Jan 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update<
On January 18, 2019, the Government of Ontario announced that new changes to the charitable gaming licence regime administered by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (“AGCO”) will now permit charities to hold electronic raffles both in-person and online, including the sale of tickets as well as the ability to pick winners and award prizes.
According to Info Bulletin No. 89: Expanding Raffle and Electronic Raffle Options for Charities in Ontario (the “Bulletin”), as published on November 30, 2018, the changes include an expanded variety of online raffles and raffle types that can now be conducted and managed electronically both in-person and online. The Bulletin also states that the AGCO is working towards an updated framework that would permit municipalities and First Nations licensing authorities to issue not just licences for paper-based raffles, as they are currently permitted, but also licences for charities to conduct and manage electronic raffles, for which the AGCO is currently the only licensing authority.
The new changes are now reflected in AGCO’s Electronic Raffles: Licensing webpage, which provides step-by-step information for charities applying for a gaming licence, including a new video as well as AGCO’s raffle licence terms and conditions. Similarly, AGCO’s Charitable Gaming: Suppliers webpage provides certain minimum technical standards that electronic raffle systems are required to meet. The AGCO has also updated its Notification Matrix for notifications to be submitted to the AGCO prior to an electronic raffle event as well as the reporting of incidents involving electronic raffles.
Ontario charities whose fundraising efforts include electronic raffles, either in-person or online or both, will want to pay attention to these changes as they may apply to their ongoing or planned campaigns.