The Ontario government is establishing new charitable gaming options that will make it easier for people to honour heroes and support their communities at Royal Canadian Legion branches and other local service clubs across the province.
The province is offering a new, free social gaming licence that will allow legions and other local community groups to host small stakes games like bridge, euchre and bingo. Legions and charities will also benefit from new opportunities to fundraise through progressive jackpot (loonie and toonie) raffle lotteries.
The progressive jackpot raffle lottery is a paper-based multiple-draw game where the prize, if not won, is carried over from one draw to the next. Tickets can cost up to $2 to play. For this raffle, there is a maximum prize of $2,500, at which time the pot must be awarded and the raffle starts again.
The types of games permitted under the new social gaming licence will include games such as euchre, cribbage, bridge, and bingo. Casino-type games will be excluded. All prizes must be paid out to players, minus a nominal fee for the organizer to cover expenses. This licence may not be used as a source of revenue or fundraising.
Legions and other community groups can apply for the social gaming licence through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario¡|s online portal as of December 1. Progressive jackpot raffles will be licensed by local municipalities or First Nations with an Order in Council, and will become available in the coming weeks.
All licensees and participants must comply with proof of vaccination requirements, physical distancing measures and any other public health measures issued by the Ontario and/or or local government.
