Apply for a Break open ticket licence (Provincial or BOT+)

A break open ticket (BOT) is a device made of cardboard and which has perforated cover window tabs behind which are symbols revealed by tearing open the cover tab. The winning combination of symbols is specified on the back of the ticket. Break open tickets are also known as “Nevada tickets” or “pull tabs”.

A provincial break open ticket licence allows charities and religious groups with a provincial mandate that are eligible for lottery licensing to manage break open ticket events across Ontario.If your organization does not have a provincial mandate, you can still apply for a regular break open ticket licence.

A BOT+ licence permits eligible charitable organizations to sell a single ticket which includes a BOT with another BOT and/or raffle game on a single charitable gaming ticket. Eligible charities may sell a single ticket which includes a BOT and up to two other games (BOT or raffle).

BOT+ licences are only issued by the AGCO.

If your provincial break open ticket event is not part of another licensed gaming event and if the tickets are only sold within your municipality, you can apply directly to your local municipality. To do this, complete the Break Open Ticket Licence Application form and submit it to your municipality. 

You need a “charitable gaming eligibility” (CGE) number to apply for a provincial break open ticket licence.  

Learn more about applying for CGE. 

Note: Private and Public sector organizations that want to manage lottery events on behalf of United Way or Federated Health don’t need a CGE. However, you’ll need a letter of agreement with the United Way or Federated Health. 

Charities must apply to the AGCO to obtain individual licences for all games included on the BOT+ ticket. For example, if a BOT+ ticket contains a BOT and a raffle, the licensed charity must follow all existing BOT and raffle policies. Submission of the BOT+ Licence application must precede submission of the raffle licence application.

Licenses held under a BOT+ offering must be issued by the AGCO.

The fee for a break open ticket licence is up to 3% of prizes.

For a BOT+ licence, separate fees will be paid for each licence as per existing fee rules and schedules for each game type.

Please have these items ready:

• your organization's CGE number or the file number of your CGE application (if it’s in process)
  • if you’re managing a lottery event on behalf of the United Way or Federated Health, you don’t need a CGE number, but you do need a letter of agreement from the United Way or Federated Health  
• list of break open ticket (provincial or BOT+) sale locations  
• rules of play that include:
  • a description of how each game is played
  • prize value for each game
  • number and price of fixed prize raffle tickets to be sold, if applicable
  • how winners are determined
  • how to end a game that doesn’t go as planned  
  • an exit strategy if there’s a progressive prize
• completed and signed Signature of Principals form (sample form is provided)

If you’re applying for the first time you need to set up an iAGCO account:

1. Go to the iAGCO online portal .
2. Click on Create a New Account at the top of the page.
3. Complete all the details on the screen.  
4. Confirm your account registration through the confirmation email iAGCO sends you.
5. Make sure the mailing address you have given to AGCO is up to date.

When you have an iAGCO account set up:

1. Log in to your iAGCO account.
2. Click on the link to Start a New Application under New Applications.
3. Select Charitable Gaming Lottery Licences on the New Application screen. Choose Break Open Ticket Event Licence (Provincial or BOT+) as the type of application on the following screen.
4. Go through all the screens. Answer all the questions. Submit the documents the application asks for. 

Apply for a licence now

Once you’ve submitted your application, the AGCO will review it. The AGCO makes every effort to process licence applications in a timely manner. We may ask for more information if we need to.

The AGCO will let you know when we’ve finished processing your application. If the AGCO approves your application, we’ll send you an e-mail with a link to get a copy of your licence through your iAGCO account. The AGCO will contact you if your application isn’t approved. 

Once you’ve been approved for a licence, you need to run your charitable lottery event in the right way. Read the Terms and conditions for charitable lottery licensing.  

Once you’ve got your registration, you need to conduct and manage your bingo event responsibly. Read the Terms and Conditions for charitable lottery licencing.

• Break Open Ticket Licence Terms and Conditions
• BOT+ Terms and Conditions
• Schedule of Approved Break Open Ticket Types and Associated Expense Maximums
• List of Approved BOT Manufacturers
• Raffle Licence Terms and Conditions