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Further to the recent issue of the snow-melt regulations regarding the
fundraising efforts by the local Rotary Club in Southampton, the
following is the official ruling:
The Town’s position is that the municipality has been tasked with
administering and enforcing the Lottery License Rules and Regulations
imposed by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO). Regardless
of how fun or supportive we are of local organizations and their
fundraising creativity we have no authority to change AGCO’s Rules and
Regulations.
AGCO has determined there are only 10 types of ‘raffle’ events that are
legal. If the raffle doesn’t fall within one of the following types of
raffles, the municipality has no authority to license the event.
AGCO was contacted regarding the Rotary Club’s request and AGCO
confirmed that the request must be denied.
Click for the
gaming website
Our municipal representative at AGCO is Mr. Rusty Parr 416-314-0539.
AGCO considers a “Snow melt” draw to be similar to a “jalopy draw” which
is betting on when the ice will let go and the jalopy and/or flag falls
into the river.
Unfortunately, there is potential for someone to tamper with this type
of lottery event making it unfair to all of the participants.
We would like to think that no one would tamper with the pile of snow,
but someone may find it funny to pull a prank on the snowbank affecting
the rate of melt, or decide to add more snow to the pile. Because this
lottery event cannot be monitored 24/7 there is additional risk beyond
the organization’s control that AGCO will not approve. Unfortunately,
not everyone shares the same sense of humour and there can be sore
losers or concerned citizens that will complain about an unfair lottery
event. So AGCO is in place to ensure fairness.
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Last year, municipal staff licensed the Southampton Rotary
Club for their snow melt lottery; however, when staff
attended training this fall we were informed it was an
illegal lottery event. Staff questioned the trainer and
explained that the rules are too strict and it is very
difficult in a small town to deny a local organization a
raffle licence, but AGCO has to apply the same rules
Province wide and had little sympathy for the staff’s plea.
The following are the 10 types of raffles that can be
licensed by the municipality, provided the lottery scheme
meets AGCO’s terms and conditions.
(a) Stub Draw
(b) Elimination Draw
(c) Calendar Draw
(d) “Golf Ball Drop” Raffle Lottery
(e) Rubber Duck Race
(f) 50/50 Draw
(g) Blanket Raffle Licence
(h) Meat Spin/Turkey Roll
(i) “Name the Raffle” lottery
(j) Bossy Bingo/Cow Patty Bingo
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