Lottery Licence

The Municipality of Clarington has the authority to issue lottery licences to eligible organizations within the community. We are also responsible for enforcing licensing policies and compliance under the terms and conditions of the licences we issue.

Our Clerk's Division issues lottery licences in accordance with Provincial Regulations.

When do I need a licence?

If your event includes:

  • An exchange of consideration or fee (i.e. money changes hands),
  • A game of chance, and
  • An opportunity to win a prize

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, your event is considered a lottery event and therefore the rules set out by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario apply.

The Municipality of Clarington is responsible for issuing Municipal lottery licences for lottery events conducted in Clarington as follows:

  • Bingo events with prize board $5,500 and under
  • Media bingo events
  • Raffle for total prizes $50,000 and under
  • Break Open licences not licensed by province
  • Bazaars

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is responsible for issuing the lottery licences as follows:

  • Bingo events with prize board over $5,500
  • Super jackpot games
  • Raffle for total prizes over $50,000
  • Electronic raffles (any prize value)
  • Provincial break open
  • All Monte Carlo events
  • All lottery schemes conducted in unorganized territories
  • All lottery schemes at a designated Fair or Exhibition or at a Public Place of Amusement
  • Break Open Ticket Sellers

Canada's Criminal Code permits charitable and religious organizations to conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds pursuant to a licence being issued. Organizations must be providing charitable services to Ontario residents for a minimum of one year to qualify. The term "charitable" refers to organizations that provide programs or services for:

  • The relief of poverty
  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of religion
  • Other charitable purposes beneficial to the community

The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:

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

Types of organizations that are not eligible to apply for a lottery licence include:

  • Professional associations, unions, employee groups
  • Elected representative groups including municipal, regional, provincial, and federal governments
  • Government ministries, agents, or bodies
  • Political lobby groups
  • Political parties
  • Adult hobby groups
  • Private sports clubs (e.g. golf/curling)
  • Adult sports team
  • Social clubs

All licensed organizations must open and maintain a lottery trust account to administer all funds related to the conduct of lottery events.  If the licensee conducts more than one type of lottery event, it may have one account for all lottery types and keep a separate ledger for each, or it may hold separate accounts for each type of lottery event.

Requirements for Designated Trust Accounts

Reports are due within 30 days of the lottery event.  The following information is required:

  • Completed AGCO lottery report
  • Copies of all bank statements since the last update/report
  • Copies of all bank deposit slips
  • Copies of all Cheques (with bank statement);
  • Details of all ‘donations’ and supporting receipts (use of lottery proceeds)
  • Receipts for all items expensed through the Lottery Trust Account
  • List of all winners with their names, addresses and phone numbers, and which prize has been awarded to them
  • Proof of published results
  • Other items may be required

Apply for a lottery licence

It's now easier than ever to apply for a lottery licence with our new Service Clarington portal. To get started, visit the Service Clarington portal and register for a new account.

The Municipality of Clarington requires a minimum of two weeks to process a lottery application and a minimum of 30 days for first time applicants.

Applying for a Lottery licence is a two-step process.

Step 1: Your organization must go through an eligibility review. Submit an eligibility application on the Service Clarington portal. You will need to create an account if you don’t have one.

You will be required to submit copies of the following information:

  • Incorporation papers (if applicable)
  • Notification of charitable registration (Revenue Canada) (if applicable)
  • Constitution and by-laws (if applicable)
  • Detailed outline of charitable programs/services provided.
  • Financial statement for the previous fiscal year (Audited, where applicable)
  • Current operating budget
  • Most recent Registered Charity Information Return and Public Information Return (Revenue Canada) (if applicable)
  • Current list board of directors
  • Sports organizations must include a list of all players, ages, and birth dates

Step 2: Once your eligibility is approved, apply for the type of lottery licence you wish to obtain using your Service Clarington account.

Learn more about how to use the portal at www.clarington.net/ServiceClarington.

Apply for a lottery licence.

Resources for Applicants

The licence fee is three per cent of the total value of the prizes.

The licence fee is two per cent of the total retail value of prizes.

The licence fee is three per cent of the retail value of prizes.

A blanket raffle licence may be issued to allow eligible organizations to obtain a single lottery licence to conduct a series of raffle events within a fixed period.

The licence fee is three per cent of the retail value of prizes to a maximum total value of $500.

Contact for Provincial Lottery Licensing

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

90 Sheppard Avenue East
Suite 200-300
Toronto, ON M2N 0A4
Phone: 1-800-522-2876

Contact Us

Address: 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6

Phone: 905-623-3379
TTY: 1-844-790-1599

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