Lottery Licenses

Charitable gaming refers to lottery schemes permitted by a license under the Criminal Code of Canada. A lottery is defined as "any time consideration is paid for a chance to win a prize" where consideration (cash) is paid for a chance (ticket/card) to win a prize.

These may include bingos, raffles, break-open tickets, and Monte Carlo events held by charitable and religious organizations.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for administering the lottery licensing program in the province - municipalities are partners with the AGCO in issuing lottery licenses to eligible charitable and religious organizations.

Apply for a lottery license

Application forms and all required documentation may be submitted in person to the Township Clerk at the Township Office from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

Canada's Criminal Code permits charitable and religious organizations to conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds once a license is issued. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to provide programs for:

• relief of poverty;
• advancement of education;
• advancement of religion;
• other charitable purposes beneficial to the community

The following pre-requisites are mandatory to be considered eligible for a lottery license:

• Organizations must be in existence for at least one (1) year.
• The organization must have a place of business in Ontario; demonstrate that is established to provide charitable services, in Ontario, and use proceeds for objects or purposes that benefit Ontario residents.
• The Township of South-West Oxford will only issue a lottery license to an organization that operates charitable facilities or programs within the County of Oxford.

The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:

• The mandate of the organization is set out in its incorporation documents or documents stating the organization's objectives.
• The objects of the organization as described in its application for license.
• The services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community.

• social clubs
• professional associations, unions, employee groups
• elected representative groups including municipal, regional, provincial, and federal governments (including Committees of Council)
• government ministries, agents, or bodies
• political lobby groups
• political parties
• adult hobby groups
• private sports club (e.g., golf/curling)
• adult sports teams
• individual youth sports teams

If one of these groups wishes to raise funds to donate to charities, it must become recognized as a charitable organization with an established charitable mandate, either through incorporation or by constitution and by-laws, and apply for lottery licenses to be used for projects or donations that are consistent with its charitable mandate.

Proceeds from lotteries must be used for a charitable or religious objects or purpose only, and be used within the Province of Ontario

Eligible uses of proceeds must be:

• in themselves charitable and advance the charitable purposes or objects of the organization;

• used for the direct delivery of the charitable purposes or objects of the organization; and

• directed toward specific segments of the Ontario community or residents of Ontario with a common need.

A proposed use of lottery proceeds is ineligible if:

• it provides a personal benefit or gain to the members of the applicant organization;

• it supports tourism or other purely economic benefits;

• it advances a particular political issue;

• it enhances lands and buildings owned and/or operated by a government;

• it is a responsibility that has traditionally been fulfilled by a government; or

• it funds activities that do not fall within one of the four charitable classifications.

For more information on Lottery Licensing eligibility, please view the AGCO's Lottery Licensing Policy Manual, available here.