Gambling event licence fundraising
Last updated on January 15, 2026
Gambling event licences allow eligible organizations to fundraise by holding a single gambling event or a series of events. Gambling events include raffles, bingos, poker, social occasion casinos, and wheels of fortune. Find out about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
On this page
- About licensed charitable gambling
- Upcoming changes
- Types of licences
- How to apply
- Contact information
About licensed charitable gambling
A community group or organization may be eligible to receive a licence to hold a gambling event that earns revenue to benefit charitable or religious programs and services within B.C.
A licence must be applied for in advance of the proposed gambling event. Licensees are responsible for following the Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules (PDF) related to the gambling event and for using the proceeds to support the eligible programs as approved on the licence.
For all information related to eligibility, application submission, classes of licenses, event types and the management and conduct of an event refer to the Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules (PDF).
Upcoming changes
On April 13, 2026, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB) will transition to the Independent Gambling Control Office (IGCO) when the new Gaming Control Act (Act) (2022) and Gaming Control Regulations come into force. The new Gaming Control Act and regulations will replace the current Act, regulations, directives, and general manager public interest standards. With this transition, there will be some changes for the charitable gaming sector.
What’s changing?
Charitable gaming event licences will be issued in three classes – Class A, Class B, and Class C – based on organization type and the planned use of proceeds. Application fees will be based on the projected revenue of the gaming event to better reflect the regulatory costs associated with charitable gaming. These changes are intended to make charitable gaming licensing clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate.
While many existing rules will remain, some eligibility criteria and licensing requirements will be updated under the new Act, regulations, and licence terms and conditions. The current Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules will be replaced with new plain-language Licensed Charitable Gaming Event Guidelines, as well as new Licensed Charitable Gaming Event Terms & Conditions developed under the new framework. Additionally, the online application system will be updated to reflect these changes.
When will the changes take effect?
The changes to licence classes and application fees, along with the new Act and regulations, will take effect when GPEB transitions to the IGCO on April 13, 2026. New application fees and requirements will apply to all applications submitted on or after that date.
New fee structure
| Licence | Licence Application Fee* |
|---|---|
| Class A | $75 to $500 |
| Class B | $25 or $75 |
| Class C | $150 to $500 |
*Based on projected event revenue
What this means for current applicants and licence holders
Applications submitted before April 13, 2026, but not yet decided, will be assessed under the new framework and subject to the new requirements, though the former application fee will be used. Licences issued before April 13, 2026, will continue to be governed by the former Act, regulations, and licence terms and conditions until they expire.
Next steps
More information will be available in the coming weeks, including the new Licensed Charitable Gaming Event Guidelines, new terms and conditions, details about the updated online application system, and an information session to support licensees through the transition.
Stay tuned for updates, which will be posted on the website as they become available. If you have questions about these changes, please contact Gaming.Branch@gov.bc.ca
Types of licences
A licensee must have a separate licence for each type of gambling event it conducts (50/50, Regular Raffle, Bingo, etc.). Before applying for a gaming event licence, an applicant must review the event procedures within the Licensed Charitable Gaming Rules (PDF) to become familiar with the rules that must be followed.
A licence may be issued for a period of up to 12 months for a series of similar gaming events.
Expand each class below to see more information, including event types, restrictions, processing fees, and processing times.
Class A: Gambling events that project more than $20,000 in gross revenue
Eligible gambling events:
- Ticket Raffle
- Independent Bingo
- Wheel of Fortune
- Social Occasion Casino
Restrictions:
- No limit in gross revenue in a calendar year
- No limit in gross revenue per licence
- No limit on individual prize values
- No limit on price per ticket
Processing fee:
- $50
Processing time:
- Complete applications require up to 10 weeks processing time
*An eligibility review is required for all first-time applicants on Class A and B applications who wish to raise funds for their own purposes. Organizations may be required to be reassessed every five years or sooner at the discretion of GPEB.
Class B: Gambling events that project $20,000 or less in gross revenue
Eligible gambling events:
- Ticket Raffle
- Independent Bingo
- Wheel of Fortune
- Social Occasion Casino
- Poker
Restrictions:
- No limit in gross revenue in a calendar year
- An allowed maximum of up to $20,000 in gross revenue per licence
- No limit on individual prize values
- No limit on price per ticket
Processing fee:
- $25
Processing time:
- Complete applications require up to 10 business days processing time
*An eligibility review is required for all first-time applicants on Class A and B applications who wish to raise funds for their own purposes. Organizations may be required to be reassessed every five years or sooner at the discretion of GPEB.
Class C: Gambling events held as part of Registered Provincial Fairs and Exhibitions only
Eligible gambling events:
- Ticket Raffle
- Independent Bingo
- Wheel of Fortune
- Limited Casino
Restrictions:
- No limit in gross revenue in a calendar year
- No limit in gross revenue per licence
- No limit on individual prize values
- No limit on price per ticket
Processing fee:
- $150
Processing time:
- Complete applications require up to 10 weeks processing time
Class D: Gambling events that project $5,000 or less in gross revenue
Eligible gambling events:
- Ticket Raffle
- Independent Bingo
Restrictions:
- A maximum gross revenue of up to $20,000 in a calendar year
- A maximum gross revenue of up to $5,000 per licence
- Individual prize values must not exceed $500 (at fair market value)
- Purchased raffle prizes cannot exceed 50% of the projected gross revenue
- A maximum $2 charge per individual ticket
Processing fee:
- $10
Processing time:
- Complete applications require up to 10 business days processing time
*An eligibility review is not required for a Class D licence.
How to apply
Before you apply, make sure you check the processing times for your licence type. If we request additional information, the application is considered incomplete until all information is received. This may impact processing time.
Service BC
A Service BC office may also assist with the application process in person.
Guides, documents and forms related to licensed charitable gambling events are available on the Documents and forms page.
Contact information
To check the status of an application, visit Application status reports. If you're calling toll-free, ask for a transfer to the Victoria office listed below.
250-387-5311
1-800-663-7867
250-356-8149