What is the Social Gaming Licence?

The Social Gaming Licence is a new, free licence for casual social gaming activities, like cribbage, bridge, or bingo. The licence is broadly intended for social and service clubs, community and seniors’ groups, organizations, individual applicants or charities that host casual social gaming events in public places.

How can the Social Gaming Licence be Used?

The licence can be used for a variety of games that are commonly played. Casino games are not permitted. This licence provides community groups, seniors’ groups, social and service clubs with greater flexibility when conducting small stakes social gaming events.

Under the new social gaming licence, bet limits on social games may not exceed $2 per person and total cash prizes awarded for all gaming activities must not exceed $500 per calendar day. These limits are prescribed by the Criminal Code of Canada.

How can I get a Social Gaming Licence?

Those interested may apply for the licence through the iAGCO online portal. As part of the straightforward application process, the licence will be issued immediately provided the application is complete and meets all requirements.

Organizations are limited to one licence for social gaming at any time and may not hold multiple licences on any calendar day or at any location. The licence is valid for 12 months and can be used for multiple events over the course of a year.

What are the Rules Around the Social Gaming Licence?

No fees, entrance or admission may be charged. The Social Gaming Licence is intended for casual social games where the total wagers are awarded to the winners, less permitted expenses. The licensee is permitted to recover up to $50 per day to cover expenses for event costs only. Fundraising is not the purpose of the licence and the licence is not for conducting games as a revenue source for applicants.

No one under the age of 18 is allowed to participate, games are not permitted to be played on or through an electronic device, and rules of play must be readily available to all players. The licensee must produce the licence on demand.  

This licence cannot take place in liquor licensed premises. However, Service Clubs and service organizations will be permitted to obtain a Social Gaming Licence even if they hold a liquor licence.

The licensee is responsible and accountable for the overall conduct and management of the Social Gaming event(s). The licensee must control and decide all operational and administrative requirements related to the conduct of the social gaming event(s) in accordance with the information supplied on the application and approved by the licence.

The licensee must comply with all federal, provincial, and municipal laws including the Criminal Code of Canada and the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and Regulations.

For More Information:

Line of Business: 
Lottery and Gaming

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