Lottery Licence

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is responsible for regulating and overseeing licensed lottery events (e.g., bingos, raffles and the sale of break open tickets) conducted by eligible charitable and religious organizations to raise funds to support charitable purposes. 

As part of the AGCO's regulatory responsibilities in the charitable sector, the AGCO administers, in partnership with municipalities, the regulatory framework governing the issuance of charitable lottery licences.  

The AGCO authorizes the Municipality of South Huron for some types of lottery and gaming events for eligible charitable, religious and non-profit organizations. Eligible organizations must:

• Have been in existence for at least one year;
• Provide charitable community services consistent with a primary object and purpose of the organization for at least one year;
• Demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in the Municipality of South Huron;
• Use proceeds for charitable purposes that benefit South Huron and its residents;
• Assume full responsibility for the conduct and management of its lottery events; and,
• Must be deemed eligible to conduct lotteries [form eligibility questionnaire] and open a Lottery Trust Bank Account.

Through the Clerk's Office, the municipality must ensure all legal requirements, including terms and conditions to the licences, are met by lottery licensees and any gaming suppliers used by charities.

Order in Council 1413/08 authorizes the licensing framework for eligible charitable or religious organizations to hold lottery events and sets out the limits of municipal licensing provides South Huron licensing authority for:

• bingo events, with prize boards of up to $5,500;
• media bingo events with prizes up to $5,500;
• break open tickets for local organizations;
• raffle lotteries for total prizes of $50,000 and under; and
• bazaar lotteries which include: wheels of fortune with a maximum bet of $2.00, raffles not exceeding $500, and bingo events up to $500.

Once the applicant is deemed eligible and a lottery trust bank account has been opened and a copy of the account information has been submitted to the Clerk's Office, an application to conduct a lottery may be completed.

Applications are available online at the AGCO website or by contacting the South Huron Clerk's Office.

Know your obligations

• Lottery Licensing Policy Manual
• Charitable Gaming: Charitable and Religious Organizations