How to Get a Lottery License in Quebec for a Nonprofit (2026 Guide)

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Table des matières

• Step-by-Step: How to Get a Lottery License in Quebec for Your Nonprofit

• How to get a lottery license for your nonprofit's next event

• Quebec lottery license types: Which one does your nonprofit need?

• Are online ticket sales for nonprofits allowed in Quebec?

• Combien coûte une licence de loterie au Québec ?

• Timeline to apply for your nonprofit's lottery license in Quebec

• What needs to be on a nonprofit lottery ticket in Quebec?

• Common mistakes that delay or derail your lottery license application

• Good things to know about charitable lottery regulations in Quebec

• After your nonprofit's lottery has taken place

• Frequently asked questions about Quebec nonprofit lottery licenses

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Quebec, like every province or territory in Canada, has its own set of rules and regulations governing lottery for charity. We've broken down Quebec's charitable lottery regulations for you and done our best to explain a few of the trickier parts. If you're planning on running a charitable lottery in Quebec and are wondering if, for example, you need a nonprofit raffle licence in Quebec, we're going to do our best to help.

Before we get into the details, we just want to say that, yes you can use Zeffy's zero-fee fundraising platform to sell tickets online in Quebec. We've written down the steps for setting up your online raffle, but you should keep reading before you get started.

In Quebec, the Rgie des alcools, des courses et des jeux Quebec (RACJ) is responsible for approving lottery licenses. There are a few elements to keep in mind when your nonprofit is applying for a charitable lottery license in Quebec. So, although we do our best to keep this article up-to-date, we recommend checking in with RACJ every so often.

Oh, and disclaimer, their site and documents are in French only. If you'd like English copies, you can contact the RACJ here.

Now that you know the eligibility basics and the documents involved, here's the full process laid out in sequence — so you can move from application to approved license without backtracking.

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Step-by-Step: How to Get a Lottery License in Quebec for Your Nonprofit

Navigating Quebec's charitable lottery licensing process is straightforward once you know the exact sequence. Here's every step your organization needs to complete, in order, to legally sell raffle or lottery tickets in the province.

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Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Before filling out a single form, verify that your organization qualifies. The RACJ issues lottery licenses only to registered charitable or religious organizations operating in Quebec. Your nonprofit must have existed for at least one year and must demonstrate that proceeds will fund a recognized charitable purpose — social, cultural, educational, or community-oriented.

If your organization is newly incorporated, you'll need to wait until the one-year threshold is met. Don't skip this step. Applying before you're eligible wastes time and the non-refundable application fee.

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Step 2: Gather Your Required Documents

Collect the following before opening the application:

• Proof of charitable registration or incorporation documents

• Your organization's most recent financial statements

• A clear description of the charitable cause the lottery proceeds will support

• Details of the lottery itself: prize value, ticket price, number of tickets, draw date, and location

Having these on hand prevents delays mid-application. The RACJ will return incomplete submissions, which pushes back your 30-day window.

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Step 3: Complete Form RACJ-4200

Form RACJ-4200 is the primary lottery license application. Fill it out in full, including your organization's legal name, contact information, lottery details, and intended use of funds.

Incomplete fields are the most common reason applications are returned. Review every section carefully before moving on. This form is in French — if you need an English version, contact the RACJ directly before you start.

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Step 4: Complete the Required Annexes

Depending on your lottery type, you'll also need to complete the relevant annexes:

• Annexe A (RACJ-4210): Details of the prizes being offered

• Annexe E (RACJ-4250): Description of the charitable project the proceeds will fund

• Annexe F (RACJ-4260): Financial breakdown and license fee calculation

• Rsolution (RACJ-4270): Names your organization's designated representative to the RACJ

Check the RACJ's current application package to confirm which annexes apply to your specific lottery format.

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Step 5: Pay the License Fee

License fees are calculated based on the total value of prizes offered. Submit payment as directed by the RACJ at the time of application. Fee amounts are set by provincial regulation and are non-refundable, so confirm the prize value is finalized before paying. See the fee table in the "How much does a lottery license cost" section below for exact amounts.

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Step 6: Submit Your Application at Least 30 Days Before Ticket Sales Begin

The RACJ requires applications to be received a minimum of 30 days before you plan to sell your first ticket. Submit early to account for any requests for additional information. Late submissions will delay your license and could force you to push back your draw date.

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Step 7: Receive Your License and Submit a Sample Ticket Within 30 Days

Once approved, you'll receive your lottery license. You're then required to submit a sample raffle ticket to the RACJ within 30 days of receiving your license. The sample ticket must display all mandatory information — license number, organization name, ticket price, prize description, draw date, and draw location — on the correct faces of the ticket. Your draw can't proceed until this step is complete.

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Step 8: Complete Post-Lottery Reporting

After the draw, your organization must file a financial report with the RACJ detailing ticket sales, revenue collected, expenses, and how the net proceeds were distributed to the charitable cause. Form RACJ-4300 or RACJ-4310 is used for this report, depending on your lottery type. Missing this filing can affect your eligibility for future licenses.

Following these eight steps in sequence keeps your organization compliant and your lottery on schedule.

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How to get a lottery license for your nonprofit's next event

To be eligible for a lottery license in Quebec your organization needs to be a nonprofit "engaged in charitable or religious objects or purposes" and the money you raise needs to be intended for charitable or religious purposes.1 What are charitable or religious purposes? Well, according to the RACJ, they are:

• Le soulagement de la souffrance ou de la pauvreté.

• La promotion de l'éducation.

• Tout autre objectif en faveur de la culture, des arts, des sports ou des intérêts de la communauté.

Votre OBNL peut demander une licence de loterie pour.. :

• Les tirages au sort tels que les tombolas et les tirages 50/50 lors d'une campagne de collecte de fonds.

• Casinos de bienfaisance.

_One license can cover multiple lotteries._

To request a license, fill out the demande de licence de systmes de loterie form and include the necessary documentation for a raffle or 50/50 draw:

• The Demande de licence de systmes de loterie.

• Annexe A – Renseignements sur les activits de tirage.

• Annexe E – Description des projets mens des fins charitables ou religieuses.

• Annexe F – Frais d'tude et droits payables.

• Rsolution: Reprsentant auprs de la Rgie des alcools, des courses et des jeux.

• Règlement de la tombola ou du tirage au sort 50/50.

Once your nonprofit has its lottery license, you'll need to send in:

• Un modèle d'avis de contravention. (Ce document doit être fourni dans les 30 jours suivant l'obtention du permis de conduire).

• Ratio of gross profits to net profits. (No later than 60 days after your license expires.)

• Un rapport annuel en fonction du type d'agrément que votre association a reçu.

• If requested: Proof that profits were used for the charitable or religious purposes for which the license was issued.

La liste complète des documents à joindre à votre demande se trouve ici.

Before diving into the costs and ticket requirements, it's worth understanding which license type applies to your fundraiser — because the forms and rules differ depending on the format you choose.

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Quebec lottery license types: Which one does your nonprofit need?

Quebec's charitable lottery regulations cover three main formats. Choosing the wrong category means completing the wrong forms and potentially restarting your application.

Draws (raffles and 50/50s) are the most common format for nonprofits. A draw involves selling numbered tickets and selecting winners at random. Raffles typically feature pre-set prizes, while 50/50 draws split the total pot between the winning ticket holder and your cause. Both require Form RACJ-4200 and the associated annexes. One important distinction: 50/50 draws cannot be held electronically. Tickets must be sold and distributed in person at the event.

Charity casinos involve running casino-style games (card games, wheels of fortune, etc.) at a fundraising event. These require a separate license category and have additional rules around who can operate the games, the types of games permitted, and the physical setup of the event. If you're planning a casino night fundraiser, review the RACJ's specific requirements for charity casinos before applying.

Instant win games are a third category where participants win (or don't) at the moment of purchase rather than waiting for a draw. These are less common for nonprofit fundraisers but are permitted under Quebec lottery regulations with the appropriate license.

Most nonprofits running a standard raffle or year-end draw will fall under the "draws" category. If you're unsure which license type fits your event, contact the RACJ directly before submitting your application. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons applications are returned.

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Are online ticket sales for nonprofits allowed in Quebec?

If you're wondering, yes, you can use Zeffy's free event management and ticketing platform to sell tickets online. Phew! The only exception is that 50/50 draws are not allowed to be held electronically. Tickets for this type of raffle must be sold and distributed at the event.

Zeffy is trusted by over 100,000 nonprofits that have raised more than $2 billion combined — and the platform meets all RACJ electronic lottery requirements, so you keep every dollar raised.

To sell lottery tickets or draw winners online in Quebec you need to submit the licence de fournisseur de systmes lectroniques along with:

• Annexe A – Renseignements personnels : demande relative une licence de fournisseur de systmes lectroniques

La plateforme en ligne que vous utilisez pour la vente de billets en ligne doit : (Zeffy respecte tous ces critères).

• Limiter la période de mise en vente des billets.

• Disposer d'un mécanisme permettant de s'assurer que l'acheteur se trouve au Québec et qu'il est âgé de plus de 18 ans.

• Activer le paiement sécurisé.

• Disposer d'un mécanisme permettant de s'assurer que les participants acceptent les politiques de confidentialité (loi 25) et les règles de participation et de fonctionnement.

• Protéger les informations personnelles des participants conformément aux lois applicables.

• Permettre l'annulation d'un billet après la vente.

• De plus, votre association doit conserver toutes les données pertinentes pendant deux ans après l'expiration de votre licence.

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_You still need the original printing certificate for your tickets._

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Combien coûte une licence de loterie au Québec ?

License fees are set by provincial regulation and are non-refundable. They're calculated based on your lottery type and total prize value. Here's a breakdown of the current fee structure for draw-type lotteries (raffles and 50/50s):

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Charity casino fees follow a separate schedule and are not published as a fixed table — contact the RACJ directly for the amounts that apply to your event. Fee amounts for all lottery types are set by Quebec regulation and may change. Always confirm current fees with the Frais d'tude et droits payables (RACJ-4260) form before submitting your application.

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Timeline to apply for your nonprofit's lottery license in Quebec

• Submit the request for your nonprofit's lottery license a minimum 30 days before you start selling tickets.

• Your nonprofit's lottery license is valid for a maximum of one year and is only operational during the dates and times you request.

• Vous devez soumettre tout document supplémentaire dans un délai de 30 jours à 12 mois après la délivrance de votre permis, en fonction du document.

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What needs to be on a nonprofit lottery ticket in Quebec?

Tickets in Quebec need to display quite a bit of information. Here's the complete list. (Plus, we've included an example.)

• Les billets doivent être composés d'au moins deux parties portant le même numéro ou identifiant.

• Le nom de votre organisation à but non lucratif.

• Une liste des prix et la valeur au détail de chaque prix.

• Le nombre de billets imprimés, en indiquant le premier et le dernier numéro.

• Le numéro de série.

• Votre numéro de licence.

• Le prix de vente.

• Le lieu, la date et l'heure du tirage au sort.

• Période pendant laquelle les billets sont vendus.

• Lieu où les billets peuvent être achetés.

• Lieu où les talons doivent être déposés.

• Lieu où les prix doivent être réclamés.

• La procédure de réclamation des prix instantanés.

• La date limite de réclamation des prix.

• Tout règlement intérieur supplémentaire. (Procédures spéciales, etc.)

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Even with all the right information, small errors in your application are enough to trigger a delay. Here's what trips up nonprofits most often.

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Common mistakes that delay or derail your lottery license application

Most application delays come down to the same handful of errors. Knowing them in advance saves you weeks.

Vague or incomplete Annexe E descriptions. The RACJ needs a specific, detailed description of the charitable project your proceeds will fund. Writing "general operating costs" or "community programs" isn't enough. Name the project, describe its beneficiaries, and explain how the funds will be used. Incomplete Annexe E submissions are one of the top reasons applications are returned.

Missing the resolution document. The Rsolution (RACJ-4270) designates an official representative from your organization to liaise with the RACJ. Many first-time applicants overlook it entirely. It needs to be signed by your board or governing body — not just a staff member — so build in time for that approval process.

Applying fewer than 30 days before ticket sales. The 30-day minimum is a hard requirement. If your event date is locked and you apply late, the RACJ won't expedite processing. You'll either push back your sale start date or risk running your lottery without a license — which is illegal.

Changing lottery details after your license is issued. Once the RACJ approves your license, the details are fixed. If you need to change the prize, ticket price, draw date, or location after approval, you must request a modification from the RACJ before making that change public. Unapproved changes can invalidate your license and may require a new application and fee.

Prize value not finalized at time of application. Because fees are calculated based on total prize value, applicants sometimes submit with a rough estimate and then adjust prizes later. This creates a mismatch and can trigger a revised fee request. Finalize your prize list before you start the application.

Not submitting the sample ticket within 30 days of license approval. This is a post-approval step that nonprofits sometimes forget. Your draw can't legally proceed until the RACJ has reviewed and accepted your sample ticket. Build this into your event timeline so it doesn't catch you off guard.

Avoiding these six mistakes won't guarantee instant approval, but it puts you in the best possible position for a clean, first-submission outcome.

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Good things to know about charitable lottery regulations in Quebec

• Vous devrez désigner une personne de votre organisation comme responsable de la loterie.

• You will need to establish exactly what project the proceeds of the lottery will be going towards and provide a description in Annexe E – Description des projets mens des fins charitables ou religieuses.

• Le prix d'un billet de tombola ou de tirage 50/50 ne peut pas inclure un événement ou un dîner.

• Votre association peut faire de la publicité pour votre loterie, mais chaque annonce et chaque document de communication doit comporter les éléments suivants :

• Votre numéro de licence.

• Une liste de prix.

• Lieu où les prix peuvent être réclamés.

• Le délai dans lequel le prix doit être réclamé après la date de fin du tirage au sort.

• Vous ne pouvez vendre vos billets qu'aux résidents du Québec. Gardez cela à l'esprit si vous avez des donateurs de plusieurs provinces. Vous devez indiquer clairement sur vos billets et dans le règlement que seuls les résidents du Québec sont admissibles.

• À l'exception des tirages 50/50, au moins 10 % du bénéfice brut d'une loterie doit être utilisé pour l'achat de lots.

• After a licence has been issued, you cannot make any changes to your lottery without getting the RACJ's approval. (This may require an additional fee.)

• Your lottery licence and rules must be displayed in full view of the donors taking part. (In the case of a draw, your licence must be posted in the place where the lottery is taking place and the rules posted online.)

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After your nonprofit's lottery has taken place

Your work isn't done once your raffle or draw is over. Depending on the type of lottery, there are annual reports that need to be submitted and followed up on.

Still have questions? Here are the ones nonprofits ask most often before and after running a charitable lottery in Quebec.

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Frequently asked questions about Quebec nonprofit lottery licenses

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