1. What is a Catch the Ace progressive raffle?

    A progressive, multiple-draw raffle lottery in which participants purchase tickets for a chance to win:

    The person who holds the winning ticket selected in each draw has an opportunity to select one playing card from the single deck. If the Ace of Spades is selected, in addition to winning a percentage of the proceeds from the draw, the person will win the progressive jackpot.

    If the card selected is not the Ace of Spades,  the selected card is removed from the  deck and the progressive prize portion of the ticket sales for that draw is  rolled over into the progressive jackpot for the next scheduled draw.

    The lottery continues until such time as the Ace of Spades has been selected and the progressive jackpot has been awarded. At that point, the event and licence is concluded. If the licensee wishes to conduct another Catch the Ace event, a new licence must be obtained.

    1. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of tickets for one draw ; and
    2. The opportunity to win a progressive jackpot by selecting a card from a standard deck of 52 playing cards.    
  2. Why is the game available in Ontario?

The Catch the Ace pilot illustrates and supports the AGCO’s commitment to modernizing the Charitable Gaming industry.

This is a direct response to consultations with Charitable Gaming stakeholders and is intended to provide charities with the possibility of making use of an additional lottery scheme and greater flexibility in the raising of funds

The AGCO is working closely with stakeholders to evaluate the pilot before a decision is made to make progressive raffles permanently available.

  1. Why is the name of the raffle different from Eastern Canada Chase the Ace?
  2. The Registrar of Alcohol, Gaming and Racing has decided to call this style of progressive raffle Catch the Ace based on stakeholder consultation.

  3. Who can apply for a licence to manage and conduct a progressive raffle lottery?

    The Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming (or such persons as he or she may appoint), and municipal council has the authority to issue licences to charitable or religious organizations to conduct and manage raffles of this nature.

    Therefore, eligible charitable and religious organizations may apply for a licence as a way to raise funds through provincially or municipally licensed lottery events.

  4. How does a charity apply and where?

    Municipal Licensing Authorities may issue licences for Catch the Ace events with a prize board up to $50,000. As part of the application process, applicants will submit a proposed draw schedule and sales plan outlining the maximum sales and prizes per draw to ensure the cumulative prizes do not exceed $50,000 for the licence period.

    The Registrar of Alcohol, Gaming and Racing may issue licences for Catch the Ace events with a prize board over $50,000. As part of the application process, applicants will submit a proposed draw schedule along with a safety and security plan outlining the controls that will be put in place as the progressive prize amount grows. Potential controls include, but are not limited to, how the applicant plans to accommodate increased traffic at the draw venue, the potential for increased attendance and how the money from ticket sales will be secured.

  5. How is the prize split?

    For the purposes of the pilot, the prize split is as follows:

    • 20% is for the draw prize
    • 30% is allocated to the progressive prize
    • 50% is the charity’s gross revenue.
  6. Is this type of raffle licensed by the Province only or can the municipality license them? And if so, how does the municipality license it if they don’t know if the progressive amount will be over $50,000?

    Both the Province and the municipality can license this type of raffle. In order to receive a licence for Catch the Ace from a municipality, charities must ensure that the overall prizeboard will not exceed $50,000.  This will be achieved by providing a schedule of events which outlines gross sales per draw.

  7. Does the winner have to be present to collect their prize and pick a card from the deck, regardless of whether they use stub tickets or roll tickets?

    The bearer of the ticket must be present for draws when using roll tickets, also known as double-numbered tickets.

    Licensees using stub tickets may consider other options in the Rules of Play.

  8. As this is a progressive game do the tickets purchased each night stay in for the draw the following week?

    No, tickets are sold for a single draw. After the draw is completed, the non-winning tickets are removed from the container, kept for the prescribed time and then destroyed.

    The licensee will sell a new batch of tickets for each subsequent draw.

  9. What are the rules, requirements and regulations?

    For more information on the rules, requirements and regulations of managing and conducting a progressive raffle, please use this link to Information Bulletin 89.

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