Lottery Licence

Lottery Licensing

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) authorizes the Town of Grimsby to provide local charities, non-profit organizations, and other eligible organizations with lottery and gaming licences. The Town ensures all legal requirements are met by lottery licensees including terms and conditions to the licences, and any gaming supplies used by charities. The Criminal Code of Canada defines what types of gaming activities are illegal in Canada, and the provinces are assigned responsibility to operate, license and regulate legal forms of gaming.

Who can get a licence to conduct a lottery event?

If your organization is interested in lottery licensing, please submit a Lottery Licensing Eligibility Review Application and supporting documents to the Office of the Clerk.

Charitable organizations may be permitted to conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds once a licence 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 such as:
    • culture and the arts
    • health and welfare
    • amateur sports organization
    • enhancement of youth
    • enhancement of public safety
    • community service organizations (Legion, Rotary, Lions, etc.)

 Your organization must:

  • have been in existence and provided charitable community services consistent with the goals and activities of the organization for at least one year in the Town of Grimsby;
  • propose to use the proceeds for charitable programs and services that benefit the Town of Grimsby and its residents; and,
  • assume full responsibility for the conduct and management of the lottery event.

 

The Town of Grimsby can only issue a lottery licence to an organization operating a lottery within the Town limits.

An individual is not eligible for a lottery licence.

 

What types of organizations are not eligible for lottery licensing?

Types of organizations which cannot be considered for lottery licensing include:

  • social clubs
  • professional associations, union, employee groups
  • elected representative groups including municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments
  • government ministries, agents or bodies
  • political lobby groups and those attempting to persuade the public to adopt a particular view on a political issue
  • political parties
  • adult hobby groups
  • private sports club (e.g., golf/curling)
  • adult sports teams or hobby groups
  • individual youth sports teams
  • organizations established solely for the purpose of fundraising

 

How does my organization apply for lottery licensing?

If this is your first time receiving lottery licensing in the Town of Grimsby, please complete the Lottery Licensing Checklist and provide supporting documents to the Office of the Clerk. 

Once approved, determine what type of lottery scheme (raffle, bingo, break open ticket) your organization intends to conduct and complete the application form to submit to the Office of the Clerk.

  

How do I contact the Office of the Clerk?

Office of the Clerk - Lottery Licensing
Town of Grimsby
160 Livingston Avenue
Grimsby ON L3M 0J5
Phone: 905-945-9634

clerks@grimsby.ca

 

How do I contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario? 

Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Licensing and Registration
90 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 200
Toronto Ontario M2N 0A4

General Telephone: 416 326-8700

Toll Free in Ontario: 1-800-522-2876

 

General email: customer.service@agco.ca

Website Feedback: webmaster@agco.ca

 

Related Content

Break Open Tickets

The Town licenses organizations to sell Break Open Tickets at legions, hospitals and variety stores.

A Break Open Ticket is a device made of cardboard and which has perforated cover window tabs behind which are symbols revealed by tearing open the cover tab. The winning combination of symbols is specified on the back of the ticket. Break Open Tickets are also known as “Nevada tickets” or “pull tabs”.

 

Applying for a Break Open Ticket Licence

 

Submitting a Break Open Ticket Report

Following the expiry of your Break Open Ticket Licence, sale of your last Break Open Ticket, or the issuance of a new licence, your organization must submit a Break Open Ticket Lottery Report within 30 days of holding the lottery.  This can be done by mail, email or in person to the Office of the Clerk.

 

A Break Open Ticket Lottery Report must be submitted with the following:

  • lottery trust account bank statements and copies of cheques
  • copies of invoices matched to corresponding cheque

 

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Raffle

The Town licences raffles to eligible non-profit or charitable organizations with prizes up to $50,000. Raffles with prizes over $50,000 are licenced by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Applying for a Raffle Licence

The Office of the Clerk will process and issue your licence within 3 business days once complete applications are received.

Submitting a Raffle Report

Following a raffle lottery event, your organization must submit a Raffle Lottery Report within 30 days of holding the lottery.  This can be done by mail, email or in person to the Office of the Clerk.

A Raffle Lottery Report must be submitted with the following:

  • a list of prize winners
  • itemized list of administrative costs (licence fee, ticket purchase/printing, etc.)
  • lottery trust account bank statements and copies of cheques and invoices for expenses and use of lottery proceeds
  • one unsold ticket (this is not needed if it is a “rip ticket” for 50/50 draws)

 

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Bingo

Bingo licences may be issued for events in a Public Place

Bingo in a Commercial Hall or in a Public Place may have prize value up to $5,500. Bingo games with a prize board over $5,500 are licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

When applying for a bingo licence, applicants should:

  • ensure their eligibility is current
  • review the AGCO's Bingo Events
  • complete the Bingo Application and gather supporting documentation
  • coordinate application and cheque from lottery trust account for the lottery licence fee ($90.00 per event).

 

Submitting a Bingo Report

Following a bingo lottery event, your organization must submit a Bingo Report within 30 days of holding the lottery.  This can be done by mail, email or in person to the Office of the Clerk.

A Bingo Report must be submitted with the following:

 

  • lottery trust account bank statements, copies of cheques and invoices for expenses and use of lottery proceeds

 

Are you making a change to your bingo date(s)?

If you are adding, switching, or cancelling a scheduled bingo date, please notify our office as soon as possible before the event.  It is the charity’s responsibility to notify the Office of the Clerk with a Charitable Gaming Event Licence Amendment Request prior to the bingo date.

 

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Bazaar

A bazaar is a sale of goods held to raise money for a charity. The Town of Grimsby may issue licences to allow eligible organizations to conduct and manage lottery events in conjunction with a bazaar, provided the lottery events are ancillary to the bazaar itself.

 

The Town of Grimsby licences lottery events at a bazaar where any combination of the following are held:

  • Raffle with prizes up to $50,000
  • Bingo with prizes up to $5,500
  • Penny auction raffle with prizes up to $50,000

 

Applying for a Bazaar Licence

 

Submitting a Raffle Report

Following a raffle lottery event, your organization must submit a Lottery Report within 30 days of holding the lottery.  This can be done by mail, email or in person to the Office of the Clerk.

 

A Lottery Report must be submitted with the following:

  • a list of prize winners
  • itemized list of administrative costs (licence fee, ticket purchase/printing, etc.)
  • lottery trust account bank statements and copies of cheques and invoices for expenses and use of lottery proceeds
  • one unsold ticket (this is not needed if it is a “rip ticket” for penny tables)

 

Related Content

 

These materials are available in alternate format, upon request.

Contact Us

Town of Grimsby
160 Livingston Avenue
Grimsby ON, L3M 0J5
Phone: 905-945-9634
Fax: 905-945-5010

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