Canada Raffle Rules by Province: Licences, Thresholds and Online Raffles

Canada has the strictest raffle rules of any market we cover. Under the Criminal Code, a raffle is a lottery scheme, and lottery schemes are only lawful when conducted by a charitable or religious organization under a licence issued by a province. There is no small-raffle exemption the way there is in New South Wales or New Zealand: in most of Canada, if people pay for a chance to win a prize, a licence is needed, however modest the raffle. What varies by province is who issues the licence, at what threshold the process changes, and how online ticket sales are regulated.

This guide covers the four largest provinces in detail and points to the regulator everywhere else. It is general information, not legal advice; thresholds and terms change, so confirm current requirements with your provincial regulator before selling tickets.

The rules that apply across Canada

• Only charitable or religious organizations can be licensed to run raffles. For-profit businesses, individuals and government bodies are not eligible.
• The organization holds the licence and is responsible for the conduct of the raffle: tickets, the draw, records and how proceeds are used.
• Proceeds must go to charitable purposes, and several provinces require the benefit to stay in-province. Ontario, for example, requires lottery proceeds to benefit Ontario residents.
• Ticket sales are generally restricted to buyers within the licensing province. Alberta requires the purchaser to be physically in Alberta at the time of an online purchase. Selling nationally means separate licences province by province, and in practice most charity raffles are single-province.
• Minimum age applies, commonly 18, with responsible gambling information required on tickets in some provinces.

Ontario

Regulator: Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), working alongside municipal councils.

The split is clean. Your local municipality licenses paper-based raffles where total prizes are $50,000 or less, charging a fee of up to 3% of the prize board. The AGCO licenses raffles with prizes above $50,000, and is the only authority that can license an electronic raffle, regardless of prize size. An electronic raffle means using computers for ticket sales, winner selection or prize distribution, so any online raffle in Ontario is an AGCO matter.

Before applying to the AGCO, an organization needs charitable gaming eligibility (CGE): an approval that it qualifies for lottery licensing at all, which can be applied for together with the licence. Fixed prize draws of $10,000 or more require an irrevocable letter of credit covering the prize board; electronic 50/50 draws generally do not. Electronic raffle systems, including any platform a charity develops itself, are subject to review and approval by the AGCO's Technical and Laboratory Services, and tickets must carry problem gambling support information (the ConnexOntario line). 50/50s, Catch the Ace and elimination draws are all raffles under Ontario law and all need a licence.

Alberta

Regulator: Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC).

Alberta licenses everything: any raffle where a price is paid for a chance at a prize needs an AGLC licence. The single threshold is $20,000 in total ticket value, which determines the process rather than whether a licence is needed. At $20,000 and under, the process is streamlined: an eligibility application first (three to five business days, no fee), an AGLC ID, then licences issued with no AGLC licence fee. Over $20,000, applications must be lodged at least eight weeks before the ticket printing deadline, licence fees apply, and scrutiny increases.

Online raffles are permitted through an approved, registered ERS (electronic raffle system) gaming supplier. The system must confirm the buyer is 18 or older and physically in Alberta at the time of purchase. Charities can develop, purchase or lease electronic components, but the supplier must be registered with the AGLC.

British Columbia

Regulator: the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO), which took over charitable gaming licensing from the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB). Older guides still name GPEB or a "Class D" licence; both are out of date.

BC issues gaming event licences in three classes. Class A is the open-ended class for charitable organizations, with no limits on gross revenue, prize values or ticket prices, though expected revenue over $250,000 brings a requirement to employ two registered gaming workers. Class A is also the only class that can be approved for real-time online ticket sales through a certified electronic raffle system. Class B covers smaller events with gross revenue under $20,000, with a $2 ticket price cap and no electronic draw. Class C covers raffles at registered fairs and exhibitions. Everything runs through the IGCO; there is no municipal route.

Quebec

Regulator: Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ).

Quebec restructured its charitable lottery licensing in April 2024, with licence classes now based on gross annual revenue from lottery schemes rather than per-draw values. French-language requirements apply to tickets and advertising. If you are fundraising in Quebec, work from the RACJ's current published rules rather than any pre-2024 summary.

The rest of Canada

Every other province and territory licenses charitable raffles through its own body: the Lotteries and Gaming Authority in Saskatchewan, the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority in Manitoba, and provincial gaming or service departments in the Atlantic provinces and territories. The pattern holds everywhere: charitable organizations only, a licence before tickets are sold, and province-bound sales. Contact your provincial regulator early; several require applications weeks before tickets can even be printed.

Online and electronic raffles: the approval layer

This is where Canada differs most from other markets. Selling raffle tickets online is legal and increasingly common, especially for 50/50s and Catch the Ace draws, but the software itself is regulated. Ontario requires electronic raffle solutions to be reviewed and approved by the AGCO. Alberta requires the system to come from a registered ERS gaming supplier. BC requires a certified electronic raffle system under a Class A licence. Before committing to any platform for a Canadian raffle, confirm it holds the required approval or registration in your province; the regulator publishes the list, and using an unapproved system can invalidate your licence.

The operational obligations will be familiar from every other jurisdiction: verify age and location at purchase, record every sale and buyer, draw as advertised with a defensible random selection, and account for the proceeds. Get the licence and the approved system in place first, then build the campaign. If you are new to raffles generally, the step-by-step raffle guide covers campaign planning end to end.

Running raffles in other markets? See our guides to Australian raffle rules by state and UK raffle rules and licences.

Quick reference: raffle licensing by province

Current as at August 2026 and subject to change. Confirm with your provincial regulator before selling tickets.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to run a raffle in Canada?

Almost always yes. Raffles are lottery schemes under the Criminal Code and are only lawful when run by a charitable or religious organization under a provincial licence. Unlike the UK, Australia or New Zealand, most provinces have no licence-free tier for small raffles.

Who issues raffle licences in Ontario?

Your municipality for paper raffles with prizes of $50,000 or less; the AGCO for prizes above $50,000 and for every electronic raffle regardless of size. The organization also needs charitable gaming eligibility before an AGCO licence.

Can we sell raffle tickets online in Canada?

Yes, with a licence and, in Ontario, Alberta and BC, an electronic raffle system that is approved, registered or certified by the provincial regulator. Buyers generally must be of age and located in the licensing province at the time of purchase.

Can we sell tickets to people in other provinces?

Generally no. Licences are provincial and sales are province-bound; Alberta explicitly requires the buyer to be in Alberta at purchase. A national raffle means separate licences in each province, which is why most charity raffles stay single-province.

Is a 50/50 draw a raffle?

Yes. 50/50s, Catch the Ace, elimination and calendar draws are all raffles in Canadian licensing terms and need a licence like any other raffle.

What happens if we use an unapproved raffle platform?

Running an electronic raffle on a system that lacks the required provincial approval or registration can put you in breach of your licence terms and, at worst, outside the Criminal Code's charitable lottery exemption. Check the regulator's published supplier or solution list before you commit.

Last reviewed August 2026 against AGCO, AGLC and IGCO published licensing material. Rules and thresholds change; confirm current requirements with your provincial regulator before your draw.

‍