather regularly for meetings, events and social nights, creating consistent foot traffic and repeat players. The social atmosphere encourages participation and members who win often reinvest their winnings by purchasing more tickets.
Pull tabs also align naturally with the community-focused mission of veterans organizations. Revenue from pull tab programs funds everything from scholarship programs and community outreach to hall maintenance and veterans assistance funds. Players feel good knowing their purchases support a worthy cause.
From an operational standpoint, pull tabs require minimal overhead. There is no special equipment to purchase, no complicated software to learn, and volunteers can be trained to manage ticket sales and prize payouts in minutes.
Are Pull Tabs Legal for VFW Halls and American Legion Posts?
Pull tab legality for veterans organizations varies by state. Most states specifically permit pull tabs as a form of charitable gaming for nonprofit organizations including VFW posts and American Legion chapters. However the specific requirements vary significantly.
Common requirements include a valid charitable gaming license issued by your state gaming commission, registration of your organization as a nonprofit charitable gaming operator, compliance with prize limits set by your state, age restrictions for players (typically 18 or 21 years old), and regular reporting of gaming revenue and proceeds.
Many states have specific licensing categories for veterans organizations that streamline the application process. Contact your state gaming commission or your national VFW or American Legion organization for guidance on the requirements in your state.
It is the responsibility of each post to verify that pull tabs are legal in their specific jurisdiction and to obtain all required licenses before conducting any gaming activities.
What Are Pull Tab Games?
A pull tab game is a set of gaming tickets where players purchase individual tickets and open perforated tabs to instantly reveal 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 prize structure is printed on the outside of the game box.
Pull tab games come in several formats that work well for veterans organizations.
Instant pull tabs are the most common format. Players purchase a ticket, pull back the tabs, and know immediately whether they have won. These work well during bar nights, post meetings and social events where members want fast-paced entertainment.
Seal card games are particularly popular at VFW halls and American Legion posts because they create a shared communal experience. Players purchase tickets and hold them throughout the event. At the end of the night, the operator opens the sealed card to reveal the winning numbers. This format builds anticipation across the whole room and gives members a reason to stay until the end of the event.
Pull chips are a variation where players pull a chip from a board rather than opening a paper ticket. The format adds a tactile element that many veterans organization members enjoy as a change of pace from traditional pull tabs.
Cash boards are complete game sets with a display board that tracks which prizes have been claimed. The visual element creates interest across the room and draws in members who might not have participated otherwise.
How to Set Up a Pull Tab Program at Your Post
Setting up a successful pull tab program at your VFW hall or American Legion post involves several key steps.
Step 1 — Verify your legal requirements. Contact your state gaming commission and your national organization to understand the licensing requirements in your state. Apply for any required charitable gaming licenses before purchasing or selling any pull tab games.
Step 2 — Designate a gaming manager. Appoint a post member or officer to oversee the pull tab program. This person should be responsible for ordering games, managing inventory, handling cash, paying out prizes and maintaining required records.
Step 3 — Choose your games. Select pull tab games that fit your membership and event types. For regular bar nights, instant pull tabs work well because they are fast-paced and easy to manage. For larger events, seal card games create shared excitement that keeps members engaged throughout the evening.
Step 4 — Set up your ticket station. Create a visible, accessible ticket station near the bar or in a high-traffic area of your hall. Visibility is critical — members who see the tickets are far more likely to purchase than those who have to seek them out.
Step 5 — Train your volunteers. Make sure everyone involved in selling tickets and paying out prizes understands the prize structure for each active game before they start selling. Keep a payout chart at the ticket station for easy reference.
Step 6 — Keep accurate records. Most states require veterans organizations to maintain detailed records of pull tab gaming activities including starting ticket counts, prizes paid out and net proceeds. Keep these records current and organized for required reporting.
Tips for Maximizing Pull Tab Revenue at Your Post
Veterans organizations that generate the most consistent pull tab revenue share a few common practices.
Sell tickets actively rather than passively. Members who are approached directly and offered a ticket are far more likely to purchase than those who have to seek out the ticket station on their own. Encourage volunteers to walk the floor during events and offer tickets to members.
Announce winners publicly. When a member wins a significant prize, announce it over the microphone or to the room. This creates excitement and reminds other members that people are winning, which drives additional ticket sales.
Run seal card games at larger events. The anticipation of a seal card drawing keeps members engaged throughout the entire event and gives them a reason to stay until the end.
Rotate your games regularly. Members who attend your post regularly will notice if you run the same game every week. Rotating game themes and formats keeps the program fresh and gives long-time members a reason to keep participating.
Reorder before you run out. Running out of tickets during a busy event means lost revenue. Keep a backup game on hand and reorder as soon as you open your last game.
How Much Can Your Post Raise?
The amount your post can raise from pull tabs depends on the types of games you run, how actively you sell tickets, and how often you hold events. Posts with regular weekly or monthly events and active volunteer sellers tend to generate the most consistent revenue.
Well-run pull tab programs at active veterans organization posts can generate meaningful monthly revenue that makes a real difference in funding post programs and community service initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pull Tabs for Veterans Organizations
Can VFW halls sell pull tabs? Most states permit VFW halls and American Legion posts to sell pull tabs as a form of charitable gaming. Specific licensing requirements vary by state. Contact your state gaming commission for current requirements.
Do VFW posts need a license to sell pull tabs? In most states, yes. Veterans organizations typically need a charitable gaming license before selling pull tabs. Requirements vary by state so always verify with your state gaming authority before beginning a pull tab program.
What types of pull tab games work best for VFW halls? Both instant pull tabs and seal card games work well at VFW halls. Instant pull tabs are ideal for bar nights and casual events. Seal card games work well for larger gatherings where you want to create shared excitement throughout the evening.
How do you run a pull tab program at an American Legion post? Start by verifying your state's licensing requirements, designate a gaming manager, choose appropriate games, set up a visible ticket station, train your volunteers and keep accurate records of all gaming activity.
Are pull tabs profitable for veterans organizations? Pull tabs can be a reliable revenue source for veterans organizations when managed consistently. Each game has a fixed payout structure so your organization knows its expected return before the first ticket is sold.
Where can VFW halls buy pull tabs? Pull tab games for charitable organizations are available through specialty pull tab suppliers. EZPullTabs.com has been supplying veterans organizations, VFW halls and American Legion posts since 2011 with fast shipping and no minimum orders.
Whether you are launching a new pull tab program or looking to improve an existing one, 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 Veterans Organizations
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).