9.1.1.AUTHORITY TO LICENSE BINGO

9.1.1 (A) Provincial licensing authority

The Order-in-Council gives the Registrar sole authority to issue lottery licences allowing eligible organizations to conduct and manage:

• bingo events conducted in conjunction with other licensed lottery events;
• bingo events with prize boards over $5,500;
• bingo events conducted in an unorganized territory, on Crown lands or in some First Nations communities; and
• bingo events where a prize or prizes not awarded at one event may be added to the amount of the prize to be awarded at a subsequent event or events.

9.1.1 (B) Municipal licensing authority

The Order-in-Council authorizes municipalities to issue licences permitting eligible organizations to conduct Regular Bingo games with maximum prize boards of up to $5,500.

9.1.2. BINGO HALL REGISTRATION

The Registrar has established criteria and procedures for opening, upgrading, relocating and reopening bingo halls. 

9.1.2 (A) Bingo locations that must be registered

The Gaming Control Act, 1992, governs the registration of Operators of bingo halls, which include:

• charitable gaming sites where four (4) or more bingo events are conducted in any seven-day period (formerly Class A and Class B bingo halls).
• charitable gaming sites where no more than three (3) events are conducted in any seven-day period (formerly Class C bingo halls).

9.1.2 (A) (I) BINGO LOCATIONS THAT MAY REQUIRE REGISTRATION

Licensees that rent out their premises and/or equipment to another licensee may require registration as prescribed by Regulation.

1. Licensees may not permit their bona fide members or persons acting as runners, cashiers or in other capacities for the licensed organization to play bingo while they are conducting the bingo, or play any other games held in conjunction with their event.
2. Employees who are involved in the conduct of the bingo events, whether they are registered or not, may not play bingo at that hall at any time.
3. Members of a licensee’s Board of Directors, including a HCA, may not personally benefit or profit in any way from a lottery event conducted and managed by the licensee or play bingo at that hall at any time.
4. Bingo hall employees and managers cannot act as bona fide members for the conduct of any licensed bingo event or a break open ticket lottery held in conjunction with the bingo event.

This section contains information on municipally issued licences for the following types of bingo games and events:

1. Regular Bingo
2. Merchandise Bingo
3. Loonie Pot Bingo
4. Decision Bingo
5. Table Board Bingo
6. Media Bingo.

9.3.2 (A) Regular Bingo

Pursuant to the Order-in-Council, a municipality may issue licences allowing eligible charitable organizations to conduct Regular Bingo events with prize boards that do not exceed $5,500.

The licensee’s game schedule may include any combination of fixed prize and variable prize games. Variable prize games must show a minimum and maximum prize payout for each game on the schedule.

If all the games on a licensee’s schedule are variable prize games, the maximum prizes to be awarded cannot exceed 60 per cent of gross sales for each game. The total prizes paid out can never exceed the licensed prize board.

9.3.2 (B) Merchandise Bingo

“Merchandise Bingo” is a bingo game or event where the prize board consists of items of merchandise. An eligible organization may be licensed to conduct Merchandise Bingo as a regular bingo event, as part of a Regular Bingo event or at a “black tie event”.

At a “black tie event”, participants play by invitation only. They pay a fixed amount to participate in the event. The entrance fee covers the cost of playing bingo.

Boards of designated fairs or exhibitions, or concession operators at designated fairs or exhibitions, may apply to the Registrar to conduct Merchandise Bingo events during the fair or exhibition.

See also “Chapter 8: Fair and Exhibition Gaming Event”.

The following licensing policies apply to Merchandise Bingo games conducted as a Regular Bingo event, as part of a regular bingo event or at a “black tie event”:

1. The retail value (including taxes and duties) of the merchandise offered at Merchandise Bingo events cannot exceed $5,500.
2. A receipt or invoice is required for any prize with a retail value of $500 or more, including applicable taxes.
3. The prizes must be awarded without encumbrances of any kind. For example, the prizes cannot be leased.
4. If two or more players have a winning combination on the same number called, the game must continue to a full card. If the game is still tied after a full card has been called, the tied participants must be given new cards to play a supplementary game. The supplementary game must be conducted in the same manner as the tied game, until a winner is declared. These rules must be clearly announced before the game begins.
5. An organization may be licensed for only one Merchandise Bingo event at a time.

9.3.2 (C) Loonie Pot Bingo

A Loonie Pot Bingo is a special, variable prize game within a Regular Bingo game schedule. Bingo patrons pay a dollar to have their bingo paper stamped for the designated Loonie Pot Bingo game. Before the game begins, a number is selected, announced and put back into the machine. If a player with stamped bingo paper calls bingo and their winning number arrangement contains the pre-selected number, they also win the Loonie Pot Bingo prize. (Note that “Loonie Pot Bingo” is different from “Loonie Progressive Bingo”; see “9.4.1(G) Loonie Progressive game”, and “9.4.2(E) Loonie Progressive game” for more information.)

9.3.2 (c) (i) Loonie Pot Bingo licensing

The following licensing policies apply to Loonie Pot Bingo:

1. The maximum prize payout is $100. Any surplus collected for the Loonie Pot Bingo prize becomes part of the net proceeds to be used for the charitable objects or purposes as approved on the application for licence.
2. The licensee must determine which game will be played for the regular game prize plus the Loonie Pot Bingo prize, and must have the game approved by the licensing authority as part of the game schedule.
3. The Loonie Pot Bingo prize cannot be carried over to another bingo event. The licensee must establish a procedure for awarding the Loonie Pot, if the winner of the designated game is not eligible for the Loonie Pot prize.
4. The Loonie Pot Bingo prize must be part of the up to $5,500 prize board for the regular game schedule.
5. Only one Loonie Pot Bingo game is allowed per Regular Bingo event.

6. The terms and conditions for the Regular Bingo and the general licensing policies regarding variable games apply to the Loonie Pot Bingo game.

9.3.2 (D) Decision Bingo

Decision Bingo differs from Regular Bingo in two ways:

• players use chips to purchase bingo paper, and
• during each game, players have the option of ending play or continuing to play by using chips to ante.

Players purchase chips at $0.25 each for (a) buying regular bingo paper in single strips and/or books for an amount authorized by the licensing authority, and (b) upping the ante.

Before the start of each game, the caller announces the number of cards in play. After three numbers have been called, the players must decide whether or not to continue playing. If a player continues, the player must ante one chip ($0.25) after each three numbers have been called. The game continues until a one-line bingo winner is declared. The prize awarded is the total value of the antes received during the game, up to a limit of $100.

9.3.2 (d) (i) Decision Bingo licensing

The following licensing policies apply to Decision Bingo:

1. Municipalities may license Decision Bingo events under a Regular Bingo licence, for prize boards up to $5,500.
2. Decision Bingo may only be played on a program made up entirely of Decision Bingo games.
3. The municipality must issue a licence for a specific time period and must indicate the maximum number of games allowed during that period.
4. Applicants for Decision Bingo licences must submit all documents required for Regular Bingo events.
5. Municipalities may charge a Decision Bingo licence fee of up to three (3) per cent of the maximum prizes to be awarded.
6. Decision Bingo may not be conducted in conjunction with any other bingo event.

• the number of players for each game;
• the number of cards sold for each game; and
• the amount of antes paid for each game.

9.3.2 (E) Table Board Bingo

Table Board Bingo, also known as “shutter board” bingo, is a bingo game played on a mechanical table board bingo device. This device contains permanent bingo cards and shutters. A player marks a number by covering it with a shutter. The prize amount is variable and is determined by the number of boards in play.

A municipality may license an eligible organization to conduct Table Board Bingo as a Regular Bingo event or as part of a Regular Bingo event, where the total prize board for the event does not exceed $5,500.

See “9.4.1(E) Table Board Bingo”, for licences issued by the Registrar.

The following policies apply to municipally issued licences for Regular Bingo events that are made up entirely of Table Board Bingo or include Table Board Bingo games as part of the Regular Bingo prize board:

1. No limit is set on the number of Table Board Bingo games that may be played within a licensed event, provided that the prizes awarded do not exceed the licensed prize amount.
2. If a Regular Bingo event is made up entirely of Table Board Bingo games, the prizes paid out cannot exceed 60 per cent of the gross proceeds for the event, up to a maximum of $5,500. If the municipality has set a lower prize limit for Regular Bingo events, the prizes cannot exceed that amount.
3. Prize amounts for Table Board Bingo games must be based on a percentage of the revenue collected for each game. While the percentage may vary from game to game, the Table Board Bingo prizes paid out cannot exceed 60 per cent of the total revenues collected for the licensed bingo event. The percentage payout for the Table Board Bingo game must be noted on the game schedule and in the licence application.
4. A Table Board Bingo event must be conducted during the time appearing on the licence.
5. A licensee may not hold a Super Jackpot game in conjunction with a Regular Bingo event made up entirely of Table Board Bingo games.
6. All other policies for Regular Bingo events licensed by a municipality, as outlined in Section 9.3.1, apply to Table Board Bingo games.

Pursuant to the Order-in-Council, a municipality may issue licences allowing eligible organizations to conduct a Media Bingo event with prize boards that do not exceed $5,500.

Media Bingo is operated through the public media including radio, newspaper, or television. Media Bingo differs from Regular Bingo in that the licensee may only sell bingo cards that have a clearly visible, consecutively numbered serial number. This is for tracking purposes, as bingo cards are usually distributed to local merchants who sell the bingo cards on behalf of the licensee organization. The licence number must appear on all Media Bingo cards.

Persons who have covered the specified arrangement of numbers required to win would call a local telephone number to register their “bingo” and provide their card to the licensee in order to collect their prize.

Radio Bingo

Games may be aired on the radio in one of two ways:

1. on a half- to one-hour program, where numbers are called and all games are completed during this time period; or
2. for a period of two to four weeks on the radio where a few numbers are drawn and called daily at a specified time (for example, three numbers a day are called until a winner is declared).

Newspaper Bingo

The bingo numbers are published in a local newspaper and run for a period of time, usually two to four weeks in length, with a few called numbers being published each day. The game proceeds until a winner has been declared.

Television Bingo

This type of bingo is usually aired over a local cable television station in a half-hour or hour-long program. The winner is the first person to phone in and claim a bingo during the broadcast.

9.3.2 (f) (i) Media Bingo licensing policies

The following licensing policies apply to Media Bingo:

1. Municipalities may license Media Bingo events for prize boards of up to $5,500.
2. An eligible organization may be licensed for only one Media Bingo event at a time and the licence cannot be issued for more than six (6) months.
3. If a licensee wishes to sell its bingo cards in municipalities outside of the one where the bingo is being managed and conducted, the licensee must obtain a letter of approval from each municipality in which it proposes to sell bingo cards.
4. Licensees must conduct the Media Bingo in accordance with the Media Bingo Licence Terms and Conditions.

2. Only the Registrar may issue a lottery licence for a Special Bingo event. When considering an application, the Registrar takes marketplace conditions into consideration. Licences may only be issued three to four months before the event date.
3. Licences are limited to one (1) licence per 30-day period, per 100-km radius. The 30-day period is not based on the calendar month.
   ​except

• Special Bingo events are limited to one licence per 15 days, per 30-km radius, in the following areas:

  • Durham, York, Peel, Halton, Haldimand-Norfolk, Niagara, Hamilton-Wentworth (known as the Golden Horseshoe), and
  • in the Ottawa-Carleton area, including the amalgamated municipalities of Kanata, Nepean, Ottawa, Vanier and Gloucester.
• Special Bingo events are limited to one licence per 15 days, per 15-km radius in Toronto.

4. Special Bingo events licensed in the Golden Horseshoe or Ottawa-Carleton region will not influence the licensing of events in the adjacent 100-km radius.
5. To be eligible for a Special Bingo licence, an eligible charitable organization cannot have a Regular Bingo licence with event dates within three (3) months (before and after) of the date of a Special Bingo event, regardless of where the Regular Bingo event is held.
6. The licensee is permitted to sell tickets that allow customers to prepay for bingo paper before the date of the event.
7. The Registrar may issue a licence permitting an eligible organization that does not normally conduct Regular Bingo to conduct and manage a Special Bingo event.
8. No more than 12 Special Bingo licences may be issued in each calendar year for events to be conducted and managed in one bingo hall.
9. If the organization licensed to conduct the Special Bingo event agrees, the HCA may conduct and manage bingo games for which it receives licences from the Registrar during the Special Bingo event.
10. Once the Registrar approves a Special Bingo event date, it cannot be changed.
11. The Registrar will authorize one (1) event date per licence.
12. The licensee must provide a letter of credit for all Special Bingo events where the prize board is $10,000 or more. The letter of credit must have an expiry date of at least 45 days after the event date.
13. The Registrar requires a minimum of 45 days to process an application for a Special Bingo event licence.

- A “vertical” licence allows licensees to offer Super Jackpot games only at Regular Bingo time slots that have the same Super Jackpot prize board. With a “vertical” licence, the Super Jackpot is carried over to the next time slot with the same prize board, until it is won. For example, it can be carried over from the 2:00 p.m. slot to the 7:00 p.m. slot, providing they have the same Super Jackpot prize board.

9.4.1 (E) Table Board Bingo

Table Board Bingo may be licensed by the Registrar in one of the two following ways:

1. The Registrar may license HCAs to conduct Table Board Bingo games, in conjunction with a licensed Regular Bingo event. The Table Board Bingo prizes are in addition to the maximum Regular Bingo prize board.
2. The Registrar may license HCAs to conduct Table Board Bingo games in conjunction with Special (Monster) Bingo events. The Table Board Bingo prizes are in addition to the Special (Monster) Bingo prize board.

9.4.1 (e) (i) Provincial licensing policies for Table Board Bingo

The following policies apply to Table Board Bingo events licensed by the Registrar:

1. No limit is set on the number of Table Board Bingo games that may be played under a licence issued in conjunction with a Regular or Special (Monster) Bingo event. However, the total value of the prizes awarded for the Table Board Bingo event cannot exceed 60 per cent of the licensed prize board for the Regular or Special Bingo event.
2. Only one Table Board Bingo event may be licensed per Regular or Special Bingo event time slot.
3. The licensee must offer variable prize amounts for Table Board Bingo games, based on a percentage of the revenue collected for each game. While the percentage may vary within the licensed Table Board Bingo event, the total amount of prizes paid out cannot exceed 60 per cent of the total revenues collected for the event. The percentage for the Table Board Bingo game must be noted in the licence application and on the game schedule.
4. Table Board Bingo games will be licensed for a maximum period of six (6) months.
5. The HCA must apply for and administer the Table Board Bingo licences. The following policies apply:

• A principal officer of each member organization must sign the licence application.
• The HCA must:
  • set up a separate designated lottery trust account to administer Table Board Bingo games;
  • combine the net proceeds from all Table Board Bingo games and divide the proceeds monthly among member organizations on a pro rata basis, determined by the number of regular events held by each organization;
  • maintain a separate ledger for each Table Board Bingo licence;
  • prepare a separate Table Board Bingo report for each Table Board Bingo licence; and
  • submit a monthly Table Board Bingo activity report to the Registrar by the 15th day of the following month.

6. If an HCA is applying to conduct a Table Board Bingo event in conjunction with a Special Bingo event, it must obtain the written support of the Special Bingo licensee.

7. A Table Board Bingo event must be conducted in a fixed time slot. That is, the licensee must hold the event in the same time slot each day and cannot move it to another time slot.
8. A Table Board Bingo event held in conjunction with a Regular or Special Bingo event must be completed during the time allocated for the Regular or Special Bingo event.
9. The Table Board Bingo licence application must specify the days and time slots when each Table Board Bingo event will be conducted.
10. Each Table Board Bingo event must be conducted at the time slot specified on the licence.
11. A licensee may not hold a Super Jackpot game in conjunction with a Regular Bingo event made up entirely of Table Board Bingo games.
12. The prescribed licence fee for Table Board Bingo is payable in the form of a cheque made payable to the Minister of Finance.

9.4.1 (e) (ii) Approved Table Board Bingo devices

The following policies apply to the use of Table Board Bingo devices:

1. Licensees must use Table Board Bingo devices approved by the Registrar, or that meet the criteria established by the Registrar.
2. Licensees must obtain Table Board Bingo devices from Suppliers that are approved by the Registrar and registered under the Gaming Control Act, 1992.

See 9.3.2 (E), “Table Board Bingo,” for information about municipal Table Board Bingo licensing.

9.4.1 (F) Progressive Bingo game

A Progressive Bingo game is a separately licensed bingo game, held in conjunction with a Regular Bingo event, where the prize amount increases from event to event. If the progressive prize is not won at

one event, it is added to the amount of the prize to be awarded at the next Progressive Bingo game. The progressive prize increases at each successive event until the specified limit is reached or until the progressive prize is won.

The licensee must award a consolation prize at every event whether or not the main Progressive Bingo game prize is won. The structure of the consolation prize must be described on the game schedule of the Regular Bingo event during which the Progressive Bingo game will be conducted.

The dollar amounts of the Progressive Bingo game prize and the consolation prize must be announced prior to the commencement of each game.

9.4.1 (G) Loonie Progressive game

The Loonie Progressive game is a separately licensed game that is played during the Regular Bingo event where the prize amount increases from event to event. If the Loonie Progressive game prize is not won, it is added to the amount of the prize to be awarded at the next Loonie Progressive game event. The Loonie Progressive game prize is allowed to increase at each successive event to a maximum of $5,000 or until the prize is won. Players must purchase a Loonie Progressive game ticket and paper for the Regular Bingo event in order to play the Loonie Progressive game. Licensees may offer the Loonie Progressive game in two game formats each of which is governed by its own set of Rules of Play.

9.4.1 (g) (i) Rules of Play

The Loonie Progressive game must be conducted and managed in accordance with the Rules of Play that are attached to and form part of the Loonie Progressive Game Licence Terms and Conditions:

• Loonie Progressive Rules of Play: Game “A”, and
• Loonie Progressive Rules of Play: Game “B”.

9.4.1 (g) (i) 1 Game process: Game A

Prior to the commencement of each licensed Regular Bingo event, a bingo ball is randomly drawn from the bingo blower. The number on the drawn bingo ball becomes known as the “Indicator Number.”

The “Indicator Number” (bingo ball) must be clearly shown and announced to all players in the hall and returned to the bingo blower before the bingo session begins. If the Indicator Number is drawn, the bingo ball drawn immediately after the Indicator Number is the Loonie Progressive game number.

The player or players who have a valid Loonie Progressive Game “A” ticket and complete the specified arrangement of numbers when the Loonie Progressive Game Number is called win the Loonie Progressive Game “A” prize. Whether or not the Loonie Progressive Game “A” prize is won, no amount may be awarded as a consolation prize.

The Loonie Progressive game prize must be calculated and awarded in accordance with the Loonie Progressive Rules of Play Game “A” attached to and forming part of the Loonie Progressive Game Licence Terms and Conditions.

9.4.1 (g) (i) 2 Game process: Game B

In order to play Game B, players must purchase a Loonie Progressive Game “B” ticket. Unlike in Game A, there is no indicator number drawn.

The Loonie Progressive Game “B” prize is awarded to the player who completes the specified arrangement of numbers on the bingo paper within a designated number of calls and has a valid Loonie Progressive Game “B” ticket.

• a letter of support from the local licensing authority;
• copies of the game schedule for the licensed Regular Bingo event in conjunction with which the Loonie Progressive game is to be conducted and managed; and a void cheque from the Loonie Progressive game lottery trust account.

On the financial report licensees are required to specify the ticket numbering system used for the Loonie Progressive Game “B” tickets. Any tickets that are void must be accounted for on the financial report and the original void tickets must be submitted with the financial report.

The following policies apply to an HCA with respect to Loonie Progressive game licences in a non-pooling hall:

• A principal officer from each participating member organization of the HCA must sign the Loonie Progressive game licence application.
• The HCA must use a separate lottery account designated as a “Trust Account” by the bank or other financial institution to administer their Loonie Progressive game licences and use and distribute proceeds in accordance with the banking requirements set out in the Regular and Special Bingo Licence Terms and Conditions.
• The HCA must maintain a separate ledger for each Loonie Progressive game licence.
• In its application, the HCA must specify the days and time slots for each Loonie Progressive game.
• The licensee must conduct and manage the Loonie Progressive game only during the Regular Bingo games specified on the application for licence.
• The HCA must prepare a separate Loonie Progressive game report for each Loonie Progressive game licence.
• The HCA must submit a prescribed financial report to the Registrar by the 15th day of the following month.

9.4.2. PROCEDURES FOR LICENCES ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR

9.4.2 (A) Regular or Special bingos

The following procedures apply to bingo licences issued by the Registrar: Applications must include:

1. A completed application on a form issued by the Registrar, signed by at least one (1) of the designated members-in-charge and two (2) principal officers of the organization.
2. The prescribed licence fee in the form of a cheque made payable to the Minister of Finance.
3. A game schedule outlining:

» the bingo games to be played;

» the winning arrangement of numbers for each game;

» the value of the prize for each game;

» the minimum and maximum payouts for variable prize games;

» the prices of the bingo paper;

» the total value of all prizes offered for the bingo event;

» any special purchase provisions for used bingo paper exchanged for new bingo paper (for example, $0.25 instead of $0.50); and

» the start and end time for the time slot during which the Regular Bingo event and any licensed lottery events/games conducted in conjunction with it will be held.

4. The name and address of the premises where the bingo event is to be held.

First-time applicants must allow a minimum of 45 days for the Registrar to process their licence application.

The Registrar will:

• notify an applicant if its application is deficient, requesting the missing documents; and
• communicate only with the appropriate contact person of the HCA as listed on the application form (for example, a member-in-charge or a principal officer of the HCA), regarding applications, licences and amendments.

9.4.2 (B) Super Jackpot Bingo

Super Jackpot licence applicants must comply with the following procedures:

1. In addition to the requirements for Regular or Special Bingo event licences, applicants for Super Jackpot licences must submit the following information:

• copies of the game schedule for the Regular Bingo event during which the Super Jackpot game will be conducted;
• game schedules of all bingo events licensed in the hall;
• a list of the bingo events during which Super Jackpot games will be played, on a weekly basis, including the day and time of each event, indicating any days the bingo hall will be closed for holidays during the licensing period;
• a list of all organizations that are members of the HCA; and
•  the signature of an authorized principal officer from each member organization, verifying that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Super Jackpot Bingo Terms and Conditions.

2. The Registrar may also request that the HCA submit a copy of its current membership, constitution and bylaws.

9.4.2 (C) Table Board Bingo

Organizations submitting Table Board Bingo applications to the Registrar must comply with the following procedures.

1. In addition to the requirements for Regular or Special Bingo event licences, Table Board Bingo licence applicants must submit the following information:

• copies of the game schedule for the licensed Regular or Special Bingo event specifying:
  • the set percentage used to calculate the variable prizes for the individual Table Board Bingo games;
  • which events are made up entirely or partly of Table Board Bingo games; and
  • the start and end times for the Regular or Special Bingo time slot;
• game schedules for all municipally-licensed bingo events in the hall;
• a list of the bingo events during which Table Board games will be played, on a weekly basis, including the day and time of each event, indicating any days the bingo hall will be closed for holidays during the licensing period; and
• the signature of an authorized principal officer from each member of the HCA verifying that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Table Board Bingo Terms and Conditions.

2. The Registrar may also request that the HCA submit a copy of its current membership, constitution and bylaws.

9.4.2 (D) Progressive Bingo game

Progressive Bingo game licence applicants must comply with the following procedures:

1. In addition to the requirements for Regular or Special Bingo event licences, applications for a Progressive Bingo game licence must also include:

• which Progressive Bingo Game Rules of Play will apply, “A”, “B”, “C” or “D”;
• a list of the days and the time slots when the Progressive Bingo will be conducted;
• copies of the game schedule for the Regular Bingo event during which the Progressive Bingo game will be conducted; and
• the Progressive Bingo game lottery trust account number.

2. Where the application is for Rules of Play “A” the applicant must specify:

3. Where the applicant is an HCA applications must also include:

» a list of all organizations that are members of the association; and

»   the signature of an authorized principal officer from each member organization, verifying that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Progressive Bingo Game Licence Terms and Conditions.

4. The Registrar may also request that an HCA submits a copy of its current membership, constitution and bylaws.

9.4.2 (E) Loonie Progressive game

1. Applications for a Loonie Progressive game licence must include:

• a completed application on a form issued by the Registrar, signed by at least one of the designated members-in-charge and two principal officers of the organization;
• the licence fee in the form of a cheque made payable to the Minister of Finance;
• the name and address of the premises where the Loonie Progressive game event is to be held;
• a list of all Regular Bingo session start times at which the Loonie Progressive game will be conducted;
• copies of the game schedule for the Regular Bingo event, clearly identifying those games where the Loonie Progressive game will be managed and conducted.

2. Where the applicant is an individual charity the application must also include the account number of the designated bingo trust account that will be used to administer the game.
3. Where the applicant is an HCA in a non-pooling bingo hall applications must also include:

• a list of all organizations that are members of the association;
• the account number of the designated Loonie Progressive game lottery trust account; and
• the signature of an authorized principal officer from each participating member organization, verifying that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply with the Progressive Bingo Game Licence Terms and Conditions.

4. First-time applicants must also include:

• a sample copy of the two-part Loonie Progressive game ticket; and
• a void cheque from the trust account that will be used to administer the Loonie Progressive game.

5. For reporting purposes:

• a separate Loonie Progressive game report must be prepared for each Loonie Progressive game licence; and
• the ticket numbering system used on the Loonie Progressive game ticket must be submitted with the financial report. Any tickets that are void must be accounted for on the financial report and the original void tickets must be submitted with the financial report.

9.5.1 (A) Super Ball Bingo

Super Ball Bingo is a Regular Bingo game where the prize value is based on a dollar amount multiplied by the number called from a designated ball.

Super Ball Bingo may only be licensed if:

1. the prize value is based on an amount multiplied by a number drawn and called before the game starts; or
2. before the game starts, the caller announces:

» a minimum and maximum potential prize payout, and

» the rules for determining the prize (for example, an amount multiplied by the last or first number called).

9.5.1 (B) “Pay as you play” bingo

“Pay as you play” bingo (or “walk-in” bingo) refers to a way of playing bingo, rather than a specific type of game. At “pay as you play” bingo, patrons purchase bingo paper for only the games they wish to play and are not required to buy bingo paper for the whole event.

“Pay as you play” bingo games may be licensed, provided the following conditions are met:

1. The bingo games must be conducted and managed according to a structured game schedule that includes a cap on the prizes to be awarded for each game.
2. The licensee must set up internal financial controls to reconcile all the transactions involved in the conduct of the bingo event.

4. The licensee is responsible for the following financial functions:

» supervising the handling of all revenues generated from its own licensed events;

» paying expenses, including hall rental, advertising and reimbursement for bona fide member expenses; and

» setting up and maintaining the lottery trust account(s), including depositing all incoming monies.

5. The licensee is responsible for creating an official record of the game by recording the numbers called. The numbers may be recorded by electronic verifying equipment, videotaping or handwriting.
6. The licensee must resolve any conflicts by referring to the official record.

9.6.1 (B) Tasks that may be carried out by the Operator

1. The Operator of the bingo hall may prepare a draft game schedule, suggested prize allocation and suggested bingo paper prices for review and final approval by the licensee.
2. Bingo hall employees may check and validate a patron’s bingo paper once “bingo” has been called. However, the licensee’s designated person in charge is responsible for making the decision to recognize a winner, including in the case of a dispute, as outlined in Section 9.6.1 (a)(6).
3. The Operator may place bingo paper orders, store bingo paper and monitor inventory.
4. In addition, the licensee may delegate the following responsibilities to the Operator:

» selling bingo paper and tracking sales;

» cash counting and reconciliation; and

» responding to customer complaints.

9.6.2. STAFFING BINGO EVENTS

Each licensee is responsible for deciding how to staff its bingo events, as long as the minimum of three (3) bona fide members of the licensed organization are present to conduct and manage the event.

1. In addition to three (3) bona fide members, licensees may staff their events with any combination of:

1. bona fide members and full-time employees of the charitable organization:
   • The organization’s full-time employees may volunteer to assist at bingo events, provided that their primary duty is not providing gaming services.
2. employees of the bingo hall:
   • The organization may negotiate with the Operator to provide registered staff for certain services such as calling the game or selling break open tickets.
3. runners employed by the bingo hall:
   • The licensee may choose to negotiate with the Operator to provide all the runners. In this case, the licensee and the Operator may share the staffing costs for the runners as permitted by the terms and conditions.
4. volunteers, who may be members of the licensees in the HCA or family, friends or volunteers from other member organizations, who receive no reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

The licensee must keep a minimum of 60 per cent of the Base Amount and pay the Operator either a maximum of 40 per cent of the Base Amount, or up to 15 per cent of the gross receipts, whichever is less.

9.6.3 (B) Where the Operator supplies only the runners or only the bingo caller

The licensee must keep a minimum of 60 per cent of the Base Amount and pay the Operator either a maximum of 40 per cent of the Base Amount or 14 per cent of the gross receipts, whichever is less.

9.7.3. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION CONTENT

The content of all bingo advertising and promotion, including graphics, must comply with the policies outlined in “3.3.2. Advertising Content guidelines”, and the policies listed below:

1. All “event specific” advertising must state:

» the name of the eligible charitable organization conducting the event, and

» the lottery licence number(s).

2. Licensees must not combine prize values for more than one event to create the impression of a large single prize board.
3. The terms and conditions of the licence prohibit promotional or advertising material on bingo paper, unless it promotes the licensee and is placed by the licensee.

9.7.4. JOINT MARKETING PLANS

The licensees in an HCA may decide to market their events together or in conjunction with the Operator of the bingo hall. Each licensee who wishes to participate must consent in writing to the marketing plan. Licensees may develop only one joint marketing plan per hall. A licensee may choose to opt out of the joint marketing plan and conduct its own advertising and promotion.

The licensees must develop a joint marketing plan through the HCA. If the Operator is sharing the cost of the plan, the Operator will be involved in the development of the plan as well.

The joint marketing plan must outline:

• the proposed advertising and promotion plans;
• the estimated timeline for implementation;
• the projected costs;
• the cost sharing proposal; and
• a description of the expected outcome or benefit of each proposed activity.

Joint advertising costs must be shared between the HCA and the Operator on a 60/40 (HCA/ Operator) basis. The licensee or HCA must contribute its 60 per cent from the up to two (2) per cent it is allowed to spend for advertising. The two (2) per cent must cover the total amount of a licensee’s advertising and promotional activity, including amounts spent independently or jointly.

See “9.7.5. Setting aside funds for advertising and promotion” for further information.

9.7.5 (A) Licensees

Licensees may set aside an amount of up to two (2) per cent of the Regular Bingo and Table Board Bingo prize board for advertising and promotion activities and up to two (2) per cent of the actual prizes awarded from their Super Jackpot, Progressive Bingo Game and Loonie Progressive Game events.

Members of the HCA who are participating in the joint marketing plan as described in 9.7.4 must submit the agreed upon amounts to the HCA.

Licensees who participate in joint advertising may also conduct their own independent advertising plan, provided they have funds remaining within the allowable limits.

9.7.5 (B) Operators of bingo halls

No limit has been set on the amount an Operator of a bingo hall can spend on its own independent advertising and promotional activities.

When an Operator is participating in joint advertising and/or promotion with an HCA, the Operator’s contribution is limited to 40 per cent of the entire cost of the activities.

9.7.6. DESIGNATED TRUST ACCOUNT FOR ADVERTISING EXPENSES

Licensees who advertise and promote their events independently must deposit funds, up to the prescribed limits, in a separate designated trust account used solely for advertising expenses. Each licensee member of an HCA must submit a report to the HCA outlining:

• the cost of advertising and promotion in the previous quarter;
• the amount of money remaining in the account; and
• a plan for returning excess funds to the licensee’s lottery trust account and to the Operator of the bingo hall.

9.7.7 (A) Hall Charities Associations (HCAs)

HCAs must provide member organizations and the Operator of the bingo hall with a quarterly report, including:

• total advertising and promotion expenditures during the previous quarter;
• total disbursements of unused funds returned to the member organizations and the Operator during the quarter;
• the total remaining accumulated advertising and promotion funds; and
• plans for returning excess funds to the member organizations and the Operator, if required.

At any time, an HCA may return accumulated, unused advertising and promotion funds to the Operator and licensees. The amount returned must be based on the amounts contributed by the individual licensees and the Operator.

9.7.7 (B) Licensees

Licensees who are carrying out independent advertising and promotion activities must submit quarterly reports on these activities to the HCA.

9.7.8. BINGO ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION ACTIVITIES

9.7.8 (A) Giveaways

Licensees and Operators may offer giveaways of non-gaming products to customers and prospective customers. The following policies apply to giveaways:

• A giveaway may be in the form of a coupon that may be redeemed for merchandise or a discount on an item. Coupons cannot be redeemed for cash.
• Any restrictions on the redemption of a coupon, such as when or what it may be redeemed for, must be stated on the coupon.
• Items to be used as giveaways may be donated by third parties (someone other than the licensee or the Operator) in exchange for promotional considerations only. No other forms of payment are permitted.

• Only licensees may stage promotional contests in the form of a bingo or break open ticket game;
• Operators may host other types of promotional contests including those that extend across more than one bingo hall.

A third party or an Operator may donate prizes to be given away as part of an Operator or licensee- run promotional contest in exchange for promotional consideration only. No other form of payment is permitted. Operators and licensees may not contract with a third party to offer inducements, such as gifts or the chance to receive a gift, to play games of chance. Operators and licensees must ensure that all promotional contests comply with the relevant municipal, provincial and federal legislation.

9.7.8 (C) Customer loyalty programs

9.7.8 (c) (i) Programs

Operators and/or licensees may establish customer loyalty programs that reward customers for their patronage, based on the frequency of their visits. A “visit” is defined as one session of not less than 1.5 hours. Customers may redeem their accumulated loyalty points for rewards in the form of giveaways of non-gaming products. Customer loyalty points cannot be redeemed for cash.

If customer loyalty programs are part of a joint marketing plan between licensees and the Operator of the bingo hall, the licensees’ share of the costs, including administration and rewards, must fall within the prescribed limits for advertising and promotion.

Customer loyalty programs may be shared across charitable gaming sites, including those belonging to different Operators, and across geographic/municipal boundaries.

If the organization discontinues the program or ceases operation, the program will constitute a liability, based upon points and/or rewards earned by customers. An organization offering a customer loyalty program must be able to fund this liability.

Customer loyalty programs must be pre-approved by the Registrar in writing. Licensees and/or Operators must submit a detailed proposal containing:

• a description of how the program will function;
• the role and responsibilities of each party participating in the program;
• a description of how the points will be tracked (for example, manually or through an automated tracking system);
• a detailed description of each reward, its retail dollar value and its designated point value;
• the redemption value of each point awarded;
• a plan for funding the liability, in the event of a closure or bankruptcy;
• the proposed cost sharing arrangement, if any, between the Operator and licensees/HCA; and
• the written agreement of the Operator and/or HCA.

9.7.8 (c) (ii) Customer tracking systems

Licensees and Operators may use customer tracking systems to record the information necessary to operate their customer loyalty programs. The tracking system may be as simple as punch cards or as sophisticated as electronic cards. In most cases, the suppliers of the customer tracking systems will not be required to register under the Gaming Control Act, 1992. However, the Registrar may require that a supplier be registered under the Act in order to contract with an Operator and/or licensee to track points or guarantee liability.

The Registrar will make registration decisions on a case-by-case basis, prior to granting program approval. Also, at any time the Registrar may require that a supplier be registered.

9.7.8 (D) Direct mail to existing customers

Licensees and Operators may use direct mail advertising to communicate with existing customers only. The mail must be addressed to the intended recipient. The licensees/ Operator must compile a formal mailing list of the names and addresses of actual customers at that bingo hall. The list must be available for inspection by the licensing authority.

9.7.8 (E) Gift certificates

Licensees and Operators may sell gift certificates or offer them as promotional items. These gift certificates may only be redeemable for cash or non-gaming products. Each gift certificate must state its restrictions, such as what it may be redeemed for, when it may be used and its expiry date. The cost of a gift certificate must be the same as its redemption value.

Gift certificates produced by a licensee may only be sold during that licensee’s events. This must be stated on the certificate.

As gift certificates are the equivalent of cash, they represent a liability for the issuing organization. Licensees and Operators must:

• reserve sufficient funds to redeem all gift certificates in circulation;
• set up accounting practices and procedures to ensure that their financial statements reflect gift certificates in circulation; and
• institute security measures, such as serial numbers and original signatures, to validate gift certificates.

Licensees and Operators who intend to sell gift certificates must develop a policy outlining:

• how the program will operate;
• the security measures;
• restrictions on redemption;
• a plan to address liability for outstanding gift certificates; and
• any other outstanding issues.

While the Registrar does not have to approve the policy or the accounting measures in advance, the licensee or Operator must be able to provide them for inspection or audit purposes.

9.7.8 (F) Advertising outside the bingo hall

The Registrar permits three types of advertising outside the bingo hall:

1. Shared cost/joint event-specific and non–event specific advertising
2. Non–event specific only advertising
3. Event-specific only advertising

9.7.8 (f) (i) Shared cost/joint event-specific and non–event specific advertising

For advertising that contains both event-specific and non–event specific advertising, a licensee or an HCA may share the cost with an Operator of a bingo hall. Such advertising may contain, for example, information about specific games to be played and general information about the hall, including promotional activities.

When licensees or HCAs and Operators wish to engage in such joint advertising, they must develop a joint marketing plan, as outlined in Section 9.7.4. and make it available upon request by a licensing authority.

9.7.8 (f) (ii) Non–event specific only advertising

Operators and licensees/HCAs may engage in non–event specific advertising, either jointly or independently.

9.7.8 (f) (iii) Event-specific only advertising

Only licensees, either individually or through a HCA, may engage in event-specific only advertising.

Up to one (1) per cent of the gross Super Jackpot receipts, break open ticket receipts, Table Board Bingo receipts, Progressive Bingo game receipts, Loonie Progressive game receipts and up to one (1) percent of the gross pooled bingo receipts may be used to pay for bookkeeping and administrative costs, (including HST) associated with each type of lottery. The HCA must pay for these costs from the HCA’s share of the net proceeds. Only actual expenses may be charged. The one (1) per cent is a maximum allowable expense and must be supported by invoices. Funds to pay for administrative costs may not be pooled into a separate account.

The HCA cannot pay any of the one (1) per cent allowed for bookkeeping and administrative tasks to:

• Operators of bingo halls;
• any individuals or companies that do not operate at arm’s length from the Operator;
• members of the HCA’s Board of Directors; or
• cover legal fees.

9.8.1 (C) Transportation to bingo events

Operators and licensees may contract with transportation companies to bring customers to a bingo hall only under special circumstances and with the prior written approval of the licensing authority. The following policies apply to transportation to bingo halls:

• Both the licensee and the Operator of the bingo hall should agree that there is a need to arrange and provide the transportation;
• Where the route crosses one or more municipal boundary, all municipalities involved must approve this arrangement in writing;
• Transportation arrangements for a licensee may only be approved on an event-by- event basis;
• Operators and licensees may not compensate transportation providers on the basis of the number of players brought to the hall, the amount the players spend or lose, or the amount of time spent in the hall;
• Operators and licensees may provide directly to passengers coupons, contest entries, or other in-hall giveaways;
• Under no circumstances can transportation providers sell gaming products or provide a “package deal” that includes gaming products; and
• Transportation providers such as buses and taxis that deal directly with the public for the sole purpose of picking customers up, taking them to the bingo hall and returning them at the end of the evening do not require municipal pre-approval unless there are other restrictions that the municipality has imposed.