Lottery Licences

How are lotteries administered?

Lotteries are administered through two levels of government, the province of Ontario and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) is responsible for administering the lottery licensing program in the province of Ontario. All authority to licence gaming activity flows from the provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada.

Municipalities are partners with the AGCO and have the ability to approve certain lottery events.

What authority does the Municipality have regarding lotteries?

Municipalities have the authority to issue licences to eligible charities for many lottery events conducted in their communities, including:

• Bingo events with prize boards of up to $5,500
• Raffles with prizes of up to $50,000
• Break Open Ticket events that are not conducted in conjunction with another licenced gaming event, and where the tickets are sold within the municipality
• 50/50 draws
• Bazaar gaming events
• Media Bingo

* Since raising funds through gaming contains a certain element of risk on the part of the charitable organization, lotteries should be viewed as a supplement or alternative to the organization's other fundraising ventures.

How do I get a Lottery Licence?

What is considered a charitable or non-profit organization? 

In order to qualify for a lottery licence, an "eligible" organization must demonstrate that it exists to provide services in one of these charitable classifications:

• The relief of poverty;
• The advancement of education;
• The advancement of religion;
• Other charitable purposes beneficial to the community, not falling under the above items

* Proceeds from lotteries must be used for charitable or religious objects or purposes in the province of Ontario.

Is your charitable or non-profit organization eligible for a lottery licence? 

In order to be eligible your organization must:

• have been in existence for at least one year;
• have provided charitable community services consistent with the primary objects and purposes of the organization for at least one year;
• have a place of business in Ontario; demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in Ontario;
• propose to use proceeds for charitable purposes or objects that benefit Ontario and its residents; and
• assume full responsibility for the conduct and management of its lottery events.

What documents are required to apply for a lottery licence? 

When an organization first applies for any type of lottery licence, or whenever an eligibility review is required, it must provide all of the following information and documents that apply to it:

• A copy of its letters patent;
• A copy of its constitution and by-laws;
• A copy of its budget for the current year;
• A copy of its financial statements for the preceding year;
• A list of its Board of Directors;
• Proof of a separate designated lottery trust account held in the name of the organization;
• Application for Licensing Eligibility
• Designated Members in Charge Form
• Reporting Requirements

What documents are required after a lottery event has occurred? 

Every organization licensed to conduct a lottery event must provide the Municipality with a lottery report (which can be found below under Lottery Reports) outlining the results of the event. Copies of all deposit slips related to the event, and in the case of raffles a complete list of winners, must accompany the lottery report. The lottery report for the specific lottery event must be filed with the Clerk's Office within 30 days of the date of the lottery event.

* Failure to submit the lottery report and documentation within the required time may result in a suspension of licensing privileges.

Will I require a separate bank account for lottery funds? 

Yes. Any organization that is licensed to conduct a lottery event is required to open and maintain a separate designated lottery trust account to administer all funds related to the conduct of the lottery event. The designated lottery account shall:

• Be maintained in the name of the organization, in trust
• Have cheque writing privileges
• Have monthly bank statements issued
• Have cheques returned to the organization with the monthly bank statement
• A minimum of two signing officers who are bona fide members of the organization to administer the account and write cheques (all cheques must have two signatures).
• Have all funds derived from lottery events deposited
• Have all withdrawals made by cheque. Cheques may only be written from this account for the payment of the expenses incurred in the conduct of the lottery and for the eligible uses that were approved by the licensing officer submitted on the organization's application/ uses of proceeds form.

* Please note that money raised through lottery events cannot be co-mingled with money from other revenue sources. This means that money cannot be transferred from the lottery trust account to an organization's general or operating account, and vice versa. 

Lottery Applications

Bingo Application

Blanket Raffle Application

Break Open Ticket Application

Raffle Application

Lottery Reports

Lottery Final Report Checklist

Bingo Report

Blanket Raffle Report

Break Open Ticket Report

Raffle Report