CasinoRules

Pull tabs: instant tickets sold in deals

Pull tabs are paper tickets with windows you pull open to reveal symbols. Each set of tickets, called a deal, has a fixed number of winners. They are sold in bars, bingo halls and tribal casinos.

Reviewed Oct 15, 2026

Answer first

90s

01Every deal has a set number of tickets and winners, printed on a flare.
02Common prices are $0.25 to $2 per ticket.
03Electronic pull tabs on tablets work the same way with a digital deal.

Key numbers

Pull tabs in four numbers

$0.25 to $2Ticket priceCommon range

65% to 85%Typical payoutVaries by deal

ThousandsTickets per dealFixed count

1 flarePrize listPosted at sale

In short

Key takeaways

Each deal has a fixed number of winners.
As winners are claimed, the remaining odds change.
The flare lists prizes and the number of tickets.
Electronic pull tabs are legal in some states, such as Minnesota.

Catalog fields

What a flare shows

Game name
Game name
Deal identifier
Ticket price
Ticket price
Per ticket
Prizes
Prizes
Amounts and counts
Tickets in deal
Tickets in deal
Total count
Form number
Form number
Registration

Example deal

Prize	Number of winners
$200	2
$50	6
$10	30
$1	300
Total tickets	4,000

Example only; each deal differs.

How a deal works

Every deal comes in a box with a fixed number of tickets and a flare listing prizes. Players buy tickets, pull them open and claim wins from the seller.

When big prizes are claimed, sellers often mark them on the flare so players can see what is left.

Once the deal sells out, a new one opens.

Payout example

Item	Amount
Tickets sold	4,000 at $1
Total sales	$4,000
Total prizes	$2,900
Payout rate	72.5%

The rest funds the seller, charity and taxes.

Charitable gaming

In many states, pull tabs are run by charities such as veterans groups and youth sports clubs. Profits must go to approved causes.

State gambling boards regulate deals, prices and payouts, and many publish yearly reports on sales and charity spending.

Sequence

Playing pull tabs

Step 01
Read the flare
Prizes and count.
Step 02
Buy tickets
From the seller.
Step 03
Pull each window
Check symbols.
Step 04
Claim wins
With the seller.
Step 05
Set a budget
Stop when spent.

Electronic pull tabs

Some states allow electronic pull tabs on tablets. The game still uses a fixed deal, but tickets open on screen with animations.

Electronic versions are common in Minnesota bars and restaurants, where charities run them under state licenses. Players buy credits from staff and cash out with a receipt.

Floor rules

Pull tab terms

Know before you sit

Pull tab: Paper ticket with windows.
Deal: Set of tickets with fixed winners.
Flare: Poster listing prizes.
Seller: Person or site selling tabs.

Pull tabs at tribal casinos

Some tribal casinos offer pull tabs as Class II games, sometimes in electronic form. These follow tribal and federal rules.

Check the game rules or ask staff. Electronic Class II pull tabs often look like slot machines, but each result still comes from a fixed set of tickets.

A small sticker or help screen usually says which kind of game you are playing.

Pull tabs vs scratch-offs

Feature	Pull tabs	Scratch-offs
Run by	Charities or sellers	State lottery
Prize pool	Fixed per deal	Fixed per game
Price	$0.25 to $2	$1 to $50
Remaining prizes	On the flare	On the lottery site

Both are instant games.

Responsible play

Pull tabs are quick and cheap per ticket, which makes spending easy to lose track of. Set a cash amount before you start and keep winnings separate.

Free help is available at 1-800-GAMBLER if play stops being fun.

Common mistakes

Ignoring the flare: It shows prizes.
Overspending: Set a budget.
Throwing away tickets unchecked: Check every window.
Assuming every deal pays the same: Payouts vary.

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After the 90 seconds

Questions before and after you play

A 90-second guide cannot cover every table moment. Tap a group, then a question — answers are short paragraphs, not one-liners.

01Basics

What is a pull tab?

A paper ticket with windows that reveal symbols and prizes. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

How much do they cost?

Usually $0.25 to $2 per ticket. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

Where are they sold?

In bars, bingo halls, charities and some casinos. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

02Odds

How much do pull tabs pay back?

Often about 65% to 85%, depending on the deal. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

Do odds change during a deal?

Yes, as tickets and prizes are claimed. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

What is a flare?

A poster listing the prizes in a deal. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

03Electronic

What are electronic pull tabs?

Digital versions played on tablets, with a fixed deal. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

Where are they legal?

In some states, such as Minnesota. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

Do they pay the same?

Payout rules depend on state regulations. House rules vary, so ask staff if you are unsure.

Sources

Minnesota Gambling Control Board · accessed Oct 15, 2026Pull tab rules
National Indian Gaming Commission · accessed Oct 15, 2026Class II games
American Gaming Association — Research Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026US casino industry data
National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 15, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER