Lottery Gaming Licensing Information
Qualifications
To qualify for a lottery licence an organization must fit into one of the following categories:
- the relief of poverty
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of religion
- any purpose that is beneficial to the community
In addition, an organization must:
- have been in existence for a minimum of (1) year
- it must have its place of business in Ontario
- provide charitable services in Ontario
- use proceeds for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents
NOTE: there are exceptions to providing charitable services in Ontario eg: an Ontario resident seeking medical treatment outside of Ontario.
Terms and Conditions
There are specific terms and conditions for each lottery category and an organization should be provided with a copy of the appropriate T & C's. There are several key areas that are consistent within the terms: a lottery trust account must be opened which must have at least (2) signing officers and is a cheque/monthly statement account all groups must submit an annual financial fiscal year end statement to the City all groups must submit a financial report for the lottery event to the City the group must establish a separate accounting ledger for their gaming activities gaming funds cannot be co-mingled with other funds.
Issued Licenses
Issued Licenses - Reports Required. Every licence that is issued must include the appropriate report form. The following applies:
Raffles - blue lottery report form
Bingo - 1 municipal form; a provincial form for each bingo date
Bazaar - blue lottery report form
Nevada - 1 municipal form, 1 provincial form
Provincial Permits
The following types of licences or prize structures requires the lottery licence to be issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario:
- Raffles in excess of $50,000 in retail prizes
- Bingo with a total prize pay out in excess of $5,500
- Social Gaming Events (blackjack tables)
- Nevadas conducted in commercial bingo halls
- Super Jackpot Bingo Games
- Progressive Bingo Games
- Fair & Exhibition Gaming Events
- Municipal approval is still required on these lottery schemes before the application is sent to the provincial office.
Audit Review
As per the provincial Terms & Conditions, licensees may be subject to audit and investigation by the Licensing Authority. The City of Brantford has a progressive audit review system and conducts audits on all charitable groups conducting lottery events regularly.
Eligibility Reviews
For a new charity seeking lottery licencing as a fund raiser an eligibility review must be completed. Refer any enquiries to the Deputy Clerk/Manager of Licencing and Administrative Services, Rick Levac, 519-759-4150 extension 2228.
Use of Gaming Funds
Organizations must state on a lottery application, the intended uses of the gaming funds raised from the event. The use of proceeds must meet the same criteria as the four category types:
- the relief of poverty
- the advancement of education
- the advancement of religion
- any purpose that is beneficial to the communit