Raffles

The City issues licences for paper-based raffles with prizes up to $50,000 to eligible non-profit charitable organizations. This includes but is not limited to 50/50, elimination, calendar and catch-the-ace-draws.

For paper-based raffles with prizes over $50,000 and all electronic raffles, contact the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

An electronic raffle is the use of computers for the sale of tickets, the selection of winners and the distribution of prizes.

Your organization may be eligible if it is a charitable, non-profit and/or religious organization that:

  • Has carried out charitable programs or services providing a direct benefit to Toronto residents for a minimum of one year
  • Meets all Provincial and Municipal eligibility criteria
  • Assumes full responsibility for the conduct and management of the lottery event

Note:

  • A business or an individual is not eligible for a lottery licence

Application Requirements

If you have not applied for an eligibility review for the purpose of applying to conduct lottery events in Toronto within the past two years you are a new applicant. Applying for a lottery licence as a new applicant is a two-step process.
New applicants must submit:

  • A completed and signed Lottery Licensing Eligibility Review Form including the applicable supporting documents from the following list:
    • The organization’s constitution and/or bylaws, signed and dated.
    • Letters Patent, along with all supplementary versions if applicable.
    • List of current Board of Directors (showing name, position in the organization, address, phone number and email address)
    • Operating budget for current and past year, including all sources of revenue and expenses
    • Most recent audited financial statement, signed
      • If gross annual revenue is less than $250,000 the financial statement must be prepared in accordance with the standards set out in the CPA Handbook. If gross annual revenue is $250,000 or more, it must also be audited by a public accountant
    • Revenue Canada notification of Charitable designation, if applicable
    • Most recent documents filed with Revenue Canada (T3010), if the organization is registered as a charity under the Charities Accounting Act or Income Tax Act
    • Membership list, if applicable
    • Brochures, pamphlets and/or any other information describing programs/services offered to residents of Toronto
    • Supporting documents

Please note that if you are currently approved for cGaming, you will still need to submit a separate lottery licensing eligibility review application.

Step 1: Applying for an Eligibility Review

Submit Your Application Online

Apply Online

Your application will be assigned to a Lottery Licence Compliance Officer. It may take up to 45 working days for an application to be assigned.

If you have questions on the process and would like to speak to a staff member, please contact Gaming Services at lotterylicences@toronto.ca or at (416) 392-7037

Step 2: Applying for a Raffle Lottery Licence

Once you have received your Eligibility Approval Letter from the City of Toronto, you may then apply for the raffle lottery licence. If you do not have a current eligibility approval or if your approval has expired, please see Step 1 above or contact a Lottery Licence Officer for information (see contact information).

Prior to submitting your raffle lottery licence application. Please review the Raffle Licence Terms and Conditions carefully as it is the responsibility of the licensee to abide by the terms and conditions.

To apply for a raffle lottery licence, you will need to submit the following:

For Hospital 50/50 Payroll draws, review the rules of play.

Apply for your Lottery Licence Online

Apply Online

The City will process and issue your licence within 15 business days. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Submit an Eligibility Review or Raffle Lottery Licence Application In-Person

You must book an appointment at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Book an In-Person Appointment

Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.

Your application must be complete or it will not be accepted.

Payments can be made online once you have received your invoice number. If your organization has been assigned a Gaming Services lottery officer, please contact them should you wish to obtain an invoice number and pay online. If you have not yet been assigned a lottery officer, please contact Gaming Services, City of Toronto at lotterylicences@toronto.ca or call 416-392-7037.

Pay Online

Online payments can only be made by debit or credit (Visa, MasterCard or American Express).

Payments can also be submitted by cheque. Please make cheques payable to the Treasurer, City of Toronto, and mail to Gaming Services, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON M4C 5R1.

A financial report must be filed within 30 days of the conclusion of your raffle lottery event.

Review the Raffle Lottery Report Requirements and the Blanket Raffle Lottery Report Requirements and submit:

Supporting documents should include any relevant documentation relating to your organization’s activities over the reporting period, such as:

  • Invoices or receipts
  • Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) confirmation receipts
  • Cheque images (front and back) cleared by the financial institution

You can submit reports online, in-person or by mail.

Submit Online

Download a step by step guide on how to submit a report.

Submit Report

Submit In-Person

For in-person service at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Ave., 3rd Floor., you must book an appointment online, below. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

Book an In-Person Appointment

Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.

You must bring a complete application as applications will not be accepted unless all the required documents are provided. Bring hard copies of all required documents and forms. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.

Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.

If you have questions on the process and would like to speak to a staff member, please contact Gaming Services at lotterylicences@toronto.ca or at (416) 392-7037

Submit by Mail

To mail in your report and documents, please send it to:

Gaming Services
Municipal Licensing and Standards
850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario M4C 5R1