Lottery Licensing - Raffles

Determine if you will need to complete a single raffle application or a blanket raffle application. 

A raffle licence allows eligible organizations to obtain a lottery licence to conduct and manage a single type of raffle event on a fixed date. Examples of raffles include: 

• Stub draws
• Eliminations draws
• Paper-based 50/50 draws

Raffle Licence Application

A blanket licence allows eligible organizations to obtain a single lottery licence to conduct and manage more than one type of raffle event within a fixed period and from one location within a capped prize amount of $50,000 for total prizes. 

Blanket Licence Application

The completed application must be submitted with: 

• The Rules of Play
• A list of the prizes and their value
• A draft copy of the ticket that will be sold OR a photo of the roll tickets that will be used showing the beginning and ending numbers. 

Please submit the application at least one (1) week before it is required to allow time for a proper review. 

Rules of play are for the group’s protection. Things to consider when creating your rules of play.

• What type of raffle is it? 50/50, prize raffle, auction raffle, meat raffle, cash calendar, elimination draw, etc.
• Who is conducting the raffle (organization)?
• Where is the raffle taking place, date & time of draw?
• The max number of tickets available and the price of the tickets (the odds of winning are dependent on the number of valid entries).
• Winning tickets must be presented to claim the prize.
• Winners must agree to allow the use of their name.
• Purchasers of Stub tickets must legibly write their information on the stub.
• State whether or not ticket holders are required to be present to win the draw.
• How will winners be notified?
• How will winners be publicly posted? Website, Facebook, Media, displayed on location?
• Purchasers must be over the age of 18 to play and a resident of Ontario.
• List of the prize(s) and the value, if applicable.
• Board members, executives, and employees of the organization directly involved with charitable gaming, employees of the event location, and prize donors, are not eligible to win.
• How will tickets be stored throughout the raffle, if applicable?
• How will winning ticket(s) be drawn (from drum by volunteer or organization member)?
• Contingency plan if the draw cannot happen due to a disaster or emergency?
• Once a winning ticket is drawn, how long does the winner have to claim the prize before another ticket is drawn?
• Any additional fees above and beyond the stated prize and value will be the prize winner’s responsibility, if applicable.
• Contact info for all winners will be shared with the licensing authority.
• Any unclaimed prizes must be held for 6 months from the date of the draw, unless otherwise stated in rules of play. Every reasonable effort to contact the winner will be made; including, attempting to locate the winner using the contact information provided on the ticket stub, by sending a registered letter if address is available, telephoning the individual, posting on website or Facebook page. Any unclaimed prize will be donated to a charitable organization approved by the group and licensing authority.
• Connex Ontario provides free & confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol & drugs, mental illness or gambling. If you need help, please contact them at 1-866-531-2600.

The total prize value must be a minimum of 20% of the total ticket sales (unless it is a 50/50 raffle).

Raffle prizes may consist of

• Merchandise or cash, or a combination of the two.
• Alcohol may be awarded as a prize for a raffle lottery provided the licensed organization assumes responsibility for ensuring that the prize is awarded only to those persons 19 years of age or over.

The prize list should include each prize and its value. Proof of value may be requested if the Municipality is unable to verify the actual value.

The prize list value cannot exceed $50,000. 

A draft copy of the ticket that will be sold must be provided with the application. 

The licensee must have tickets printed in two (2) parts - Part 1 - the purchaser will keep and Part 2 - the organization (licensee) will keep (for draw or record purposes). 

Part 1 must contain the following information:

• the licence number;
• the name of the licensee;
• the location(s), date(s), and time(s) of the draw(s);
• a description, including the nature, number and value of the prize(s) to be awarded;
• the price of each ticket;
• the number of the ticket, and;
• the total number of tickets printed

Part 2 must contain the following information:

• the number of the ticket;
• the licence number and the name of the licensee;
• adequate space for the name, address and telephone number of the ticket purchaser.

If tickets are to be discounted from the regular price (for example, $1.00 or three (3) for $2.00), then the prices must be indicated and printed on each ticket.

At the request of the licensing author­ity, the licensee must provide a sample of the ticket.

The licensee must not use any type of “scratch and win” ticket.

Where prizes are donated, and the donor and the licensee agree, the donor name or company name may be included on the ticket, provided that the name of the licensee is more prominent.

Tickets must not bear any coupon, promotional or advertising material unless it is promoting the licensee and approved by the licensee.

If roll tickets are bring used, photo of the roll with the beginning and ending numbers should be submitted. 

Note: for blanket raffles, different coloured tickets should be used from one raffle event to another. 

The licence fee will be 3% of the total prize value. Staff will advise you of the fee once the application has been approved. The licence number will not be released until the fee has been collected. 

1. Reports are due 30 days after the event date.
2. All sections of the report must be completed prior to being submitted
   • Raffle Report
   • Blanket Raffle Report
3. The report must be accompanied with the following supporting documents: 
   • A copy of any bank statements, including images of cashed cheques associated with the raffle.
   • Deposit slips or deposits highlighted on the bank statement. 
   • Any receipts or invoices for expenses being claimed in the report.
   • A list of the winner(s).
   • A copy of the winning ticket(s).
4. The report must be signed by both signing authorities that signed the application for the raffle. 

Reports are to be dropped off at the Administration Office or emailed to events@lambtonshores.ca.