Definitions
Licence means a licence issued to an eligible organization or individual under the Criminal Code (Canada) by or under the authority of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to conduct and manage a lottery scheme approved by the Registrar.
Licensee means an organization which has been issued a licence to conduct a lottery scheme under Section 207 of the Criminal Code (Canada).
Licensing Authority means a person or authority specified by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as a licensing authority for purposes of section 207 of the Criminal Code (Canada). The licensing authority for Social Gaming Events is the Registrar of Alcohol and Gaming.
Registrar means the Registrar for the purposes of the Alcohol, Cannabis and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act, 1996, the Liquor Licence and Act, 2019, the Gaming Control Act, 1992, the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018, and the regulations made under them.
Service Club/Service Organization means a voluntary non-profit organization where members meet regularly to perform charitable works either by direct, hands-on efforts or by raising money for other organizations. Examples include (but are not limited to) Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, seniors’ groups, and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Social Gaming means a casual event at which one or more non–casino type social games such as cards or bingo are played, with betting limited up to two (2) dollars per player and total cash prize(s) awarded for all gaming activities not exceeding $500 per calendar day. All bets are returned to the winner. No fee is charged to play the games, and no revenue is generated from the games.
Social Gaming Licence means a licence permitting the conduct of a Social Gaming event. The Social Gaming Licence is intended for service clubs, community groups, organizations, and individual applicants or charities that host casual social gaming events in public spaces. This licence is not intended for fundraising events, private homes, or as a revenue source for the applicant or organization.
Any Social Gaming Licence issued is subject to the following terms and conditions and the Lottery Licence Terms and Conditions, and may be subject to audit and investigation by the licensing authority. A breach of any term and condition can result in the cancellation or suspension of the licence.
It is a condition of each licence that:
(1) GENERAL
1.1 The licensee is responsible and accountable for the overall conduct and management of the Social Gaming event.
1.2 The licensee must control and decide all operational and administrative requirements related to the conduct of the social game.
1.3 The licensee must comply with all federal, provincial, and municipal laws including the Criminal Code of Canada and the Gaming Control Act, 1992 and Regulations.
1.4 The licensee must conduct the social gaming event in accordance with the information supplied on the application and approved by the licence.
1.5 The licensee must produce the licence on demand.
1.6 Licence is valid for a period of 12 months and can be used to facilitate multiple events over the course of a year.
1.7 Organizations are limited to one licence for social gaming at any time.
1.8 Organizations may not hold multiple licences on any calendar day or at any location.
1.9 This licence shall not be used for fundraising events or as a revenue source for the applicant or organization.
(2) CONDUCT OF THE EVENT
2.1 The licensee must establish rules of play for each game offered, consistent with these terms and conditions, governing the conduct of the Social Gaming event and the awarding of prizes. Rules must be made readily available to all players.
2.2 Minors must not be allowed to participate.
2.3 Games are not permitted on or through an electronic device.
2.4 No other fees, entrance or admission may be charged except as described in section 4.1.
2.5 Casino games are not permitted. Bingo is permitted.
2.6 Licences will not be issued for liquor licensed establishments, excluding service clubs and service organizations.
2.7 Social Gaming Licences are not permitted for private homes.
2.8 Information about services to support problem gambling in Ontario (Connex Ontario, 1-866-531-2600) must be available to players.
(3) PRIZES
3.1 All money received as bets must be awarded as cash prizes, except as set out in 4.1.
3.2 Bet limits on social games may not exceed $2 per person and total cash prize(s) awarded for all gaming activities must not exceed $500 per calendar day. These limits are prescribed by the Criminal Code (Canada) s.207(1)(d).
3.3 If multiple games are being played concurrently throughout the day, all total wagers must not exceed the overall limit of $500.
3.4 The Social Gaming Licence is intended for casual social games where the total wagers are awarded to the winner(s), less permitted expenses, as set out in 4.1.
(4) EXPENSES
4.1 The licensee is permitted to recover up to $50 per day to cover expenses. The organizer is limited to recovering event costs only (that is, providing goods and services at cost) to a maximum of $50 per day.