You need a lottery and gaming licence from the City of St. Catharines before you can host a lottery or raffle game.
All lotteries are regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). It is illegal to print tickets, promote or conduct a charitable gaming event without a lottery licence.
Apply for a lottery licence
If this is the first time that your organization will be applying for a lottery licence, then an eligibility review has to be conducted before a licence can be issued. Please refer to the Eligibility section below for more details.
Please contact us for information about submitting a lottery licence application.
Raffle lottery application process |
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A raffle lottery is where tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize in a draw. A license is 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). Please complete the Raffle Lottery Application and submit it with the fee to Legal and Clerk's Services on the third floor in City Hall. After you hold the lottery, you must submit a Raffle Report to Legal and Clerks Services within 30 days of the event. |
Bazaar lottery application |
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A bazaar lottery is a one-day event where any combination of the following lotteries can be conducted:
Please complete the Bazaar Lottery Application and submit it with the fee to Legal and Clerk's Services on the third floor in City Hall. After you hold the lottery, you must submit a Bazaar Lottery Report to Legal and Clerks Services within 30 days of the event. |
Break open tickets application |
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Break open tickets are instant-win lottery tickets, commonly known as Pull tab or Nevada tickets. Please complete the Break Open Ticket Lottery Application and submit it with the fee to Legal and Clerk's Services on the third floor in City Hall. After you hold the lottery, you must submit a Break Open Tickets Report to Legal and Clerks Services within 30 days of the event. |
Bingo lottery application |
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Bingo lotteries are games of chance, selected at random on pre-printed bingo cards. For more information on eligibility requirements and applications please contact us. After you hold the lottery, you must submit a Pooling Bingo Hall Report to Legal and Clerks Services within 30 days of the event. |
E-Raffles application |
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E-Raffles are replacing traditional paper raffles as they are a modern version of traditional paper raffles, including 50/50's and "Catch the Ace" draws. Visit Electronic Raffles hosted by the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association to learn more about the e-raffle application process. |
Eligibility
Organizations wishing to apply for the first time must be an eligible charitable organization or a non-profit organization with charitable purposes or objectives including:
- The relief of poverty
- Advancement of education and religion
- Other charitable purposes that are beneficial to the community
When applying, the organization has to show 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. They also have to include the following information:
- A copy of the letters of incorporation, charitable registrations or constitution and/or by-laws
- A copy of the organization's budget for the preceding and current year
- A current list of the board of directors, including positions held, addresses and contact information
You must abide by the Lottery Terms and Conditions under the AGCO.
Fees
The lottery licence fee for a raffle or bazaar with a total prize value of $500 or less is $5.45. For a raffle or bazaar with a total prize value greater than $500, the fee for the lottery licence is 3 percent of the total prize value.
For break open tickets and regular bingo lotteries, the fee for a lottery licence is 3 per cent of the prize value.
For bingo in a pooling hall, the fees are 3 per cent of the actual prize awarded.
Fees are made payable to the City of St. Catharines by cheque from the organizations lottery trust account.
Regulations
The Criminal Code of Canada, Order-in-Council, Gaming Control Act, 1992, as well as provincial and municipal regulations oversee lottery licensing.
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.