Christmas raffle for a Canadian charity: licence rules
Planning a Christmas raffle or 50/50 draw? See how provincial licences work in Canada, what Ontario and Québec require, and how to keep donations separate.
In short In Canada a charitable raffle needs a provincial licence under section 207 of the Criminal Code, and the rules differ by province. Apply 30 to 45 days ahead, keep the draw simple, never call a ticket a donation, and give donors a separate way to give by donation page. Ask your regulator before selling tickets.
Why does a Christmas raffle need a licence?
Section 207 of the Criminal Code lets charitable and religious organizations run a lottery when the proceeds go to a charitable or religious purpose, but only with a licence from the province. There is no federal exemption for small groups, so the province decides when you need one.
That includes the classic 50/50 draw. Treat the licence as step one of your plan, not paperwork to sort out later. If you are still choosing an idea, start with our Christmas fundraising ideas for Canadian charities.
How does it work in Ontario?
In Ontario, a raffle with total prizes up to $50,000 and paper tickets is licensed by your municipality. Above $50,000, or with an electronic raffle, you apply to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
Your organization must be a non-profit based in Ontario and active in charitable work for at least one year. New applicants should apply at least 45 days before the event, and existing licence holders at least 30 days. The AGCO page lists a licence fee of 3 percent of the prizes, so read the current fee schedule before you set your budget. Electronic raffles can carry extra conditions, such as a standby letter of credit when fixed prizes pass $10,000.
How does it work in Québec?
In Québec, the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux (RACJ) issues a class A licence to charitable or religious organizations based in the province. It covers draws, instant lotteries, casino nights and wheels of fortune.
Total yearly revenue from all systems under that licence cannot exceed $20,000. The licence is valid for 1 year, and you apply at least 30 days before ticket sales or the event begin. The RACJ says class A systems may not use electronic tools to generate tickets, pick winners or award prizes, although a website used only to sell tickets is allowed.
Keep your records for 2 years and spend the profit within a year of the licence ending. The province has also announced newer options such as electronic draws and a simplified half and half draw, but we could not confirm the current conditions, so ask the RACJ.
What about the other provinces?
We have not confirmed the rules for British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, the Atlantic provinces or the others, so we do not quote them here. Whether a small raffle is allowed without a licence is also unconfirmed.
Contact your provincial gaming regulator before you print anything. A licence from one province is not valid in another, so a charity that sells tickets to supporters in several provinces should ask each regulator how that works. If you are unsure which office to call, ask your municipality first.
Can you sell raffle tickets online?
Federally, computers are generally excluded from lotteries, with one exception. For charitable raffles, including the 50/50 draw, section 207 allows a computer to be used for selling a ticket, selecting a winner or distributing a prize. Beyond that, the province sets the conditions.
So the answer depends on where you are. Québec class A allows an online shop for tickets only, while Ontario treats electronic raffles as an AGCO matter. We could not confirm a rule that covers every province, so describe your plan to the regulator in writing and keep their reply.
Is a raffle ticket a donation?
No. According to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), buying a lottery ticket is not a gift, so you cannot issue an official donation receipt for the ticket price. Do not present a raffle on your donation page as a gift that earns a tax receipt.
Keep the two things apart. Tickets are a purchase with a chance to win, while a donation is a gift that may earn a receipt if you are a registered charity. If you want to understand receipts in full, read our guide to donation receipts at Christmas in Canada.
How do you plan a raffle that runs smoothly?
A simple plan beats a clever one. Work backwards from your draw date, and build in the licence waiting time first.
- 12 weeks out: ask your provincial regulator or municipality which licence you need, and what it costs.
- 10 weeks out: submit the application, at least 45 days before the draw if you are a new applicant in Ontario, and at least 30 days before ticket sales start in Québec.
- 6 weeks out: confirm prizes, ideally donated by local businesses, and agree how the draw will be witnessed.
- 4 weeks out: open ticket sales only once the licence is in your hands.
- After the draw: publish the winners if your licence allows it, and keep your records.
Ask a board member or a neutral volunteer to oversee the draw so everyone can trust it. For a wider timeline, see how to plan a Christmas fundraiser.
How to do it with WeGlow.world
A raffle sells tickets, but your supporters may also want to simply give. If your organization is on WeGlow.world, the donation page takes a donor from amount to personal details to summary in three steps, works on a phone, and offers one-off and monthly gifts. It is a good home for the donations that sit beside your raffle, kept clearly separate from ticket sales.
Our four Christmas experiences are still concepts until the official launch. In the Glow Room, a 3D living room with a Christmas tree, every gift becomes a decoration on the tree. The Card Wall hangs envelopes on a string, and every card is a stamp. Supporters can also start their own fundraising page, and you can set up a thank-you text. Start free with an account, or contact us with questions.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions charities ask us most about Christmas raffles.
Do I always need a licence for a Christmas raffle in Canada?
Section 207 of the Criminal Code requires a provincial licence for a charitable lottery, and there is no federal exemption for small groups. We could not confirm whether any province allows a very small raffle without one, so ask your provincial regulator.
How long before the draw should I apply?
In Ontario, new applicants should apply at least 45 days ahead and existing licence holders 30 days. In Québec, class A applications go in at least 30 days before sales or the event. Elsewhere, ask the regulator.
Can I run a 50/50 draw online?
Section 207 allows a computer to be used for selling tickets, selecting a winner or distributing the prize in a charitable raffle, including the 50/50 draw. Your province may still limit the electronic part, as Québec does for class A, so confirm first.
Can I give a tax receipt for a raffle ticket?
No. The CRA says buying a lottery ticket is not a gift, so no official donation receipt can cover the ticket price. Donations made separately by supporters can be receipted if you are a registered charity.
Does an Ontario licence cover Québec?
No. Licensing is provincial, so a licence from one province does not apply in another. If you sell tickets to supporters elsewhere, ask each regulator what is allowed.
Sources
Checked on October 9, 2026: