The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is committed to supporting the charitable gaming sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the AGCO put a number of temporary measures in place to provide flexibility to organizations licensed to conduct charitable lotteries in Ontario. These measures supported the sector when operations had to change in response to public health measures.
The AGCO is providing updates on the status of each of these temporary measures via separate bulletins. This bulletin provides updates regarding the temporary measures that affect Bingo Revenue Model (BRM) halls. The AGCO is pleased to announce that several policies which were developed in response to the pandemic have now been adopted permanently.
Effective February 21, 2023, the following policies will be made permanent:
Paper-based bingo halls can accept credit cards for charitable gaming transactions.
The number of bona fide member volunteers required to be present for the duration of the charitable gaming event has been reduced from three (3) to two (2). This is a balanced and responsible modification of the COVID-19 flexibility that allowed facilities to have only one (1) member present.
These changes demonstrate the AGCO’s ongoing commitment to support Ontario charities by increasing flexibility and reducing burden.
Effective February 21, 2023, the following policies which were put in place in response to previous pandemic-related public health measures will be ending:
BRM halls can no longer apply for a media bingo licence. This will include an end to other related temporary measures, such as using a streaming service to call bingo numbers, as well as distributing bingo cards and prizes through curbside pick-up or as part of an on-site game where customers remain in their parked vehicles and tune into a radio broadcast of the game.
These temporary measures helped halls to continue holding events when indoor spaces were closed due to public health concerns. With halls now open and welcoming players in person again, this temporary accommodation is ending.
The following table summarizes the temporary COVID-19 measures addressed in this Information Bulletin.
| Temporary COVID-19 Measure for Bingo Revenue Model Halls | Status |
|---|---|
Credit Cards allowed in paper-based bingo halls.
| Continuing: Paper-based bingo halls can accept credit cards for charitable gaming transactions. |
Reduced minimum number of bona fide member volunteers in paper-based bingo halls from three (3) to one (1).
| Updated: Minimum number of bona fide member volunteers required to be present in paper-based bingo halls is now two (2). |
Media bingo licences allowed for BRM Halls
| Ending: BRM Halls are no longer permitted to apply for a media bingo licence or use a streaming service to call bingo numbers.
|
Relevant Resources
The Lottery Licensing Policy Manual and applicable Terms and Conditions and Standards documents will be updated to reflect these changes.
Other recent updates to temporary COVID-19 measures and related bulletins for the charitable gaming sector can be found by clicking the links below:
Remaining COVID-19 related temporary measures for charitable organizations are also being reviewed. More updates will follow.
Contact the AGCO for More Information
Charitable gaming-related inquiries can be sent directly to the AGCO’s Eligibility Officers at lottery.licensing@agco.ca. AGCO Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.