Charitable Lottery Licences

All charitable lotteries and gaming events must be licensed to operate in Newfoundland and Labrador and must be conducted in accordance with the Lottery Licence Regulations under the Criminal Code of Canada. Anyone not adhering to the requirements would be guilty of an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Only eligible charitable, religious and incorporated non-profit organizations, with charitable purposes, may obtain a lottery licence. The table in the following link clarifies eligible organizations and activities, along with examples of ineligible organizations: Charitable Lottery Eligibility Table

• What is a Lottery?
• Frequently Asked Questions – Changes in the Lottery Licensing Regulations
• How to Apply for a Lottery Licence
• Lottery Rules
• Use of Electronic Gaming Equipment
• Submitting Your Financial Reports
• Have a Complaint?
• Charitable Gaming Statistics

What is a Lottery?

A lottery scheme is an event in which you are required to pay a fee, purchase a ticket, or give something to participate in that event in exchange for a chance to win a prize through a process, such as a name draw or other means of random selection.

A promotional contest is when you have a chance to win with purchase. These are not normally considered lotteries as most promotional contests have a no purchase necessary element and a skill testing question. For more information on promotional contests contact the Competition Bureau of Canada.

Charitable gaming is regulated by the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.

Frequently Asked Questions – Changes in the Lottery Licensing Regulations

1. What are the changes to the lottery regulations effective July 2, 2024?
   The changes to the lottery regulations that came into effect July 2, 2024 are outlined in the summary table found here.
2. The organization I am affiliated with recently received its lottery licence. Will we have to re-apply under the new regulations?
   No, you will not have to re-apply. The licence remains valid through the time period indicated on the licence.
3. What organizations can apply to receive a five year eligibility for a lottery licence?
   The types of organizations that may be eligible to receive a five-year eligibility for a lottery licence can be found here.
4. How does an organization receive five-year eligibility for a lottery licence
   Organizations may submit an application and include the required documentation to be considered eligible for a lottery licence for a five year period. Submitted applications will be reviewed and organizations will be notified of their eligibility or additional information requirements.
5. My organization has received five year eligibility for a lottery licence – is our lottery licence also valid for a five year period?
   No, the organization will be required to submit documentation annually to validate the licence for years two through five. Details on what subsequent documentation will be required annually can be found here.
6. How do I obtain a lottery licence for a series of lottery events that is valid for a two year period?
   Organizations can apply for a licence via the Lotteries Portal by selecting a lottery licence type that offers a series of lottery events or by completing and submitting an application.
7. Our organization currently holds a Bingo Lottery Licence. Will the changes to the maximum pay out for a single Bingo event ($2,500) and combined Bingo event ($5,000) apply to that licence?
   No. Existing licences issued prior to July 2, 2024 have a maximum pay out of $1,500 for a single Bingo event and $3,000 for a combined event.
8. What are the rules on operational requirements and technical specifications for electronic raffles and electronic gaming equipment?
   The operational requirements and technical specifications for gaming suppliers who offer electronic raffles can be found here – Policy for Electronic Gaming Equipment.

How to Apply for a Lottery Licence

Use our online application to apply for a lottery licence. To process your application in a timely manner make sure you fully and accurately complete the information.

If you are applying for a ticket lottery, please include a sample ticket. You can use our sample ticket as a guide to develop your own.

If you wish to apply for a five-year ticket lottery licence, please see the following:

• Five-Year Eligibility Criteria
• Five-Year Ticket Lottery Application

If you wish to obtain any PDF/paper applications, click here or please call (709) 729-2600; toll free at 1-877-968-2600 or email lotterylicence@gov.nl.ca

Lottery Rules

• General Rules for ALL Charitable Lotteries
• Bingo Rules
  • General Rules for Bingo Events
  • Bingo Rules – Accumulated Jackpot
  • Bingo Rules – Non-accumulated Jackpot
  • Rules – Loonie Pot
  • Rules – 50/50 7-10 Ball Lottery
  • Rules – Fixed Link Satellite Bingo
  • Rules – Media Accumulated Jackpot
  • General Rules for Breakopen Lottery Events
  • Rules – Additional Breakopen
  • General Rules for Bingo/Breakopen Lottery Events
  • General Rules for Ticket Lottery (Raffle) Events
  • Rules – Paper-based Ticket Lotteries (Raffles)
  • Rules – Electronic Ticket Lotteries (Raffles)
  • General Rules for Games of Chance Events
  • Rules for Permitted Poker Games
  • General Rules for Monte Carlo Events
  • Rules for Permitted Poker Games – Monte Carlo
  • General Rules for Sport Lottery Events
  • General Rules for Chase the Ace Events
  • Best Practices for Operating a Chase the Ace
  • Chase the Ace Financial Tracker
  • Sample Completed Chase the Ace Financial Tracker

  Use of Electronic Gaming Equipment

  Section 207(4)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits lottery schemes from operating on or through a computer, video device, slot machine or a dice game, except where a computer is used for the sale of a ticket, selection of a winner or the distribution of a prize in a raffle, including a 50/50 draw.

  In Newfoundland and Labrador, online/computer solutions for ticket lotteries (raffles) may include:

  • Selling electronic tickets – Policy for Electronic Gaming Equipment
  • Sale of a ticket (paper-based or electronic tickets) combined with one or both pf the selection of a winner and the distribution of a prize – Policy for Electronic Gaming Equipment

  Submitting Your Financial Reports

  The back of the lottery licence will indicate whether a financial report must be submitted to the Department after the licensed event. If a report is needed it is due 60 days after the expiry of the licence. The licensee is must pay a licensing fee, which is one per cent of gross proceeds from the lottery event or This needs to be ready for July 2 nd . along with the report. The method of calculating the fee is on the front on each financial report.

  Each individual type of lottery has its own financial report:

  Have a Complaint?

  Charitable lotteries complaints should be made with the organization first. If the organization does not resolve your complaint, please contact our office. To mail or fax your complaint, please download the complaint record form.

  Contact Atlantic Lottery Corporation for complaints about 6/49, Super 7, scratch tickets, breakopen tickets that are sold in convenience stores and video lottery terminals, or VLTs.

  Contact the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for complaints about illegal lotteries.

  For any other complaints, such as mail, email or a telephone call stating you have won a lottery you did not enter, please contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

  Charitable Gaming Statistics

  • • • April 2022 – March 2023
      • April 2021 – March 2022
      • April 2020 – March 2021
      • April 2019 – March 2020
      • April 2018 – March 2019
      • April 2017 – March 2018
      • April 2016 – March 2017
      • April 2015 – March 2016
      • April 2014 – March 2015