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General Information and Eligibility

General Information

The SLGA is responsible for the licensing and regulation of charitable gaming in Saskatchewan. SLGA issues licences for bingo, breakopen, raffle lotteries, Texas Hold 'em poker and Monte Carlo (mock casino) events to charitable organizations throughout the province.

SLGA issues licences in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada, Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act and The Gaming Licensing Regulations. Licences are issued, as outlined in Section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, to charitable or religious organizations provided the proceeds from the lottery scheme are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose.

SLGA is also responsible to ensure licensees conduct their lottery scheme in compliance with SLGA policy and the Terms and Conditions pursuant to their licence.

SLGA's Charitable Gaming Manual provides detailed information on SLGA's policies, eligiblity and procedures and is intended to provide guidance respecting charitable gaming licensing.  View the manual.

All charitable or religious groups and organizations licensed by SLGA under section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code to conduct bingo, breakopen ticket sales, raffles, Texas Hold ‘em poker and Monte Carlo (mock casino) events are eligible to receive a charitable gaming grant of 25 per cent of net proceeds raised, to a maximum of $100,000 annually.


Charitable or religious organizations/purposes are generally divided into four classifications:

  1. Relief of poverty. Examples of relief of poverty include:

    1. Programs which provide relief of the disadvantaged

    2. Social services and educational programs for the emotionally or physically distressed.

  2. Advancement of education. Examples of advancement of education include:

    1. Student scholarships

    2. Aid to schools

    3. Aid to libraries

    4. Aid to museums

    5. Aid to the arts or

    6. Aid to the preservation of cultural heritage.

  3. Advancement of religion:

    1. Organizations such as churches, parishes, congregations, and lay groups, involved in furthering religious principles or objectives.

  4. General benefit to the broad community. Examples of purposes deemed to be of general benefit to the broad community include:

    1. Improvements to the quality of health

    2. Support of medical research

    3. Aid to medical treatment programs

    4. Supply a facility for the community’s use or

    5. Support of eligible competitive amateur athletics.


FAQs

What does charitable gaming include?

In Saskatchewan, licensed forms of charitable gaming include bingo, breakopen tickets, raffles, Texas Hold ‘em Poker and Monte Carlo Events (mock casino).

Do all raffles need to be licensed?

Yes. The Criminal Code of Canada states that all gaming is illegal, unless it is licensed or operated by a government; and that licensing authorities in each province may only license charitable or religious organizations to raise funds through lottery schemes.

Who is eligible for a charitable gaming licence?

Charitable or religious organizations are eligible if proceeds are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose. See Section 6 - Eligibility in the Licensing and Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual for further information.

How do I apply for a charitable gaming licence?

SLGA issues licences for charitable gaming including: raffles, bingo, Texas Hold 'em Poker , Monte Carlo Events (mock casino), and breakopen tickets (commonly referred to as ‘Nevada’ tickets).

All applicants must completely fill out the application for the particular licence they wish to obtain. New applicants may also be asked to attach a copy of the organization’s incorporation papers, constitution, bylaws, and minutes of the formation meeting with the application.

Each organization is required to have a separate chequing account, with monthly returned cheques, that is for gaming revenue only. Organizations must deposit all gaming proceeds into this account.

How can groups spend the money raised?

Proceeds from gaming events must be used for a charitable or religious object or purpose as prescribed by section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The four categories of charitable purpose are:

  • relief of poverty

  • advancement of education

  • advancement of religion and,

  • other purposes that are of broad community benefit as a whole.