Did You Know......

A lottery exists if money is paid or some other consideration is given for a chance to win a prize.  This includes draws for baskets, penny sales and fifty-fifty draws.  It is a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada to conduct a lottery scheme without a license. 

To be eligible for lottery licensing, the Applicant must qualify as a Charitable, Religious or Non-profit organization.  The qualifications are as follows:

•a)    The Relief of Poverty
•b)    The Advancement of Education
•c)    The Advancement of Religion
•d)    Other Charitable Purposes Beneficial to the Community

Ineligible Groups:

•a)    Profit making entities
•b)    No charitable mandate i.e.) political, business, administrative, government
•c)    Municipalities, their agencies or departments
•d)    Promotes private benefits to a restricted class of members
•e)    Sub-groups or auxiliaries(must be legally, financially and organizationally independent)
•f)     Fund raising entities that do not have any other programs or services

An organization must be in existence for at least one year before being considered eligible for Lottery Licensing.

What else do I need to know?

All proceeds from lottery events must be deposited into a designated lottery trust account and reported on regularly until all proceeds are spent.

If you are unsure of whether you need a license to conduct your event, please call the Licensing Clerk at (905)835-2901 Extension 121.  Conducting a lottery event without a license can jeopardize future licensing opportunities.


Click here for a copy of the Raffle Lottery Application or Raffle Report