We get our authority to issue lottery licences from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). We share responsibility with the AGCO to issue licences to eligible charities and religious organizations. Your organization may raise money through licensed lotteries. 

We may attach terms and conditions to your lottery Licence. The AGCO's Lottery Licensing Policy Manual can help you understand the legal reasoning and procedures for lottery licencing.

How to apply

You can get an application form from our Administrative Assistant by email or by calling 519-785-0560 ext. 200. You must submit your lottery licence application to us 10 days before your lottery takes place.

You must submit your application 30 days before your lottery takes place, for lottery licences issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). If it is your first lottery, you must submit your application 45 days before the event.

Eligibility

We only issue lottery licences to eligible charities and religious organizations. Your organization must work to do one of the following, in order to be considered charitable:

• Relieve poverty;
• Advance education;
• Advance religion;
• Benefit the community in a charitable way.

Your organization must have a place of business in Ontario and be at least one year old to get a lottery licence.

Contact our Administrative Assistant by email or call 519-785-0560 ext. 200 if you have questions about your organization's eligibility for a lottery licence.

Types of lottery licences

We can issue the following types of lottery licences:

• Bingo events with prize boards of up to $5,500;
• Media bingo events with prizes of up to $5,500;
• Break open tickets for local organizations;
• Raffle lotteries with total prizes of $50,000 and under;
• Bazaar lotteries which include: wheels of fortune with a maximum bet of $2, raffles not exceeding $500, and bingo events up to $500.