Réglementation des loteries caritatives à Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador.

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What is a lottery licence in NL?

In Newfoundland and Labrador, a lottery is any game where participants pay to enter, a winner is chosen by chance, and a prize is awarded. That covers raffles, bingo, break-open tickets, and more.

Charitable lotteries are regulated by the Department of Digital Government and Service NL. You can't run one without a licence. Running an unlicensed lottery is a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada.

There are two categories of lottery in NL:

• Commercial: Run by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation on behalf of the provincial government.
• Charitable: Run by non-profit organizations for charitable purposes.

This guide covers charitable lotteries only.

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Do you need an NL lottery licence?

If you're planning any lottery, raffle, or gaming activity to raise funds, yes — you need a licence. No exceptions.

Apply directly through the Service NL lottery licence portal. Prefer paper? Call 709-729-2660.

You can also download the eligibility application PDF from gov.nl.ca to confirm your organization qualifies before you start.

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Eligibility requirements: who qualifies for a NL lottery licence?

Service NL has specific criteria for eligible organizations. Your organization must be:

• A registered charitable organization
• A religious organization
• A service club or fraternal organization (e.g., Lions, Rotary)
• A non-profit sporting or recreational association
• A non-profit organization that benefits the community

Your organization must also:

• Be based in Newfoundland and Labrador or operate in the province
• Use lottery proceeds exclusively for charitable or community purposes
• Not be a private individual, commercial company, or political party
• Have been in operation for a minimum period (confirm the exact term with Service NL, as it varies by licence type)

If you're unsure whether your organization qualifies, use the eligibility application PDF as a self-screening tool before applying.

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Which NL lottery licence do you need? (All 9 types)

NL has 9 distinct lottery licence types. Here's a summary of each, including maximum prize values, licence fees, and key restrictions.

Note: Fees and prize limits are set by Service NL and subject to change. Always confirm current amounts at gov.nl.ca/dgsnl/lotteries before applying.

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Not sure which type you need? Work through this quick checklist:

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Eligibility Questionnaire — Find Your Licence Type

• Are you selling numbered tickets where winners are drawn? → Ticket Lottery
• Do you want to take ticket orders or payments online? → Online Ticket Sales (add-on to Ticket Lottery)
• Are you running a bingo night? → Bingo
• Are you selling pull-tab or break-open style tickets? → Break-Open Tickets
• Are you running wheels, dice, or card games at an event? → Games of Chance
• Are you running a fair, bazaar, or festival with games? → Bazaar
• Are you auctioning donated items for charity? → Auction
• Is your lottery advertised through TV, radio, or print? → Media Lottery
• Are you hosting a casino-style charity night? → Casino

Still unsure? Contact Service NL directly through the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.

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Licence fees and processing times

Service NL calculates licence fees based on the type of lottery and the total prize value. Here's what you need to know:

• Ticket Lottery fees are tiered based on prize value. Confirm the current fee schedule at gov.nl.ca/dgsnl/lotteries or by calling 709-729-2660.
• Processing times vary. Straightforward applications for smaller lotteries are typically processed faster than complex or high-value applications.
• Apply early. Service NL recommends submitting your application well before your planned lottery start date. Don't assume approval is automatic or immediate.
• Licence period: No NL lottery licence is issued for more than 12 months.

To get the exact current fee for your lottery type and prize value, call Service NL at 709-729-2660 or visit the Service NL lottery portal.

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How to apply for a lottery licence in NL: step by step

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria above. Download the eligibility application PDF to verify your organization qualifies.

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Step 2: Read the rules for your lottery type

Read the relevant rules document before you fill in anything. For ticket lotteries, start with the Ticket Lottery Information Package. For online sales, also read the Online Ticket Sales rules.

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Step 3: Prepare your application materials

Gather the following before starting your application:

• Organization's legal name and registration details
• Description of the lottery (type, dates, prizes)
• Sample ticket (required for ticket lotteries — see the Service NL sample ticket guide)
• Intended use of proceeds
• If selling online: technology platform details, server location confirmation, and IP verification method

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Step 4: Submit your application

Apply online at the Service NL lottery licence portal. Prefer a paper form? Call 709-729-2660.

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Step 5: Wait for approval — don't start yet

Don't sell tickets, promote your lottery, or accept any money until you have your licence in hand.

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Step 6: Display your licence and comply with all conditions

Once approved, you must display your licence number on all lottery-related communications. Keep copies of your licence available at the point of sale.

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Step 7: Submit your financial report

After your lottery closes, you're required to submit a financial report to Service NL. This is mandatory, not optional.

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Regulatory framework: what the law says

Charitable lotteries in NL operate under federal and provincial authority.

At the federal level, lotteries are exempt from Criminal Code gambling prohibitions only when they're licensed by a provincial authority. That's why your Service NL licence matters legally.

At the provincial level, key rules include:

• Maximum licence period: 12 months. No lottery licence in NL runs longer than that.
• Financial reporting: You must file a financial report after every lottery. It must account for all revenue, expenses, and use of proceeds.
• Proceeds use: All net proceeds must go to the charitable purpose stated in your application. You can't redirect funds after the fact.
• Penalties for non-compliance: Running an unlicensed lottery, misusing proceeds, or failing to report can result in fines, licence revocation, and Criminal Code consequences.
• Separate licence per province: Your NL licence is only valid in Newfoundland and Labrador. You need a separate licence for every other province or territory where you sell tickets.

For the full regulatory text, refer to the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly and the Criminal Code of Canada lottery licensing provisions.

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Ticket lottery requirements in NL

Ticket rules

• Prizes under $500: you can use a digital ticketing platform to generate and sell e-tickets.
• Prizes over $500: tickets must be consecutively numbered and commercially printed. See page 3, Schedule D, sections 4 and 5 of the Ticket Lottery rules.

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What your ticket must display

Service NL requires specific information on every ticket. Here's what a compliant ticket looks like, using our example:

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Côté A :

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Face B :

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Use the official Service NL sample ticket as your formatting guide. Our examples above show exactly where each required element belongs.

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What you must display during the lottery

• A copy of your licence
• Open and close dates, draw dates, and all other key dates
• House rules
• Any notices or posters Service NL requires
• Your licence number on all lottery-related communications

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Online ticket sales for NL charitable lotteries

You can run part of your ticket lottery online in NL. Without special permission from Service NL, you're allowed to:

• Take ticket orders online
• Process payments online

That's it. Everything else — the draw, the prize distribution, the tickets themselves — must follow the rules for paper-based ticket lotteries with a manual draw.

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What you need to include in your application if you're selling online

If you plan to sell tickets online, include this information with your licence application:

• The name of your gaming supplier
• How the platform identifies the IP address, credit cardholder address, and mailing address of each purchaser (to confirm they're in NL)
• Copies of all online forms, including purchase confirmation and ticket copies
• Confirmation that the platform's server is located in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Confirmation that Random Number Generators (RNG) are not used
• Confirmation that your online provider is registered through NL's Registry of Companies
• Confirmation that physical tickets will also be printed per Schedule D and sent to purchasers by post or disclosed delivery method upon request
• Confirmation that the winning ticket will be drawn physically and manually using ticket stubs or tokens

If you're planning to use Zeffy's online raffle platform for online sales, mention Zeffy by name in your licence application. Get written approval from Service NL before you start selling.

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Application preparation checklist

Use this checklist before submitting your NL lottery licence application. Print it out or save it.

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Organization details

• [ ] Legal organization name confirmed
• [ ] Proof of charitable or non-profit status ready
• [ ] Organization's purpose and beneficiaries documented

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Lottery details

• [ ] Lottery type identified (from the 9 types above)
• [ ] Prize description and total prize value confirmed
• [ ] Ticket open date, close date, and draw date set
• [ ] House rules written

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Ticket requirements

• [ ] Sample ticket prepared (use Service NL's guide)
• [ ] Tickets are consecutively numbered (if prize over $500)
• [ ] Commercial printer arranged (if prize over $500)

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Online sales (if applicable)

• [ ] Gaming supplier identified
• [ ] Server location in NL confirmed
• [ ] IP and purchaser address verification method documented
• [ ] No RNG confirmation ready
• [ ] Registry of Companies registration of platform confirmed
• [ ] Physical ticket printing and delivery plan documented

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Financial and compliance

• [ ] Proceeds use documented and aligned with charitable purpose
• [ ] Post-lottery financial report process understood
• [ ] Separate licence applications planned for any other provinces

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Submission

• [ ] Application submitted at lotteries-portal.gov.nl.ca
• [ ] Waiting for written approval before selling tickets

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All official NL lottery licence resources in one place

Here's every link you need:

• Service NL Lotteries homepage
• Online lottery licence application portal
• Ticket Lottery Information Package (rules PDF)
• Online Ticket Sales rules PDF
• Sample ticket guide PDF
• Phone: 709-729-2660

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Run your NL raffle with zero fees

Once you've got your licence, Zeffy's free raffle platform lets you sell tickets online with zero fees — meaning 100% of what you raise goes to your cause.

Remember: mention Zeffy in your licence application and get Service NL approval before you go live.

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FAQ

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Charitable lottery regulations in other provinces

• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance en Alberta
• Réglementation des loteries de bienfaisance en Colombie-Britannique
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance au Manitoba
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance au Nouveau-Brunswick
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance en Nouvelle-Écosse
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance en Ontario
• Réglementation des loteries de bienfaisance à l'Î.-P.-É.
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance au Québec
• Règlement sur les loteries de bienfaisance en Saskatchewan