Chapter 5: Raffles

A licensing authority may also refuse a licence amendment request. A licensee must conduct a raffle lottery in accordance with its licence application and the terms and conditions of the licence. Where the value of prizes is based on factors beyond the applicant’s control, it is impossible to properly administer the event. A licensing authority must not issue a licence for a raffle in which part of or the entire purchase price of a ticket is a “donation”. With the exception of “rubber duck” races, a licensing authority may not issue a licence for any scheme where the winner of a prize is decided on the outcome of a single sporting event, contest or race.
Electronic raffles are raffles in which computers (including handheld devices) may be used for the sale of raffle tickets, the selection of raffle winners and the distribution of raffle prizes in Ontario. In addition to completing the required application form, applicants will also submit a proposed draw schedule along with a safety and security plan describing the control measures that will be put in place as the progressive prize amount grows. If the card selected is not the Ace of Spades, the selected card is removed from the deck and the progres- sive prize portion of the ticket sales for that draw is rolled over into the progressive jackpot for the next scheduled draw.
This draw must be properly witnessed by the designated members-in-charge and/or the auditor. The pre-selected duck must be chosen by a separate draw, prior to the conduct of the event. The licensee may award a bonus prize, in addition to the first prize, on a pre-selected “duck” if that duck wins the race. The winner is the ticket holder with the number corresponding to the number on the “duck” that crosses the finish line first. Should the licensee choose to insure the lottery event against loss (in the conduct and management of the event), the premium cannot be paid from lottery trust funds.

  • A registered raffle solution provider (gaming supplier) provides the approved e-raffle solution for the ticket sales of 50/50 e-raffle tickets only (and not other types of electronic raffles such as Catch the Ace raffle).
  • Please click Features and Procedures for more details regarding this game.
  • An irrevocable standby letter of credit is required for all fixed-prize electronic raffles.
  • There are a number of registered Gaming-Related Suppliers with AGCO-approved electronic raffle solutions that charities may use.
  • All individuals meeting the definitions of gaming and non-gaming employees are required to remit fingerprint fees of $35.72
  • A licensing authority may also refuse a licence amendment request.
  • The licensee must ensure that all the rules approved by the licensing authority for the conduct of the draw and awarding of prizes are carefully followed.

Special Tax Rules for Bingo and Other Games

Any such request must be made in writing to the licensing authority and must state that no sales have taken place. The licensing authority is under no obligation to issue an amendment solely because it has previously issued an amendment under the same or similar conditions. The licensing authority must consider requests for licence amendments on a case-by-case basis. A licensee must not change the way it is conducting and managing an event unless it has first obtained a licence amendment.

Rules of play

Charities must have an active licence in order to offer and maintain player subscriptions, and must provide all relevant terms and conditions of the subscription to players prior to entering into a new or renewed subscription agreement. Charities may obtain a licence that permits multiple draws over an extended period, such as during a sports season. All proposed solutions, including charity-developed sales platforms, are subject to review and approval by the AGCO’s Technical and Laboratory Services. There are a number of registered Gaming-Related Suppliers with AGCO-approved electronic raffle solutions that charities may use. Licensees may conduct and manage a maximum of four online raffles at the same time. An irrevocable standby letter of credit is required for all fixed-prize electronic raffles.

Special Tax Rules for Bingo and Other Games

  • The various reporting requirements are not trivial and require the signing individual to personally certify the accuracy of the information, prepare and handle various tax withholding documents, and file returns with the state.
  • Electronic raffles are raffles in which computers (including handheld devices) may be used for the sale of raffle tickets, the selection of raffle winners and the distribution of raffle prizes in Ontario.
  • The fixed prizes, such as cash or merchandise, must be paid from the charity’s half of the ticket sales
  • Municipalities may only issue licences permitting eligible organizations to conduct non-electronic raffle lotteries where the total value of the prizes to be awarded, including any taxes is $50,000 or less.
  • A licensee may apply to the licensing authority for a blanket licence to conduct any number of these raffle events or combination of these raffle events for up to a maximum of a year and for a total prize board not to exceed $50,000.
  • The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising.

In such cases, the licensee will reduce the numbers of games in the draw to ensure it does not exceed its maximum payout as in Scenario #1. The winner is the first player whose cards all match cards turned up by the Dealer and who calls out “BINGO”. Game Schedule means a complete list of games that are to be played, the price per set of cards and the prizes that are to be awarded.
The Raffle Licence Terms and Conditions do not make provisions for reimbursing expenses for bona fide members who participate in the conduct and management of raffle lotteries. The licensing authority must require a financial guarantee for all fixed-prize raffle licences with a total prize value of $10,000 or greater, including taxes. The licensing authority will only consider amending a raffle licence when it has discussed the reasons for the request with the licensee and established that the amendment is in the public interest. The licensing authority will not grant amendments after ticket sales have begun. However, if it is in the public interest to do so, a licensing authority may issue an amendment to a licence it has issued, as long as no tickets have yet been sold (with the exception of Catch the Ace raffles as described in 5.2.1lv). The licensee is accountable to both the licensing authority and the public, to ensure that the prize originally offered is the prize actually awarded.

Cookies on the Gambling Commission website

Licensees that operate their own call centres must use their bona fide members and/or their own staff members, provided that the staff members’ primary responsibility is not providing gaming services that would normally require registration. If spinalto space restrictions prevent a licensee from giving full details of the prizes to be awarded, the licensee should refer the customer to a brochure, website or other resource containing those details. When the total prize value of a fixed-prize raffle licence is $10,000 or greater, the licensing authority requires an irrevocable standby letter of credit as the form of financial guarantee. The request to cancel must be made in writing to the applicable licensing authority with an explanation of why the licensee is making the request.

The organization must submit the names of the designated bona fide members to the licensing authority and must be prepared to provide documentation proving the designated individuals are bona fide members and not members of convenience. If changes to the licence application package are made before submission to the licensing authority, each change must be initialled, on each document, by the individual(s) with signing authority for the applicant. Below is an example of a raffle lottery events schedule that might be used by the applicant to provide details to the licensing authority about each of the events to be conducted under a blanket raffle licence. The licensing authority may also require a financial guarantee when it determines it is appropriate, including for a prize amount less than $10,000 amount or where the prize is a percentage of the gross ticket sales. A registered raffle solution provider (gaming supplier) provides the approved e-raffle solution for the ticket sales of 50/50 e-raffle tickets only (and not other types of electronic raffles such as Catch the Ace raffle). As part of their conduct and management responsibilities, it is up to charities to ensure that they are working with a registered supplier and using the approved version of a supplier’s technical solution.

The various reporting requirements are not trivial and require the signing individual to personally certify the accuracy of the information, prepare and handle various tax withholding documents, and file returns with the state. An applicant for a license must represent a “qualified organization.” Strict financial record keeping is mandated. Millionaire Parties can include several or just a single card game (such as Texas Hold ‘Em) plus other kinds of gambling games.


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