Charitable lottery regulations in Newfoundland and Labrador

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

According to the province, to run an online raffle in Newfoundland and Labrador, apply online at least 8 weeks before the first day of ticket sales.

But hey, we suggest you get ahead of the game and apply for your lottery license well before you need it. Rafflebox can't bend time or licensing rules, and we can't launch a raffle without the proper paperwork.

This guide cuts through the noise and lays out everything you need to do to apply for a lottery license in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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

Running a charitable lottery in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Provincial laws say you're going to need a license.

It's easy enough to apply, but a little preparation goes a long way with the Department of Digital Government and Service NL (Service NL). Before applying for a charitable lottery license, make sure:

➡️ You're eligible for the license (19+ and a registered charity or non-profit organization).

➡️ You've finalized your raffle rules and prize descriptions (you'll need these details for your application).

How to apply for a charitable lottery license in Newfoundland and Labrador:

1️⃣ Read the rules and regulations for selling tickets using an Electronic Raffle System (Rafflebox) before applying (yeah, we know you were going to jump ahead).

2️⃣ Read the ticket lottery rules for electronic ticket lotteries.

3️⃣ Apply online.

How much does a lottery license cost?

The licensing fee is 1% of the total prize payout from the lottery event, to be submitted along with the financial report at the end of your raffle.

Wrapping up your raffle fundraiser in Newfoundland and Labrador:

First, pick your winner in the Rafflebox Dashboard.

Then, fill out the Ticket Lottery Financial Report within 60 days of the end of your license. The back of the lottery licence will indicate whether a financial report must be submitted to the Department of Digital Government and Service NL (Service NL) at the end of your raffle. You'll need:

1️⃣ Lottery license number.

2️⃣ Revenue and expenditure numbers.

3️⃣ Details as to how proceeds were used.

4️⃣ Signatures of representatives from your organization.

Lastly, pay the licensing fee at the same time as your submission of the financial report. The method of calculating the fee is on the front on each financial report.

Pro tips before applying for your lottery license in Newfoundland and Labrador:

⭐ Apply online at least 8 weeks before the first day of ticket sales.

⭐ Don't forget to submit the  Ticket Lottery Financial Report within 60 days of the end of your license.

⭐ Use the reports in the Rafflebox Dashboard to help you complete the Ticket Lottery Financial Report.

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.