Catch the Ace progressive raffles sales may now be conducted electronically in person or online
November 30, 2018—The pilot period for the licensing of Catch the Ace progressive raffles has ended and Catch the Ace progressive raffles are now part of the regular raffle offerings in Ontario. In a continued effort to provide charities and religious organizations with flexibility, Catch the Ace raffle ticket sales are now permitted in either paper-based or electronic formats. These formats include ticket sales conducted through an AGCO-approved electronic solution for in-person or online sales. For more details on the Electronic Raffle Regulatory Framework, which now includes Catch the Ace, please see Information Bulletin No. 89.
Charities may apply to the AGCO to conduct initial draws using paper-based ticket sales, and through an amendment request, propose to conduct in-person ticket sales for later draws using AGCO-approved electronic devices. Charities also have the option to conduct Catch the Ace raffle ticket sales online by applying to the AGCO.
KEY CHANGES TO CATCH THE ACE PROGRESSIVE RAFFLES
Catch the Ace raffles can now be conducted and managed electronically. Options include in-person (e.g. handheld devices) or online sales.
No minimum prize board is required to apply for an electronic Catch the Ace raffle licence.
Note: Only the AGCO may issue licences for electronic in-person and online Catch the Ace raffles.
Charities may apply to the AGCO to conduct Catch the Ace draws with prize boards over $50,000, using paper-based ticket sales, and propose, through an amendment request, to conduct ticket sales in-person for later draws using AGCO-approved electronic devices.
Notes:
- Switching from a paper-based Catch the Ace raffle to online sales during the course of a Catch the Ace raffle is not permitted.
- Combining paper-based Catch the Ace raffle ticket sales with electronic Catch the Ace raffle ticket sales in the same draw is not permitted.
- The AGCO requires at least two-week written notice for application amendments, which will not be automatically approved and may not be permitted.
For details on Catch the Ace raffles and how to apply for a licence or an amendment, please see the Catch the Ace page.
LICENSING AUTHORITY FOR CATCH THE ACE RAFFLES
Licences for paper-based Catch the Ace raffles with prize boards up to $50,000 are issued by municipalities and First Nations licensing authorities.
Licences for paper-based Catch the Ace raffles with prize boards over $50,000 are issued by the AGCO.
All licences for electronic Catch the Ace raffles with prizes boards of any amount are issued by the AGCO.
Note: Charities with licences issued by municipalities or First Nations licensing authorities are not eligible to request an amendment to switch over from paper-based ticket sales to electronic ticket sales. Only licences issued by the AGCO are eligible to request this type of amendment.
ELECTRONIC RAFFLE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK EXPANSION
These changes to Catch the Ace raffles are part of phase two of the AGCO Electronic Raffle Regulatory Framework, under which the AGCO is expanding raffle and electronic raffle options for charities in Ontario to provide them greater flexibility and more raffle options. For more information, please see Information Bulletin No. 89.
For more information, submit your questions online at iAGCO or call (416) 326-8700 or toll free 1 (800) 522-2876.
For information about services to help with problem gambling in Ontario, visit www.connexontario.ca or call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600.