AGCO Looking into Expanding 50/50 Electronic Raffle Sales

A few days ago, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario reported that it will be moving ahead with a proposal to support the expansion of 50/50 electronic raffle ticket sales. Once implemented, the expansion would allow hospital foundation 50/50 e-raffle tickets to be sold in Ontario convenience stores by retail staff, via an electronic device.

It is believed that the expanded framework will allow expanded fundraising opportunities for charities in the province, including hospital foundations looking to generate funds for healthcare. Additionally, the framework will establish new retail opportunities for convenience stores. Its decision comes on the back of an engagement on the proposed changes from May 2023.

Requirements for Applications are Not Official Yet

In its latest press, AGCO said that over three weeks, it received 18 submissions, including ones from six hospital foundations, seven convenience stores, one supplier, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association, and the Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario. It has also provided the next steps and regulatory requirements for applications.

The gambling regulator will provide final regulatory requirements such as licensing requirements, technical requirements, and specific terms and conditions in September 2023. In its press, AGCO said that this will allow it to prepare internally to support the new framework, including a review of the current e-raffle regulatory requirements and licensing and registration procedures.

Some expected changes regarding the framework are still not official, but they include allowing hospital foundations to obtain a 50/50 raffle license and to conduct and manage the e-raffle within convenience stores. Also, convenience stores will be registered with the gaming watchdog as sellers and hospital foundations will give a list of seller locations and confirm each retail store as a convenience store.

AGCO will also require the sale of tickets for each hospital foundation to occur at convenience stores through an e-raffle Point of Sale system and that ticket printer will be separate from the store’s POS. Also, all requirements for responsible gambling and player protection must be met. Some of the mentioned requirements could be changed, as the final version of the framework will arrive in September 2023.

Changes are Coming to Gambling Ads

AGCO who is also responsible for overseeing the province’s legal market for iGaming has also come up with a proposal to ban the use of sports stars in sports betting advertisements. Its suggestion arrived after the province was criticized for the downpour of gaming ads during sports games by experts and parents. They are worried about the possible effect on youth and children who watch games.

In June, the gambling regulator reported that its changes to advertising rules are coming soon but they are yet to arrive. This could be due to the changes in its leadership department, as recently, the commission announced the departure of its Chair of the Board of Directors, Lalit Aggarwal. Now, the Board’s Vice-Chair, Heide Reinhart, will take over his responsibility as an interim Chair.

Source: “Anticipated Expansion of 50/50 Electronic Raffle Sales to Convenience Stores for Hospital Foundation Charities” AGCO, July 28, 2023