Lottery Licencing | Town of Fort Erie

General Lottery Information

Welcome to the Town of Fort Erie's Lottery Licensing Hub, where you can find all the necessary information to facilitate lottery events within our community. Whether you're hosting a charitable raffle, a 50/50 draw, or another lottery-type event, it is crucial to adhere to local and provincial regulations to ensure a seamless process.

Lottery activities in Fort Erie are governed by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG) and the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), and organizers must obtain the appropriate licences before conducting any lottery events.

What is a Lottery?

In simple terms, a lottery scheme may be defined as any scheme that has the following three components:

a prize;
a chance (to win the prize); and
consideration or a fee.

Therefore, a lottery scheme exists if money is paid or some other consideration is given for a chance to win a prize.

Types of Lottery Schemes

Raffles

Araffleis a lottery scheme where tickets are sold for a chance to win a prize in a draw. The different types of raffle schemes are usually identified by the method of determining the winner. Raffle prizes may consist of merchandise or cash, or a combination of thetwo.

Some types of raffles include:

Stub Draws
Elimination Draws
50/50 Draws
Calendar Draws
Catch the Ace Draws

The Community Gaming Development Corporation (CGDC) provides licences for paper-based raffles with prizes up to $50,000 to eligible non-profit charitable organizations.

Raffle Application

Raffle Report Form

Illegal Lottery Scheme examples:

Lottery schemes that benefit an individual or individuals that are not themselves a charitable organization (i.e. Stag and Does)
Lottery schemes that are run by individuals that are not part of a charitable organization (i.e. an individual runs a 50/50 in support of a local charity)
Lottery schemes that are run by businesses or other for-profit entities

For paper-based raffles with prizes over $50,000 and all electronic raffles, contact theAlcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Break-Open Ticket or Nevada Ticket Sales

Break open tickets(BOTs) are instant-win lottery tickets, commonly known as pull tab or Nevada tickets.

In order to be approved for sale in Ontario, all break open tickets must comply with the Registrar’s requirements and standards related to break open tickets, includingthe Break Open Ticket Licence Terms and Conditions.

Break Open Ticket Application

Break Open Ticket Report Form

Bingo or cGaming

cGaming is the conversion of paper based bingo halls to cGaming Centres that offer, in addition to classic bingo games (such as paper bingo, paper break-open tickets and instant tickets), a wide variety of modern games with innovative technology and graphics, such as eBingo, Tap Tix electronic break-open tickets and Play on Demand (POD) games.

Charitable, non-profit and/or religious organizations can apply to participate at one of the two cGaming Centres located in Fort Erie, and obtain a share of the net proceeds raised.

Application Process

Who can obtain a lottery licence?

To be eligible to receive a lottery licence, an organization must first have charitable objects and purposes that fall within one of the four classifications of charitability:

the relief of poverty
the advancement of education
the advancement of religion
other charitable purposes beneficial to the community, not falling under (a), (b) or(c).

How does an organization obtain a licence?

All first time applicants, must complete an eligibility review prior to applying.

Eligibility Form

When submitting an application for the first time, please include -

a copy of your letters patent
a copy of your constitution and by-laws
a copy of your charitable registration (if applicable)
current membership list
a budget for the current year
a copy of your most recent financial statement (must be prepared by a public accountant)
a current board of directors list

Applications, Terms & Conditions for break open ticket and raffles licences are attached to the relevant section.

If you have any questions or need assistance regarding lottery licencing please contact:

Alexandria Russell, Coordinator of Gaming and Financial Compliance

Town of Fort Erie

(905) 871-1600 ext. 2542

arussell@forterie.ca