Raffle: More than $20,000

Eligibility

Application process

Find out:

• if your group is eligible to apply for raffle licensing
• how to apply for eligibility for raffle licensing
• what happens after you submit an application
• how long it takes

Who can apply?

Charitable organizations can apply if their structure and programs follow AGLC policy.

Things to know before you apply

An eligible charitable or religious organization must:

• have volunteers from Alberta, who create, control and deliver a charitable program
• have an elected executive chosen from the volunteer members
• have no paid members
• have charitable programs that are available to all members of the public who wish to take part
• be incorporated in a form acceptable to AGLC
• have bylaws that follow AGLC policy

These four criteria determine charitable purpose:

1. relief of poverty
2. advancement of education
3. advancement of religion
4. other purposes beneficial to the community

For more information on eligibility, refer to the Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook.

How to apply

If your group has not had a raffle licence before, you must complete an Eligibility for Gaming Licence application and return it to gaming.licensing@aglc.ca or Fax: 780-447-8911.

Documents you will need (this checklist is on the application form to guide you):

• copy of meeting minutes authorizing the application
• copy of Incorporation Certificate
• copy of group's operating bylaws
• current List of Elected Executive, including addresses and telephone numbers
• current membership list, including addresses and telephone numbers
• copy of the last year of financial statements
• budget for the current year or proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year
• land title certificate or lease/rental agreement, if you own or rent a facility for your programs

Fees

There is no cost to submit an eligibility application.

How long it takes after you apply

A complete application will take approximately two weeks to review. If there is any missing information, we will contact you by letter, email or phone call.

The decision

AGLC will provide the eligibility decision to you in writing.

Questions

Call AGLC to speak to an Eligibility Analyst:

• 780-447-8600 or toll-free at 1-800-272-8876

Policies

The Charitable Gaming Policies Handbook has more information on:

• legislation and policies
• general eligibility
• types of groups that may be eligible
• using gaming proceeds

Applying for a Raffle Licence

What is a raffle?

A raffle is a lottery scheme where ticket purchasers pay for a chance to win a prize. Some examples include a 50/50 (percentage draw), home lottery or a travel package.

Before you start

A group that holds a raffle event must make sure to follow:

• Raffle Terms & Conditions Total Ticket Value More Than $20,000

Or

• Sports Drafts Terms & Conditions - For example, National Hockey League regular season or playoff hockey pools

Total ticket value

To calculate total ticket value, multiply the price(s) of the ticket(s) by the number of tickets for sale. For example, 5,000 tickets @ $20 each equals a total ticket value of $100,000.

A group may choose to sell discount tickets in multiples at a lower price per ticket than a regular ticket. For example, one ticket for sale at $50 and discount tickets for sale at three for $100.

Add regular tickets and discount tickets to calculate total ticket value.

• 5,000 regular tickets X $10 per ticket = $50,000
• 3,000 discounted tickets @ two for $15 = $22,500

The total ticket value in this example is $72,500.

A group must not exceed the total ticket value approved for the licence.

Raffle application

A group must send this application to AGLC at least eight weeks before the ticket print deadline:

• Raffle Licence Application Total Ticket Value More Than $20,000
• Raffle Licence Application Total Ticket Value More Than $20,000 - Addendum Electronic Raffles

Electronic Raffle Systems

Beginning January 30, 2019, eligible groups may submit raffle licence applications to conduct raffles that use electronic systems to:

• sell and distribute raffle tickets
• distribute prizes
• select a winner using a random number generator

Check here for the application later in 2018.

Based on the total ticket value (TTV) of the raffle, a group may choose only the following electronic components:

• Raffles with a TTV less than $100,000
  • ticket ordering (policies for online ticket ordering alone appear in Raffle Terms & Conditions More Than $20,000)
  • bearer ticket raffles may sell tickets
• Raffles with a TTV $100,000 or more
  • ticket ordering, sales and distribution and prize distribution
  • bearer ticket raffles may sell tickets and distribute prizes
• Raffles with a TTV $1 million or more
  • ticket ordering, sales and distribution, prize distribution and conduct the draw for winner(s)
  • bearer ticket raffles may sell tickets, distribute prizes and conduct the draw for the winner(s)

A group that uses electronic raffle components, except as noted, must follow:

• Electronic Raffle Handbook
• Electronic Raffle Standards Document

To provide electronic raffle system components to AGLC-licensed groups, the supplier must have AGLC registration. 

Charities and registered gaming suppliers can also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for further information. 

AGLC is accepting applications for gaming supplier registration.  For more information, contact the Due Diligence Unit at duediligence@aglc.ca

Licence fee

The licence fee for a raffle with a total ticket value:

• more than $20,000, but less than $100,000 is $150
• equal to or more than $100,000, but less than $1,000,000 is $500
• equal to or more than $1,000,000 is $1,000

Along with the application, the group must include a cheque or money order to AGLC for licence fees.

Raffle rules

Each group that plans to hold a raffle must establish raffle rules for each licence. For help, refer to:

• Section E. Raffle Rules in the Raffle Terms & Conditions Total Ticket Value More Than $20,000.

Ticket sales

Each group must have ticket and financial controls for each raffle licence.

You may use these forms:

• Raffle Ticket Inventory Control Procedure & Inventory Control Worksheet

Making changes to an existing licence

This guide lists required information when a group wants to change its licence. An example includes a request to extend the draw date.

• Raffle Amendment Guideline Sheet

Cancelling a raffle licence

A group must send a request in writing to AGLC to cancel a raffle licence.

The group must:

• identify the number of tickets sold
• state the reason for the request
• make a reasonable effort to provide refunds to all ticket buyers
• advertise the raffle cancellation

Complete requirements are in K. Cancellation Procedures:

• Raffle Terms & Conditions Total Ticket Value More Than $20,000