Lottery Licensing

To be eligible to apply for a lottery licence in a non-commercial and public venue your organization must be a charitable, non-profit and/or religious organization.

Canada's Criminal Code permits charitable, non profit and/or religious organizations to conduct lottery schemes to raise funds pursuant to a licence being issued. Organizations must have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to qualify and must fall under one of the following four categories:

• the relief of poverty;
• the advancement of education;
• the advancement of religion; or
• other charitable purposes beneficial to the community.

To be considered eligible for a lottery licence, an organization must meet the following pre-requisites:

• have been in existence for at least one (1) year;
• have a place of business in Ontario; and
• demonstrate that it is established to provide charitable services in Ontario and uses proceeds for objects or purposes which benefit Ontario residents.

The primary purposes of an organization are determined by considering:

• the mandate of the organization as set out in its incorporation documents;
• the objectives of the organization as described in its application for licence; and
• the services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community.

Eligibility Questionnaire

If you have not been issued a lottery licence, please complete the eligibility form for New Applicants. Once you have received approval, you may advance to event-specific applications.

If you have received a lottery licence from the Municipality within the year and do not have an annual eligibility update due, you are a Returning Applicant. 

New Applicants

New applicants are required to review and submit the following:

1. Lottery Licence Eligibility Form
2. Supporting documents

The Municipality will review your application and notify your contact of your organization’s eligibility to conduct a lottery.

The eligibility review could take up to 30 business days to complete.  Applications requiring additional information will be returned to the applicant.

Returning Applicants

If your charity or non-for profit organization has been conducting lotteries/bingo in the Municipality of Lakeshore within the past year, they are responsible for providing an Annual Update Eligibility. The Annual Update Eligibility must provide Legislative Services - Lottery Licensing with the following:

• Bona fide list of current Board of Directors;
• List of members (if youth sports with birthdates); and
• Year end financial statement.