First application for a gaming event licence?
Most gaming in B.C. requires a licence. Your community group or organization
may be eligible to receive a licence to hold a gaming event that earns revenue to
benefit important programs and services in your area.
A licence must be applied for in advance of the proposed gaming event. Licensees
are responsible for, among other things, following the guidelines and standard
procedures related to the gaming event and for using the proceeds to support the
eligible programs stated in the licence.
Eligibility
If your group or organization is planning to hold a gaming event for the purpose
of raising funds to benefit the broader community or a third party, you must apply
for either a Class A, B or D gaming event licence. The class of licence you'll want
depends on how your group or organization is structured, how much money you expect
to raise, the value of your prizes and the price of your tickets. The following table
will help you determine the correct licence for your event.
Determining the correct type of licence for your gaming event
The table below shows the classes of licence available and, for each class, the gaming
events that can be offered and the total revenue that may be earned. Most gaming events
are available in all licence classes, but there are a few restrictions.
Individual sports teams are invited to apply for a Class D Licence. They are
not eligible for a Class B Licence unless they meet the organizational eligibility criteria
outlined in Section 8 of the Class A and B Licence - Guidelines
 .
If the game you would like to offer is not included in the table below, the game
probably is not permitted in B.C., and therefore no licence is available.
Promotional contests are not considered 'gaming' — the difference being in gaming you 'pay to play'
whereas contests are free.
| Gaming category |
Specific games and location |
Class A
More than $20,000 in gross revenue |
Class B
$20,000 or less in gross revenue |
Class D
$5,000 or less in gross revenue. |
| Ticket Raffles |
Regular raffles, 50/50 draws, meat draws, sports pools, sports player drafts,
calendar raffles, payroll raffles, cow pie bingo, New Year's baby, rubber duck races, poker rides,
cake walks and other such schemes.
Conducted and managed by the licensee in various locations in the community.
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, except for payroll raffles.
Maximum $2 per single ticket, maximum $500 per single prize.
|
| Poker |
Limited Texas Hold'em poker events.
Conducted and managed by licensee in various locations in the
community.
|
No |
Yes |
No |
| Independent Bingos |
Regular bingos, combination games, pre-called and odd-even games,
progressive prize games and bonus games.
Conducted and managed by the licensee in various locations in the community.
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes, but no progressive prize or bonus bingos.
Maximum $2 per single ticket, maximum $500 per single prize.
|
| Wheels of Fortune |
Typical wheel of fortune games: Money Wheel, Crown and Anchor,
7 Under/Over, and Colour Wheel.
Not permitted:
Roulette and Sic Bo.
Conducted and managed by licensees of social occasion casinos and approved
community fairs or exhibitions.
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Social Occasion Casinos |
Up to 15 games.
Three types of games permitted:
Blackjack, Red Dog and Wheel of Fortune.
Typical wheel of fortune games:
Money Wheel, Crown and Anchor,
7 Under/Over, and Colour Wheel.
Not permitted:
Roulette and Sic Bo.
Small casino-type events conducted and managed in conjunction with a
social event (such as a dinner, dance or benefit) and where attendance is
restricted to members of the gaming event licensee and their guests.
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
NOTE:
The Class C Licence, excluded from the table, allows approved community
fairs and exhibitions to operate ticket raffles, bingos, wheels of fortune and
limited casinos.
Licence applications, guidelines and standard procedures (Classes A, B and D)
Once you've decided on the types of games you want to offer and their expected gross
revenue, please proceed to the application form and important supporting documents by clicking
on the appropriate link below.
Licence application, guidelines and standard procedures (Class C)
Forms
Please see the Forms and
Guidelines - Licences page to download forms for all types of licences.
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