Licensing and Registration
Charitable Gaming
Charitable Gaming means lottery schemes which are licensed and operated to provide benefit to charitable or religious organizations.
The proceeds of these activities must benefit a charitable organization, as per Section 207 of the Criminal Code of Canada. The proceeds from such gaming must be used for approved charitable or religious objects and purposes. In general, the use of proceeds is based on eligibility – if the organization is eligible, it may use the proceeds for its charitable purpose.
The licensing authority must also be satisfied that it is only carrying out charitable activities and those charitable activates fall within the organization’s objects. The test of charitableness is both a legal one and a factual one.
Under the Criminal Code of Canada all gaming activity is essentially illegal. However, there are exceptions, such as licensed gaming, regulated by a licensing and regulatory authority.
IGR Licences and regulates charitable lottery schemes on reserves, or at such other locations as agreed to between IGR and SLGA (Pursuant to S. 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada ) , including Bingos, Breakopens, Raffles, Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments, Monte Carlo Events and Licensed Games offered for play at SIGA casinos.
Holding a raffle, bingo or hosting a Texas Hold ‘em poker night on reserve? You’re in the right place. Information about various charitable gaming licence types in Saskatchewan can be found on this page.
You can also find information on Charitable Gaming Grants, SIGA Table Games, Complaints and Reviews (Appeals), and Registered Gaming Suppliers.
“Licence” means a Charitable Gaming Licence as issued by IGR for the conduct and management of a Lottery Scheme and includes:
BINGOS
Class “A” Bingo Licence
A licence issued to an Association to manage and coordinate activities related to Bingo/Charitable Gaming Events on behalf of all of the licensed charities operating at an Association Bingo Hall.
Licensed Charities are Class “B” Licensee’s who are a single charitable or religious organization to conduct and manage Bingo/Charitable Gaming Events in conjunction with a Class “A” Licensee at an Association Bingo Hall.
Class “C” Bingo Licence (Media)
A licence issued to a charity or religious organization to conduct and manage a Bingo Event at a Community Bingo Hall, where the Total Retail Prize Value per event may be greater than $1,000 and/or the number of events exceeds one per week. Media Bingo Licence is issued for those using mass media communications (includes, but not limited to radio, newspaper, magazine and television). To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
BREAKOPEN TICKET TYPES
BREAKOPEN TICKET
Breakopen tickets are commonly referred to as pull-tabs or Nevada tickets. They are a gaming piece used in a game of chance that is completely made of paper or paper products which conceal numbers or symbols that must be exposed by the player by tearing off a covering in order to determine wins or losses. Prizes must be defined as per the game structure, and may be Instant Prizes or Secondary Prizes. Includes both Bingo Event Tickets and Seal Cards. Find information about breakopen tickets and licence Terms and Conditions. To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
BINGO EVENT TICKET
Means a Breakopen Ticket which contains a prize in which the winner is determined by matching a bingo ball symbol or symbols on a Breakopen Ticket with a specified number or numbers drawn during the course of a licensed bingo game. Bingo Event Tickets are considered breakopens and not bingo paper.
SEAL CARD
Means a Breakopen Ticket posted at the licensed location that is used to determine the winner of a Secondary Prize by opening a window to reveal a symbol that matches a ticket held by a player.
BREAKOPEN EVENT
Means a period of time, at a location indicated on the Licence, in which Breakopen Tickets are offered for sale to the public.
RAFFLES
A raffle is a type of charitable gaming in which entrants purchase a random chance to win a prize. There are many types of raffles, including standard draws, calendar draws, 50-50 draws, chase the ace, honey pot, sports drafts and pools, derbies and more. Learn about the types of raffles that can be licensed, and get information about advertising, selling tickets, making your draws, and licence Terms and Conditions. To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
MONTE CARLO EVENTS (Mock Casino)
An event at which games approved by IGR are played, without the use of legal tender (play money and/or chips), for the opportunity to acquire merchandise prizes. The Monte Carlo Charity Event shall consist only of blackjack table games and/or wheel of fortune games, unless otherwise approved by IGR. The licensee must obtain approval to offer additional games and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Poker games will not be allowed. Planning your next Monte Carlo event? Learn everything you need to know here, plus licence Terms and Conditions. To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENTS
Eligible groups and organizations may receive a licence to hold a Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament. A charitable group or organization can hold a combined total of 52 Texas Hold ’em poker tournaments annually. Texas Hold ’em licences are issued in accordance with Section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, to charitable or religious organizations provided the proceeds from the lottery scheme are used for a charitable or religious object or purpose. Thinking of holding a poker tournament? To find rules, a sample betting structure, and Terms and Conditions, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
CASINOS – SIGA TABLE GAMES
Under the provisions of the 2002 Framework Agreement, IGR is responsible for licensing and regulating table games and registering gaming employees.
CHARITABLE GAMING GRANT PROGRAM
All charitable or religious organizations licensed by Indigenous Gaming Regulators (IGR) under section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code to conduct gaming (bingo, breakopen, raffles, Texas Hold’em Poker Tournaments, and Monte Carlo Events) are eligible to receive a grant issued by SLGA. SLGA pays a grant equal to 25% of net proceeds on every charitable gaming licence. Find out more information about financial reporting and the charitable gaming grant, contact IGR Licensing Department or call SLGA (306)787-5563.
REGISTERED GAMING SUPPLIERS
When a charitable organization conducts licensed fundraising events they must utilize the services of a Registered Gaming Suppler. To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain a current list of active Registered Gaming Suppliers.
REGISTRATION OF ON-RESERVE GAMING EMPLOYEES
IGR’s responsibility for the control and regulation of charitable gaming on designated reserves in Saskatchewan includes the registration of on-reserve charitable gaming employees. IGR’s responsibilities include issuing gaming certificates of registration to eligible individuals, and ensuring those individuals satisfy requirements outlined in The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act (the Act), the accompanying Regulations – the Registration Agreement, and IGR registration policies.
Under the authority of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 the Registration Program plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the gaming industry. Through the good character criteria that have been established, IGR must be satisfied that an individual possesses the honesty and integrity required of a gaming employee. When determining good character, IGR will review all aspects of your personal, financial and criminal history while ensuring personal and private information is protected. IGR is required under The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to protect the confidentiality of the information in its possession and control and to use the information only for the purpose for which it was collected.
IGR requires each registrant to know, understand and comply with requirements outlined in the Act, the Regulations and the Registration terms and conditions upon which registration is issued. IGR may amend, vary, repeal, substitute or add any terms and conditions when a certificate of registration is issued, renewed, or at any time during the period of registration. IGR may impose sanctions for contravention of any provision of the Act, the Regulations or the terms and conditions of registration.
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
Use this form to apply for a gaming employee certificate of registration if you are seeking employment at a bingo hall, bingo association, or by a charitable gaming licencee. Renewal Application for Certificate of Registration. On-line versions of the paper forms are available at the SIGA Central Office and the SIGA casinos. Everyone who works as a gaming employee in Saskatchewan must have a valid Certificate of Registration issued from either IGR or SLGA. You must have an offer of employment as a gaming employee before you can apply for a Certificate of Registration.
REVIEWS (APPEALS)
In order to encourage and ensure credibility, accountability, integrity and transparency in First Nations’ charitable gaming, IGR will receive and respond appropriately to complaints from the public or charitable organizations regarding charitable gaming. Complaints regarding IGR licensed charitable lottery schemes on First Nations and table games at SIGA Casinos. This policy-based process will ensure that all complaints are handled in a fair and consistent manner.
An applicant or registrant may appeal certain IGR registration decisions by requesting a review of the decision by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission. Registration decisions that may be appealed include: denial of a registration; regular or immediate suspension, or cancellation of a certificate of registration; the imposition of additional terms and conditions; and the imposition of a monetary penalty.
To learn more, contact IGR Licensing Department to obtain applications and supporting documentation.
Application for On-Reserve Charitable Gaming Employee Certificate Registration
Renewal Application for On-Reserve Charitable Gaming Employee Certificate Registration
BCR Template – Recognizing a Group as a Charity
By-Laws Template (for Charities)
Form 1001 Class A Application
Form 1002 Class B Application
Form 1003 Class C Application
Form 1008 Raffle Application (Revised 2018)
Form 1009 Breakopen Application
Form 1011 Texas Hold’em Application & Tournament Format
Form 1012 Monte Carlo Application
Form 1025 Use of Proceeds Document (Applicable to All Licensed Charities)
General Body Meeting Template (for Charities)