How to Qualify for a Charitable Gaming License in Ontario

To qualify for a charitable gaming licence in Ontario, our organization must show that it operates for charitable or religious purposes and uses any proceeds accordingly.

The key requirement is obtaining charitable gaming eligibility (CGE), which confirms this status and lets us apply for a lottery licence needed to hold gaming events legally.

We apply through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) or the appropriate municipality, depending on location and event type.

Knowing the correct licensing authority and following the right application steps helps us stay compliant and ensures a smooth process.

Getting our CGE number and lottery licence lets us run charitable gaming events like bingo, raffles, or break open tickets.

Once licensed, we must follow AGCO rules, manage events properly, and submit required reports.

Understanding Charitable Gaming Licences in Ontario

Charitable gaming licences let eligible groups conduct specific gaming activities to raise funds.

These licences cover events like raffles, bingos, and break-open tickets.

The rules define which activities qualify and who oversees licensing to ensure legal compliance.

What Constitutes Charitable Gaming

Charitable gaming means holding gaming events where proceeds support charitable or religious causes.

Only charities, religious groups, and eligible nonprofits can apply for licences.

The money raised must go toward charitable purposes, not personal gain.

Examples include supporting community programs, health services, or religious activities.

The gaming activity must be conducted legally, with fair management and clear reporting.

This ensures funds raised benefit the intended cause.

Types of Charitable Gaming Activities

In Ontario, licensed charitable gaming includes several approved activities:

• Bingos – games held in community halls or centres
• Raffles – ticket draws with prizes for winners
• Break-open tickets – scratch cards sold for instant prizes
• Special occasion events – one-time activities like blackjack or wheels of fortune during community gatherings

Each activity has specific rules and fees.

For example, raffle licences may require submitting sample tickets before approval.

Understanding which activity fits our fundraising needs helps us choose the correct licence type.

Who Regulates Charitable Gaming

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) regulates charitable gaming licences.

AGCO reviews applications, issues licences, and monitors events to ensure compliance with provincial laws.

Municipalities may also have roles, depending on location and prize amounts.

Sometimes, local authorities issue licences or permits instead of AGCO.

Knowing the right licensing authority helps us avoid delays and stay compliant with regulations.

Eligibility Criteria for Charitable Gaming Licences

To get a charitable gaming licence in Ontario, organizations must meet specific standards.

These include having a clear charitable purpose, fitting into accepted organization types, and avoiding common disqualifiers.

Meeting these criteria ensures the licence supports charitable activities properly.

What Makes an Organization Eligible?

To qualify, your organization must:

• Have existed for at least one year in Ontario.
• Have a physical location in Ontario.
• Use funds for charitable purposes that help Ontario residents.

Your purpose must fall under one of these four categories:

1. Helping those in need (poverty relief)
2. Supporting education
3. Advancing religion
4. Other activities that benefit the community

What Documents Do You Need?

When applying, you’ll need to submit:

• Incorporation papers & bylaws
• Financial statements & budget
• List of your board of directors

Details on your programs & how funds are used

Proof of charitable registration (if applicable)

Where to Apply

• AGCO (Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario) handles most applications.
• Municipalities or First Nations may issue licenses depending on your location, prize amount, and lottery type.

Need help with your application? Check with AGCO or your local municipality for specific guidelines.

Charitable Purposes Recognized in Ontario

Our activities must be for charitable purposes accepted by Ontario authorities.

Funds raised need to be used for public benefit, such as helping the community, supporting health, education, or poverty relief.

Funds from gaming events must directly support these purposes.

Using proceeds for personal profit or unrelated goals disqualifies the organization.

Valid uses include funding social programs, maintaining charitable operations, or supporting local community services.

Qualifying Organization Types

We must operate as a recognized type of organization.

Eligible groups include registered charities, religious organizations, non-profit groups with at least a year of active charitable work, or other community service providers.

Our organization needs documented proof of operations and a history showing charitable work for at least 12 months before applying.

We cannot apply if we are for-profit businesses, political groups, or organizations without clear charitable objectives.

Common Disqualifiers

Certain factors can disqualify us from getting a licence.

These include using lottery proceeds for personal gain or political activities.

Organizations without a clear charitable purpose or less than one year of operation are excluded.

Failing to provide required documentation or having a history of misusing funds will prevent approval.

We must avoid conflicts of interest and ensure transparency to meet eligibility rules.

Required Documentation and Information

To apply for a charitable gaming licence in Ontario, we need specific documents proving our eligibility, legal status, and operational plans.

These documents show we meet the rules and can manage gaming activities properly.

Essential Supporting Documents

We must provide official documents that identify our organisation and its leadership.

This usually includes a copy of our letters patent or incorporation certificate and a list of board members or directors with contact details.

A current criminal record check for key officials may be required to ensure integrity.

We also need proof of our organisation’s address and a description of the gaming event or lottery type.

We should submit any agreements with venues or partners involved in hosting the event.

Proof of Charitable Status

Proving our charitable status is critical.

We must provide a valid charitable registration number issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

This confirms our organisation is legally recognised as a charity.

If we are a religious organisation, we must submit documentation confirming this status.

This ensures the proceeds from gaming activities are used only for charitable or religious purposes as required by law.

Financial and Operational Details

Our application must include a budget or financial plan showing how funds raised will be handled.

This includes expected expenses, prize amounts, and how net proceeds will help our charitable work.

We also need to describe our internal controls for managing the gaming event.

This covers financial record-keeping, ticket sales, cash handling, and event management procedures.

Clear plans for reporting and accountability show we can comply with regulations and licensing requirements.

Application Process for a Charitable Gaming Licence

To get a charitable gaming licence in Ontario, we first confirm our organization is eligible.

This involves preparing documents and submitting them as required.

After submitting, we wait for a review and decision.

Completing the Eligibility Application

The first step is applying for charitable gaming eligibility (CGE).

This shows if our organization qualifies to hold lottery events.

We must be a registered charity or religious group, and our proceeds need to serve charitable or religious purposes.

We gather all required documents, such as proof of registration, a governing document, and details about how funds will be used.

If this is our first time, we apply for both the CGE and the lottery licence at once.

The application is detailed and needs careful completion to avoid delays.

Answering all questions accurately and uploading the necessary files is critical.

Charitable Gaming Eligibility (CGE) Requirements

If your charity or nonprofit wants to run a raffle, bingo, or lottery, you’ll need a lottery license—but first, you must check if you’re eligible. That’s where Charitable Gaming Eligibility (CGE) comes in.

What is CGE?

CGE is given to charities and nonprofits that qualify for a lottery license. If your organization meets the requirements, you’ll get a CGE number, which makes it easier to apply for future licenses.

Who Needs a CGE?

Most organizations applying for a charitable lottery license need a CGE number. However, some groups are exempt, such as:

• Bingo Hall Charity Associations
• Fairs & Exhibitions
• Organizations raising funds for Federated Health or The United Way

How to Apply for a CGE

1. Apply at least 45 days before your event to avoid delays.
2. You can apply for a CGE and a lottery license at the same time.
3. Once approved, you won’t need to submit eligibility documents again—unless something major changes (like new directors or a different purpose for funds).

Submission Methods

We submit our application through the official AGCO online portal called iAGCO.

Before applying, we create an iAGCO account if we don’t already have one.

The process includes:

• Creating and verifying the account via email
• Logging in and selecting Lottery and Gaming under New Task
• Choosing the correct licence type
• Providing all requested details and uploading documents

Submitting online is faster and lets us track the application status.

Typical Review Timelines

The review process can take several weeks, so planning ahead is important.

For new applications, submit at least 45 days before the event.

After we submit, AGCO reviews our eligibility and application details.

They may contact us for clarifications or more information if needed.

After approval, we receive a CGE number and the licence to operate the chosen gaming event legally.

Waiting times vary, so applying early helps avoid last-minute problems.

After Approval: Setting Up and Managing a Lottery Trust Account

Once our charitable gaming licence is approved, we need to set up a specific trust account to handle all lottery funds.

Careful management of this account is vital because it ensures all money raised is tracked and used according to regulations.

Proper record-keeping and clear accounting help us stay compliant.

Opening a Designated Account

We must open a designated lottery trust account at a recognized financial institution in Ontario.

This account should be separate from any other business or charity accounts.

The account must:

• Be held in Canadian dollars
• Be clearly marked as a trust account by the bank
• Be used only for lottery proceeds and related expenses

If we run multiple types of lottery events, we may need different accounts for each.

This helps us keep funds organised and separate from other charity finances.

Record-Keeping and Accounting Requirements

We keep detailed records of every transaction in the designated trust account.

This includes money from lottery sales and all expenses related to gaming activities.

Our records must:

• Show clear dates and amounts
• Include invoices or receipts for all expenses
• Distinguish funds from different lottery events when necessary

Accurate bookkeeping helps us report correctly to regulators and maintain transparency.

This ensures funds are used only for their intended charitable purposes.

Types of Licensed Gaming Events and Additional Requirements

We need to understand the types of gaming events allowed under a charitable gaming licence.

Each event type has unique rules for prizes and advertising that we must follow.

Raffles and Bingo Events

Raffles and bingo are common licensed gaming events for charities.

We can hold raffles where tickets are sold and prizes are drawn.

Bingo events involve players buying cards and marking numbers for a chance to win prizes.

Each event requires a separate licence.

We must apply for these licences well before the event date.

This ensures we have permission and know the rules that apply.

Bingo games must follow rules about prize size and type.

For raffles, there are limits on ticket price, number of tickets sold, and the draw process.

Organizers must keep accurate records of all sales and prize distributions.

Prize Requirements and Valuations

Prizes must be clearly valued and meet specific limits.

We must record the estimated value of each prize before the event.

Cash prizes are usually allowed but often capped to certain amounts.

Non-cash prizes must be legal and cannot be alcohol unless properly licensed.

Prizes cannot be transferred or sold for profit.

We must award prizes fairly during the event, following all procedures in the licence terms and Charitable Gaming Rules.

Advertising and Promotion Rules

Advertising for charitable gaming events is strictly controlled.

We must promote the event truthfully, without exaggeration.

All advertising materials must include the licence number and basic information, like the purpose of the event and who benefits.

Promotions cannot target minors or encourage excessive gambling.

We must avoid making claims that the event guarantees winning.

This includes printed posters, social media posts, and local news ads.

Advertising must also follow local bylaws and any restrictions set by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Conclusion

If your organization plans to conduct charitable gaming activities in Ontario, getting the right licence is essential.

It ensures your events follow legal requirements and that funds raised support your charitable goals.

Contact B.I.G. Charity Law Group for expert guidance through the application process.

Reach us at dov.goldberg@charitylawgroup.ca or call 416-488-5888.

Schedule a FREE consultation anytime via our website at CharityLawGroup.ca.

We look forward to supporting your charity’s gaming licence journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are common questions about getting a charitable gaming license in Ontario. The rules can seem complicated, but this guide will help you understand the basics.

What is the charitable gaming association in Ontario?

The Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA) represents over 2,400 charities and nonprofits across Ontario. It helps organizations fundraise through bingo, raffles, and break-open tickets and has helped generate over $500 million for Ontario charities.

How much is a gaming license in Ontario?

AGCO charges 1% of the prize board for raffle licenses. Municipal licenses cost 3% of total prize value. Small raffles under $500 may cost as little as $5.95.

Can you do a 50/50 raffle without a license in Ontario?

No. Running any lottery without a license is a criminal offense. All raffles need a license from either your municipality (prizes under $50,000) or the AGCO (larger or electronic raffles).

How long does it take to get a raffle license in Ontario?

AGCO licenses take 45 days for new applicants or 30 days if you already have eligibility status. Municipal licenses take 20-45 working days.

How to get a gaming license in Ontario

First apply for Charitable Gaming Eligibility from the AGCO. Your organization must be a registered charity or nonprofit operating in Ontario for at least one year. Once approved, apply for gaming licenses through your municipality or the AGCO.

What do you need to get a gaming license?

You need details about your programs, financial statements from last year, a list of board directors, and proof of charitable registration. For raffles, you also need rules of play and ticket samples.

Why do I need a gaming license?

Gaming licenses are required by law. Running any lottery event without a license is a criminal offense. Licenses ensure gaming is done properly and money goes to real charitable causes.

What's a gaming license?

A gaming license is official permission that allows charities and religious organizations to run lottery events like raffles, bingo, or break-open ticket sales. The AGCO or local municipalities issue these licenses.