Lottery & Gaming Licences

Overview

Lotteries for non-profit and charitable organizations must be licensed. It is illegal to print tickets, promote or conduct a charitable gaming event without a licence.

The City of St. Catharines can help your organization become eligible for lottery licensing, which is an instrumental means of fundraising for many charitable organizations that benefit the local community.

Activities are regulated by the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 206 & 207, Order-in-Council, Gaming Control Act, 1992, as well as provincial and municipal regulations. In 1969, the Government of Canada amended the Criminal Code (Canada) making it possible for eligible charitable or religious organizations to conduct and manage lottery schemes under a licence issued by the appropriate provincial authority.

The Criminal Code includes the following sections:

• Section 206 makes it an indictable offence to  participate in a lottery scheme in any manner

• Section 207 (1) (a) provides an exemption from the general prohibition against gambling, allowing provincial governments to conduct and manage lottery schemes
• Section 207 (1) (b) provides an exemption from the general prohibition of gambling, allowing eligible charitable and religious organizations to conduct and manage lottery schemes under the authority of a licence issued by the appropriate authority. This section stipulates that eligible organizations must use lottery proceeds for a charitable objective
• Section 207 (1) (b) allows the Lieutenant Governor in Council to delegate licensing authority

The Government of Ontario, by Order-in-Council, designates the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming and Municipal Councils as licensing authorities

In 1969, the Government of Canada amended the Criminal Code (Canada) making it possible for eligible charitable or religious organizations to conduct and manage lottery schemes under a licence issued by the appropriate provincial authority.

Process

Who can apply for a Lottery License?

To be eligible for a lottery licence, an applicant must qualify either as an eligible charitable organization or as a non-profit organization with charitable purposes or objects including the relief of poverty, advancement of education and religion or other charitable purposes that are beneficial to the community.

To determine eligibility, the organization must supply the following documentation:

• A copy of letters of incorporation, charitable registrations or constitution and / or by-laws.
• A copy of its budget for the preceding and current years.
• A current list of the board of directors, including position held, addresses and phone numbers.

An organization must also demonstrate that, consistent with the organization's mandate, it has carried out charitable activities that provide a direct benefit to Ontario residents for a minimum of one year. 

View the Lottery License Terms and Conditions, under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Different types of Lottery Licences issued at City Hall

A lottery scheme exists if money is paid or some other consideration is given for a chance to win a prize.

There are many types of lottery schemes for which licences are not available. The licensing authority will confirm whether or not a licence is available for a proposed lottery scheme. If the proposed event is one for which a lottery licence is available, the organization is responsible for making an application. The organization is also responsible for ensuring that all its schemes are operated legally.

Raffle Lottery

A lottery scheme is where tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize in a draw. A municipal licence can be issued for a maximum prize value of $50,000. All lotteries where the prize value is over $50,000 are licensed by the Registrar, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Download the Raffle Lottery Application

View Raffle Licensing Terms and Conditions

Bazaar Lottery

A one-day event where any combination of the following lotteries may be conducted such as; a wheel of fortune event at which there are no more than three wheels and individual bets are no more than $2; a raffle or penny sale auction lottery not exceeding $500 in prizes;  a bingo lottery not exceeding $500 in prizes

Download the Bazaar Lottery Application

Break Open Tickets

Break open tickets are instant-win lottery tickets commonly known as Pull Tab, Nevada or Break Open Tickets.

Download the Break Open Ticket Application

View Break Open Tickets Terms and Conditions

Bingo Lottery

Bingo is a game of chance where players are awarded a cash prize or prizes for being the first to complete a specified arrangement of numbers, selected at random, on pre-printed bingo cards.

Download the Regular Bingo Lottery Application

View Regular and Special Bingo License Terms and Conditions 

Download the Pooling Hall Bingo Lottery Application

View Pooling Hall Bingo Lottery Terms and Conditions

Lottery Licence Reports

All organizations must submit a financial report after the event. The report for break open ticket, raffle and bazaar lotteries must be filed with the City of St. Catharines within 30 days of the event. All bingo lottery reports must be filed monthly.

Download the Raffle/ Bazaar Lottery Report Form

Download the Break Open Ticket Lottery Report Form

Download the Regular Bingo Lottery Report Form

Download the Pooling Bingo Hall Report Form

Where to apply for a Lottery Licence

Copies of all applications are available at the City of St. Catharines, City Clerk's Office, City Hall. Completed lottery applications and fees must also be submitted in person in the City Clerk's office.

Fees

The Lottery Licence Fee,  set by the province, is based on three per cent of the prize value for raffle, bazaar, break open ticket and regular bingo lotteries. The licence fee for bingo in a pooling hall is three per cent of actual prizes awarded.

All lottery licence fees are payable by cheque drawn on the lottery trust account from the charitable organization that is applying for the licence. All cheques must be made payable to the City of St. Catharines.