September 22, 2020 - Reminder that Gaming Event Licensees Must Use Gaming Services Providers and Suppliers Registered and Certified by GPEB

The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) is aware that COVID-19 and BC’s Provincial Health Officer’s public health and safety orders have had an impact on how organizations have been able to hold licensed gaming events to raise funds. During the pandemic, GPEB has seen an increased interest in opportunities to fundraise online.

The Criminal Code of Canada allows charitable or religious organizations to use a computer to run a gaming event if the event is a raffle (including a 50/50 draw). For this reason, the GPEB Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules (PDF) limits online charitable gambling to licences for raffles. To ensure compliance with the Criminal Code, GPEB does not license other forms of online gambling for charitable fundraising, including online bingo.

Licensees holding charitable gaming events utilizing Electronic Raffle Systems (ERS) must ensure the service provider is registered with GPEB and the ERS is certified by GPEB to operate in British Columbia. Certification of equipment and systems involved in charitable gaming ensures that they are fair, honest, secure, safe, auditable, and able to operate correctly for the benefit of charities as outlined in the Technical Gaming Standards (PDF).

A list of providers of Electronic Raffle Systems registered and certified by GPEB can be obtained by contacting Corporate Registration at: Gaming.Registration@gov.bc.ca.

GPEB issues licences in British Columbia for charitable gambling, such as bingo, raffles, and 50/50 draws. For more information on licensed gambling, including licence eligibility and rules, please see the Gambling Event Licence Fundraising page. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Rules prior to applying for a gaming event licence.

If you believe your event meets the eligibility criteria for a charitable gambling event and you would like to apply for a licence, please contact GPEB’s Licensing Unit at:

Phone:
250-387-5311, Option 1
Toll Free within Canada/USA: 1-800-663-7867

Email:  
Gaming.Licensing@gov.bc.ca

For information on certification of gaming supplies and equipment, please contact GPEB’s Certification and Game Integrity Unit at:  GPEBCertification@gov.bc.ca.

For information on registration of gaming services providers, please contact GPEB’s Corporate Registration Unit at:  Gaming.Registration@gov.bc.ca.