Lottery Licence

Lottery Licence Application Instruction Sheet

1. Check eligibility with Clerk’s Division if not already a Registered Charity.
2. Obtain package from Clerk’s Division (package contains: information sheet, quick guide, application, report form, questionnaire, terms and conditions, by-law).
3. If lottery is a bingo event to take place at the Owen Sound Bingo Hall please contact Doug Seaman at (519) 376-4992 or d.seaman@sympatico.ca.
4. Complete application and submit to Clerk’s Division with original signatures.
5. Assuming there are no discrepancies with the application, licence can be issued at time that application is submitted.  It will take approximately one half hour to review application, type up licence, and pay licence fee (3% of prize value for raffles and break open tickets, $65 per event for Bingos).
6. Within one month following completion of lottery event the corresponding report is due

“A lottery is a scheme where you offer a chance to win a prize for a fee.”

• City of Owen Sound By-law 1994-079 – Licensing of Lottery Schemes
• Lottery licenses (Bingo/Raffle/Nevada) are approved. and issued to eligible organizations.
• Licence fee is 3% of the total prize value for Raffle and Break Open Tickets
• Pooling Fee applies for Bingo Hall (contact Clerks office)

What is “charitable gaming” and how is it regulated in Ontario?

“Charitable gaming: refers to lottery schemes permitted by a licence under the Criminal Code (Canada). Typically these may include bingos, raffles, break open tickets and social gaming events held by charitable, religious or educational organizations. Charitable organizations are regulated by licensing policies and the terms and conditions of the licence's issued by the province or municipalities under the authority of an Order-in-Council. The commercial sector of the charitable gaming industry is regulated by the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and Regulations. Fact sheet

Who can get a licence to conduct a lottery scheme?

Canada's Criminal Code permits charitable, religious and educational organizations to conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds pursuant to a licence being issued. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable, religious or educational mandate to qualify. The Courts have determined that the term “charitable” refers to organizations which provide programs for:

(a) the relief of poverty;
(b) the advancement of education;
(c) the advancement of religion;
(d) other charitable purposed beneficial to the community.

Determination of Eligibility:

The following pre-requisites are mandatory to be considered eligible for a lottery licence:

• Organizations must have been in existence for at least one (1) year before being considered eligible for lottery licences.
• The organization must have a place of business in Ontario, demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in Ontario and use proceeds for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents.

Application Forms for lottery licences and their Terms & Conditions can be obtained from the City Clerk's Office or on line at The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) web site.