Lottery Licences

We get our authority to issue lottery licences from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). We share the responsibility with the AGCO to issue licences to eligible charities and religious organizations. Your organization may raise money through licensed lotteries.

We may attach terms and conditions to your lottery licence. The AGCO's Lottery Licencing Policy Manual can help you understand the legal reasoning and procedures for lottery licencing.

How to apply

You can get an application from our Deputy Treasurer by emailing or by calling 519-769-2010. You must submit your lottery licence application to us 10 days before your lottery takes place.

You must submit your application 30 days before your lottery takes place, for lottery licences issued by AGCO. If it is your first lottery, you must submit your application 45 days before the event.

Eligibility

We only issue lottery licences to eligible charities and religious organizations. Your organization must work to do one of the following, in order to be considered charitable:

• The relief of poverty
• The advancement of education
• The advancement of religion
• Other purposes beneficial to the community

Your organization must have a place of business in Ontario and be at least one year old to get a lottery licence.

Contact our Deputy Treasurer by email or by phone at 519-769-2010, if you have questions about your organization's eligibility for a lottery licence.

Cost of licence

The cost of a lottery licence is 3% of the total prize value. This is due upon receipt of your lottery licence.

Types of Lotteries

Lottery schemes allowed under the Criminal Code of Canada include:

• Bazaars
• Bingos (with prize boards of up to $5,500)
• Break open tickets
• Raffles (with total prizes of $50,000 and under)
• 50/50 draws

Please note that you cannot get a licence for any lottery event to be held at a Stag and Doe. Please check with the AGCO for specific information on those type of lottery schemes.

Reporting

The licensee must provide the Township with a financial report outlining the results of the lottery on the prescribed form. The following documents must accompany the financial report:

• Copies of all deposit slips related to the event
• A list of winners

Reports can be found on the AGCO's website. It should be noted that reports are to be filed within 30 days of the date of the last draw.