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.
Eligible charitable or religious organizations may apply to the Registrar for a licence to conduct and manage electronic raffles.
No minimum prize board is needed to obtain a licence to conduct and manage an electronic raffle. Three types of electronic raffles are permitted:
All the policies that apply to paper-based raffles also apply to electronic raffles, with some exceptions and additions as noted below.
Terms and conditions that electronic raffle licensees must comply with include:
The use of paid ticket sellers is permitted for electronic raffles. Sellers may not be paid based on the number of tickets they sell, and the money used to pay sellers must come from a general account.
All electronic raffles are required to provide clear communications on resources available to support problem gambling. Tickets must provide contact information for the ConnexOntario problem gambling service phoneline (1-866-531-2600). Additionally, electronic raffle personnel are required to have the knowledge to direct players to the ConnexOntario problem gambling phoneline and website (https:// www.connexontario.ca/).
Licensed charities are permitted to accept sponsorship for their electronic raffles in the form of fixed cash or merchandise prizes. Charities must also ensure that sponsorships are clearly communicated to customers. As the amounts received from sponsors become part of the prize board, licensing fees, which are set at one per cent of the prize board, are calculated to include any sponsorship funds.
Any incidents, such as suspected cheating or gaming supply/system malfunctions, occurring before or during the electronic raffle event must be reported by the licensee to the Registrar within a specific timeframe. The Notification Matrix—Electronic Raffles lists all the incident types that must be reported, when and to whom.
In order to assist charities that wish to conduct electronic raffles, a list of registered suppliers and their technical solutions is posted on the AGCO website. 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.
An irrevocable standby letter of credit is required for all fixed-prize electronic raffles. For other electronic raffle types, licensing authorities may require a financial guarantee for prizes.
Licensees have the flexibility to sell tickets for an electronic raffle both in person and online. For an electronic raffle that combines both in-person and online sales, such as a 50/50, licensees must conclude the draw before they can open sales at the same venue(s) for another raffle of the same type that combines in-person and online sales.
Licensees may conduct and manage a maximum of four online raffles at the same time. (The term online refers to sales that occur when a customer uses the internet to purchase a ticket.)
There are a number of registered Gaming-Related Suppliers with AGCO-approved electronic raffle solutions that charities may use. Licensees may also develop their own online raffle sales platform. All proposed solutions, including charity-developed sales platforms, are subject to review and approval by the AGCO’s Technical and Laboratory Services.
Licensees may sell electronic raffle tickets at multiple locations where they lease, own or have permission to sell tickets. The following restrictions apply:
Licensees may sell tickets for an electronic raffle over multiple days.
Charities may obtain a licence that permits multiple draws over an extended period, such as during a sports season.