The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates charitable lottery licensing in Ontario and authorizes the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex to issue licences for lottery events conducted in the municipality that meet certain criteria including:
- bingo events, with prize boards of up to $5,500;
- media bingo events with prizes up to $5,500;
- break open tickets for local organizations;
- raffle lotteries for total prizes of $50,000 and under; and
- bazaar lotteries not exceeding $500
A lottery is defined as any event that has the following three components:
- A prize;
- A chance (to win a prize); and
- A consideration or a fee to participate
Only eligible charitable organizations can apply for a municipal lottery license. Eligibility for lottery licensing is based on four charitable categories:
- Relief of Poverty
- Advancement of Religion
- Advancement of Education
- Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community
Fee
The cost of a lottery licence is 3% of the total prize value.
Bingo
Bingo is a game of chance where players are awarded a price or prizes for being the first to complete a specified arrangement of numbers on bingo paper, based on number selected at random.
The following are permitted bingo events:
- Regular Bingo
- Super Jackpot Bingo
- Special Bingo
- Merchandise Bingo
- Media Bingo
- Decision Bingo
- Table Board Bingo
- Progressive Bingo
Blanket
A Blanket Lottery allows eligible organizations to obtain a single lottery licence to conduct and manage more than one type of raffle event within a fixed period and from one location within a capped price amount of $50,000 for total prizes.
The types of raffle events that a licensee may conduct under a blanket raffle licence include:
- stub draws
- elimination draws
- paper-based 50/50 draws
- meat spin/turkey rolls
- "name the raffle" lottery
Break Open
Break open tickets are instant-win lottery tickets, commonly known as "pull tab" or "nevada" tickets and the brand name "Pocket Slots." Break open tickets:
- are made of cardboard;
- have one or more perforated cover window tabs that conceal winning and losing numbers or symbols;
- are played by tearing off the cover tabs; and
- also include seal cards and bingo event tickets
Break Open Ticket Licence Application
Break Open Ticket Application Checklist
Break Open Ticket Lottery Report
Raffle
A raffle is a lottery scheme where tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize at a draw. The different types of raffle schemes are usually identified by the method of determining the winner. Raffle prizes may consist of merchandise or cash, or a combination of the two.
The following are permitted raffle lottery events:
- Stub Draw
- Elimination Draw
- Calendar Draw
- "Golf Ball Drop" Raffle Lottery
- "Rubber Duck" Race
- 50/50 Draw (paper-based)
- Blanket Raffle Licence
- Meat Spin/Turkey Roll
- "Name the Raffle" Lottery
- Bossy Bingo/Cow Patty Bingo
- Auction-Style Raffle
- Catch the Ace Progressive Raffle Lottery
- Electronic raffles
Raffle Lottery Application Checklist
To apply for a lottery license please review:
We ask that all lottery applications arrive at least 30 days prior to the date of the event/start of the event. Staff can assist you with questions (including eligibility questions) concerning all charitable lottery events.
More information about lottery eligibility and detailed requirements can be found by visiting Alcohol and Gaming Commission website. Approved lottery events are detailed in the Lottery Licensing Program Manual (LLPM) available through the AGCO website.