“Break open tickets” (BOTs) are instant-win lottery tickets, commonly known as “pull tab” or “nevada” tickets and the brand name “Pocket Slots.” Break open tickets:

  • are made of cardboard;
  • have one or more perforated cover window tabs that conceal winning and losing numbers or symbols;
  • are played by tearing off the cover tabs; and
  • also include seal cards and bingo event tickets.

7.1.0 (A) Other types of break open ticket games

Some break open ticket games offer the traditional instant prizes and a chance to win a secondary/special prize. Two such games are “seal card” games and “bingo event ticket” games.

7.1.0 (a) (i) Seal card games

Seal card games feature tickets called “hold tickets” that provide certain players a chance at a secondary prize or prizes determined by removing a window from a larger break open ticket known as a “seal card.” The seal card is opened to reveal winning numbers or symbols that match the numbers or symbols on the player’s “hold” ticket.

See “7.4.1(A) Seal card game policies”, and the Break Open Ticket Licence Terms and Conditions for further information.

For pooling bingo halls operating under the Bingo Revenue Model, see the Charitable Gaming Events Conducted and Managed in Pooling Bingo Halls Terms and Conditions, and Financial Management and Administration of Pooling Bingo Halls Terms and Conditions for further information.

7.1.0 (a) (ii) Bingo event ticket games

Similar to the seal card game, a “bingo event ticket” game also provides players a chance at a secondary/ special prize. The difference is that these games are conducted in conjunction with licensed bingo events and feature “hold” tickets that contain bingo ball numbers or symbols based on the number of bingo balls being used in the bingo event. The winner of the bingo event ticket game prize(s) is determined by matching the bingo ball symbol(s) on the hold ticket with one or more of the bingo numbers called during a licensed bingo event or dabbing a pattern of bingo ball numbers or symbols on the game ticket during a bingo event.

See “7.4.1(B) Bingo event ticket game policies”, and the Break Open Ticket Licence Terms and Conditions for further information.

For pooling bingo halls operating under the Bingo Revenue Model, see the Charitable Gaming Events Conducted and Managed in Pooling Bingo Halls Terms and Conditions and and Financial Management and Administration of Pooling Bingo Halls Terms and Conditions for further information.

7.1.1. APPROVED BREAK OPEN TICKETS

In order to be approved for sale in Ontario, all break open tickets, including seal card games and bingo event game tickets, must comply with the Registrar’s requirements and standards related to break open tickets, including the Standards for Suppliers of Goods and Services: Break Open Tickets.

Schedules of approved break open tickets are available from the Registrar and can be found on the AGCO website.

7.1.2. KEY DEFINITIONS FOR BREAK OPEN TICKETS

Break open tickets are packaged in “boxes” within “deals” and are identified by “type” and “style.”

Deal: Refers to each separate series of break open tickets with the same serial number.

Box: Refers to a separately sealed box of break open tickets within a deal, as shipped by the Gaming- Related Supplier.

Type: Refers to the number of tickets per deal, the price of each ticket and the total prize value per deal.

Style: Refers to the combination of approved graphics (such as bells, boats or fruit) and prize structure used for the break open tickets. There may be many different styles within a break open ticket type, as approved graphics may be used with any type, and several different prize structures may be approved for each type.

Prize Structure: Refers to the number and combination of winning tickets and prize amounts used to reach the total prize value in the break open ticket type, as approved by the Registrar.

Prize structure example:

Number of Winning Tickets = 223 Total Prizes = $1,015

1 x $300 =$300

4 x $100 =$400

1 x $50= $50

2 x $25 =$50

215 x $1 =$215

Graphics: Refers to the symbols (such as bells, boats or fruit) and any other approved illustrations appearing on the break open tickets.

Break open tickets are sold either in a transparent container or an approved break open ticket “dispenser.”

Container: A clear box from which an attendant manually withdraws break open tickets. Break open ticket containers do not require prior approval by the Registrar.

Dispenser: A break open ticket dispenser is an electrical or mechanical device used to dispense break open tickets. Break open ticket dispensers must be approved by the Registrar and manufactured by a manufacturer registered as a Gaming-Related Supplier registered under the Gaming Control Act, 1992.

7.1.3. BREAK OPEN TICKET SUPPLIERS

Licensees may purchase break open tickets directly from any manufacturer that is registered as a Gaming-Related Supplier under the Gaming Control Act, 1992.

Registered Gaming-Related Suppliers are permitted to supply break open tickets to licensees for sale at bingo halls or other charitable gaming sites, third-party locations or their own premises.

Cash, rebates, loyalty rewards and other similar incentives to registered third-party locations that sell break open tickets (break open ticket Sellers and OLG Lottery Retailers) in order to obtain the use of, or to secure the continued use of, their services is not permitted and may result in administrative sanction.

A list of approved manufacturers of break open tickets for the Ontario market is available from the Registrar.