Introduction
The Registrar is appointed under the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario Act, 2019 and has powers and duties under the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and its Regulations. Under section 3.8 of the Gaming Control Act, 1992, the Registrar is authorized to establish certain standards and requirements for the conduct, management and operation of Gaming Sites, lottery schemes or businesses related to a Gaming Site or a lottery scheme or for goods or services related to their conduct, management or operation. The Registrar has established these Electronic Raffle Systems Minimum Technical Standards (Minimum Technical Standards) as the minimum technical requirements an Electronic Raffle System (ERS) must meet for approval by the Registrar for use in the Province of Ontario. These Minimum Technical Standards are based on the principles of technical integrity, public interest and security of the ERS, including their accounting capability.
The development and subsequent revisions of these Minimum Technical Standards are based on a vulnerability-risk analysis of Raffle solutions, and review of other jurisdictions’ technical standards. They reflect typical ERS architecture, Raffle Game design and processes.
These revised Minimum Technical Standards will become effective on January 8, 2025.
From time to time, as necessary, modifications will be made to these Minimum Technical Standards.
Operational Requirements
These Minimum Technical Standards must be considered in conjunction with the Electronic Raffle Operational Terms and Conditions.
Introduction of New Technology in Ontario
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is a modern regulator, committed to ensuring that gaming is carried out in the Province of Ontario in keeping with the principles of technical integrity, security, accounting capability, and the public interest.
Recognizing that the gaming industry continues to evolve and that the introduction of new technologies provides opportunities for regulated entities in Ontario, the AGCO affirms its desire to address new technologies affecting the gaming industry in an efficient and open manner.
Therefore, where a Gaming-Related Supplier or Charity has questions about the application of these standards to new technologies that seem to fall entirely or in part outside of the standards, the AGCO is open to engaging with Gaming-Related Suppliers or Charities to understand the nature of those technologies and how and whether those technologies can be addressed by existing standards, either through their application or through the principles of technical integrity, security, accounting capability, and the public interest.