A raffle lottery is a scheme whereby tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize at a draw and includes 50/50 draws, elimination draws, and calendar draws.

Provincial Licence

Only the Registrar may issue a licence to an eligible charitable or religious organization for the following:

  • Raffle lotteries where the total value of the prizes to be awarded exceeds $50,000;
  • Raffles conducted in an unorganized territory;
  • Raffles conducted on federal land such as Canadian Forces Bases;
  • Raffles lotteries where the event is to be conducted in conjunction with another licensed lottery event;
  • Electronic raffles.

Municipal Licence

A municipality may issue a licence to eligible local charitable or religious organizations for paper raffle lotteries where the total value of the prizes to be awarded does not exceed $50,000.

Municipal licence applications may be made with the municipality where the event will be administered.

If you are applying for a municipal licence, contact the local municipality where the event will be administered for more detailed information on the application process, licensing fees and required attachments.

Blanket Raffle Licence (issued by municipalities only)

A blanket raffle licence will allow eligible organizations to obtain one lottery licence to conduct and manage more than one type of raffle event within a fixed time period and within a capped prize amount.

Please refer to the AGCO’s Lottery Licensing Policy Manual for further information pertaining to blanket raffle licences.

Application Requirements:

  • First time applicants should visit the Charitable Lottery Licensing Overview page for information on what’s necessary to determine eligibility
  • Municipal approval letter (if applicable)
  • Please refer to Raffle Application Requirements for Lottery Licences Issues by the Registrar, linked below, for complete details on additional documentation required
  • Appropriate lottery licensing fee payable to the Minister of Finance.

Where the licensee wishes to extend ticket sales or hold the draw outside the municipality where the event will be administered, the licensee must notify each municipality in which it wishes to extend its operations. Such request shall be in writing and include a copy of the licence issued, as well as a copy of the original application submitted. Permission to extend ticket sales into municipalities other than the municipality where the event is administered will be considered for municipalities in the Province of Ontario only.

The licensee must conduct and manage the event in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the licence.

Documents and Publications:

Application Forms, Reports, Terms and Conditions

Electronic Raffles

Organizations licensed under this framework may use computers in the sale of raffle tickets, selection of raffle winners, and distribution of raffle prizes within the parameters of that framework.

Electronic raffle solutions developed by your Charity/Organization must be reviewed and approved by the AGCO’s Technical and Laboratory Services. Please use the Electronic Raffle Solution Review Form to submit your proposed solution for assessment and email the form to lotterylicensing@agco.ca.

Documents and Publications:

Catch the Ace

A Catch the Ace progressive raffle lottery is a multiple-draw game in which participants purchase tickets for a chance to win:

  • A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of tickets from one draw, and
  • The draw winner also gets a chance to win a progressive (cumulative) jackpot by selecting a card from a standard deck of 52 playing cards.

Documents and Publications:

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