Charitable lottery regulations in Canada

Feb 12, 2025

Running a 50/50 draw, prize raffle, or some other fundraising lottery in Canada? You need to play by the rules — or risk it all getting shut down.

If you want to run an online raffle in Canada, you must apply for a provincial lottery licence from the proper licensing body. No licence, no raffle.

Disclaimer: The charitable lottery licensing resources presented by Rafflebox are for educational and informational purposes only. Regional regulators are the ultimate authority in licensing and regulations, which are subject to change at the regulator's discretion. It is the raffle administrator's responsibility to consult with their local regulator to ensure they understand and abide by the licensing requirements for their region.

What’s considered a charitable lottery?

If your fundraiser has these ingredients, it’s a lottery, and you’re going to need approval:

✅ A chance to win. Someone’s got to lose.

✅ An entry fee. If they’re paying to play, it counts.

✅ A prize. Cash, cars, or something else people actually want.

Think 50/50 draw, prize raffle, home lottery — you get the idea.

How to apply for a charitable lottery licence in:

1️⃣ Alberta

2️⃣ British Columbia

3️⃣ Manitoba

4️⃣ New Brunswick

5️⃣ Newfoundland and Labrador

6️⃣ Nova Scotia

7️⃣ Ontario

8️⃣ Prince Edward Island

9️⃣ Quebec

🔟 Saskatchewan 

Stick to the rules, file your paperwork, and run a raffle that’s legit.

Got questions? We're here to answer them.

Let’s make your fundraiser a success without breaking a sweat — or the law.