Lottery licences

It may take up to 10 business days to process your application and issue your licence. To ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible, please submit all required information including:

  • Completed application form
  • Sample of lottery ticket (if applicable)
  • All required signatures
  • Contact information (including name, e-mail or phone) to ensure quick licence pick-up
  • Lottery licence fee: 3% of total prize value payable by cheque to the City of Guelph
  • If submitting an Application for Lottery Licensing Eligibility include a cheque for $25.00 payable to the City of Guelph

In order to conduct a lottery, in the Province of Ontario, an organization must first obtain a lottery licence. To qualify for a lottery licence, a registered charitable, non-profit or religious organization may conduct a lottery scheme to raise funds if they have a demonstrated charitable or religious mandate to qualify. “Charitable” refers to organizations which provide programs for:

  • Relief of poverty
  • Advancement of education
  • Advancement of religion
  • Other charitable purposes beneficial to the community

The following prerequisites are mandatory to be considered eligible for a lottery licence in the City of Guelph:

  • Organizations must have been in existence for at least one year before applying for a lottery licence
  • The proceeds raised from the lottery will benefit the residents of the City of Guelph and/or the County of Wellington

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 objectives
  • The objects of the organization as described in the licence application
  • The services which have actually been provided by the organization to the community

Types of organizations which are not considered charitable by the Province of Ontario for lottery licensing purposes are:

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

Raffle Lottery Licence

To qualify for a raffle licence, your organization must have a proven charitable mandate. Your application must be completed by two members of your organization and returned to the Licensing Division/Bylaw Compliance and Security Department for review and approval. The fee for a raffle licence is three percent (3%) of the retail value of the prize including taxes. Any raffle with a prize value of $10,000 or more requires additional documentation. Contact the Licensing Division for more information.

Additional information and raffle lottery application forms are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Bazaar Lottery Licence

To qualify for a bazaar lottery licence, your organization must have a proven charitable mandate. Your application must be completed by two members of your organization and returned to the Licensing Division/Bylaw Compliance and Security Department for review and approval. The fee for a bazaar licence is three per cent (3%) of the prize value up to a maximum of $500. Please note a bazaar means an event where any combination of the following lotteries may be conducted:

  • A raffle not exceeding $500 in prizes
  • A bingo not exceeding $500 in prizes
  • A maximum three wheels of fortune with a maximum $2 bet

Additional information and bazaar lottery application forms are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Bingo Lottery Licence

To qualify for a bingo lottery licence, your organization must have a proven charitable mandate. Your application must be completed by two members and two principal officers of your organization and returned to the Licensing Division/Bylaw Compliance and Security Department for review and approval. The fee for a bingo licence is three per cent (3%) of the prize board.

Additional information and bingo lottery application forms are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

Break-open (Nevada) Lottery Licence

To qualify for a break-open lottery licence, your organization must have a proven charitable mandate. Your application must be completed by two members and two principal officers of your organization and returned to the Licensing Division/Bylaw Compliance and Security Department for review and approval. The fee for a Break-open licence is three per cent (3%) of the prize board.

Additional information and nevada lottery application forms are available from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario

For more information

Corporate and Community Safety
1 Carden Street
Guelph, Ontario  N1H 3A1
519-822-1260 extension 2551
[email protected]