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# Lotteries
Lottery licensing refers to lottery schemes permitted by licence under the *Criminal Code of Canada*. Typically, these may include bingos, raffles, break open tickets and special occasion gaming events held by charitable or religious organizations.
To simplify, a lottery may be defined as any scheme that has the following three components:
* A prize;
* A chance (to win the prize); and
* Consideration or a fee.
Therefore, a lottery exists if money is paid or some other consideration is given for a chance to win a prize. This includes door prizes awarded to participants attending an event where there is an entry fee (Door prizes at a paid entry event are considered a raffle lottery).
The Nation Municipality has the authority to issue licences to eligible charities for many lottery events conducted the community, including:
* Bingo events with prize boards of up to $5,500
* Raffles with prizes of up to $50,000
* Break Open Ticket events that are not conducted in conjunction with another licenced gaming event, and where the tickets are sold within the municipality
* 50/50 draws
* Bazaar gaming events
* Media Bingo
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The eligibility of your organization will be determined by the Municipal Lottery Licensing Officer. Charitable registration with the Canada Revenue Agency or incorporation as a non-profit organization does NOT guarantee eligibility for licences.
Your organization may be eligible if it:
* It is a charity or an eligible not-for profit organization;
* Has been in existence for at least one year;
* Has a purpose to provide charitable services to Ontario residents to provide programs for:
+ The relief of poverty
+ The advancement of education
+ The advancement of religion
+ Other charitable purposes beneficial to the community
* Has provided charitable community services consistent with the goals and activities of the organization for at least one year in Ontario; and
* Is located in Ontario.
Lottery licences are not available for private functions or individuals to fundraise for personal reasons even if you are intending to give the funds raised to charity. Organizations that only promote the private interest of their members DO NOT quality for the gaming event licences and are NOT PERMITTED to conduct these types of events. This may include, but not limited to;
* Adult recreation or sports;
* Individual sports teams;
* Unions or employee groups;
* Social clubs;
* Professional associations; and
* Political, government, lobbying or advocacy groups.
For the complete by-law and licensing fees, please refer to the Lottery Licensing By-Law.
For more information on Lottery Licences, please visit the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.
## **Enforcement & Penalties**
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission (AGCO) is responsible for administering the lottery licensing program in the province of Ontario. All authority to licence gaming activity flows from the provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada. Municipalities are partners with the AGCO and have the ability to approve certain lottery events.
**Advertising, promotion, selling of tickets, or conducting a charitable gaming event without a licence is ILLEGAL.** Activities are regulated by the Criminal Code of Canada, section 206 & 207, Ontario Order in Council 1413/08, Gaming Control Act, 1992 and Regulations.
## Exemptions, Permits and Licences
All lotteries must be conducted and managed in accordance with licensing policies and the terms and conditions of the licences. This includes fulfilling all prescribed reporting requirements.
### Lottery Licence Process
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If your organization is applying for a lottery licence for the first time, you must complete the Lottery Licence Request and provide the following supporting documents:
* A copy of your organization's articles of incorporation, constitution, and/or by-laws.
* Financial statements from previous years.
* Any additional documentation that can help confirm the charitable purpose of the organization, such as an annual report, charitable registration number for income-tax purposes, or proof of compliance with the Charities Accounting Act.
* A clear explanation of how the lottery proceeds will be used -- these uses must align with the organization's primary charitable objectives and fall under at least one of the four recognized charitable purpose categories.
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Your organization is required to maintain a dedicated bank account specifically for lottery proceeds and expenses. All funds raised through licensed lottery activities must be held in trust and used solely for the approved charitable purposes identified in the lottery application.
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Once the By-Law's Office confirms that your organization is eligible to conduct lotteries, you may complete the appropriate Lottery Licence Application Form and submit it, along with the applicable fee. If your organization has already been approved by the Municipality in the past, you may simply complete the application form for future lottery requests.
* **Bingo Licence Application Form**
* **Break Open Ticket Licence Application Form**
* **Raffle Licence Application Form**
* **Blanket Raffle Licence Application Form**
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Following the lottery event, your organization must complete and submit a Lottery Report Form to the Municipal By-Law Enforcement's Office within 30 days. The report must include receipts for all expenses, as well as bank statements from the lottery trust account showing all deposits and withdrawals.
* **Bingo Licence Report Form**
* **Break Open Ticket Licence Report Form**
* **Raffle Licence Report Form**
* **Blanket Raffle Licence Report Form**
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Completed applications and reports must be submitted to the Municipal By-Law.