Lottery Licences

• Break Open Ticket Licence Application Form
• Application to Manage and Conduct a Raffle Lottery
• Application to Manage and Conduct a Blanket Raffle Lottery
• Bingo Licence Application Form
• Application to Manage and Conduct a Bingo Lottery

Canada's Criminal Code only permits charitable and religious organizations to conduct lottery schemes to raise funds pursuant to an issued lottery licence. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to qualify.

The courts have determined that the term "charitable" refers to organizations which provide programs for: 

• the relief of poverty;
• the advancement of education;
• the advancement of religion; and
• other charitable purposes beneficial to the community.

The following are prerequisites to be considered eligible for a lottery licence:

• Organizations must have been in existence for at least one(1) year;
• Organizations must have a place of business in Ontario;
• Organizations' primary purpose must be to provide charitable services in Ontario; and
• Organization must use the proceeds of any lottery scheme for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents.

The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:

• the mandate of the organization as set out in its incorporation documents or documents stating the organization's objectives;
• the objectives of the organization as described in its application for licence; and
• the services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community.

First time applicants should, in addition to the materials required with the application as identified in the lottery licensing policies, provide the following information or documents:

• A copy of its articles of incorporation or constitution and/or by-laws
• A copy of its budget or financial statements for the preceding and coming years
• Any other information that will assist in determining the charitable nature of the objects and purposes. This could include an annual report, charitable number for income-tax purposes, the fact that it meets the reporting requirements of the Charities Accounting Act.
• The proposed use of proceeds must be consistent with the primary objects and purposes of the organization which must be of a charitable nature consistent with at least one of the four classifications of charitable purposes

The types of organizations which cannot be considered charitable include:

• social clubs
• professional associations, unions, employee groups
• elected representative groups including municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments
• government ministries, agents or bodies
• political lobby groups
• political parties
• adult hobby groups
• private sports clubs (e.g. golf/curling)
• adult sports teams

• Charitable Gaming Events Conducted and Managed in Pooling Bingo Halls Terms and Conditions
• Regular and Special Bingo Licence Terms and Conditions
• Break Open Ticket Licence Terms and Conditions
• Raffle Licence Terms and Conditions