Complete a charitable gaming eligibility application

If your not-for-profit organization wants to hold a gaming event in the Yukon:

1. It must submit an eligibility application.
2. We determine if the organization is eligible.

What is a charitable gaming licence eligibility application?

Not all not-for-profits are eligible to hold gaming events.

A not-for-profit must meet specific legal criteria to be eligible to hold a gaming event. Because of this, we require all not-for-profits to complete an eligibility application.

The eligibility application lets us determine if your organization can legally hold a gaming event. If we confirm your organization’s eligible, you can then apply for a gaming licence.

What is a gaming event?

Gaming events include:

• bingo;
• raffle;
• 50/50 draw;
• 3-day casino;
• chase-the-ace style lottery; and
• any other scheme where someone pays or donates for a chance to win a prize.

You can learn more about this on our Find out if I need a gaming event licence page.

When should my organization complete the eligibility application?

You must complete an eligibility application if:

• we've never assessed your organization's eligibility before;
• it has been more than 5 years since we approved your eligibility; or
• there has been a significant change to your organization since we last assessed it.

A significant change means a substantive change to the organization’s constitution, bylaws, purpose, or structure.

You should complete an eligibility application well in advance of applying for a gaming licence.

We will not process a gaming licence application unless we have 1st confirmed your organization’s eligibility to apply.

Steps involved for the eligibility application and gaming licence:

1. You complete an eligibility application.
2. We confirm your organization’s eligibility to apply.
3. You apply for a gaming licence.
4. We process your gaming licence application.

We consider the following when we determine if an organization is eligible to hold a gaming event.

The structure of the organization

To be eligible, your organization must:

• be not-for-profit;
• be incorporated in the Yukon or federally, and in good standing;
• have broad-based, volunteer membership; and
• have actively delivered charitable programming for at least 1 year.

An organization’s purpose, programs and services

Your organization’s purpose, programs and services must match 1 of the following charitable purposes:

• relieve poverty or disease;
• advance education;
• advance religion; or
• advance any cultural, recreational, athletic or other activity or program beneficial to a Yukon community. The benefit must be to a broad segment of the community, not just a few people.

Read the instructions carefully and answer every question. Do not leave a section blank. If any section is not relevant, please mark it “not applicable.”

Complete the application.

Tips

• On the 1st page, identify which of the 4 charitable purposes your organization’s services most closely match. Choose 1 option only.
• Provide as much information as possible on the form. This will minimize the need for follow-up. If necessary, you can use additional pages.

You must also provide the following with your eligibility application.

Financial statements

• Provide these for your organization’s most recently completed fiscal year.
• You must provide a balance sheet and a revenue and expenses statement.
• The statements must clearly show your organization has pre-existing financial support.
• The statements must also show your organization will not rely on gaming funds for program delivery.

Constitution and bylaws

Provide a copy of your organization’s constitution and bylaws.

Certificate of compliance

• Provide this if your organization’s incorporated federally.
• If your organization’s incorporated in the Yukon, we will verify incorporation and compliance ourselves.

You must include:

• your completed eligibility application; and
• all supporting documents.

We will return your application if you have not provided a complete application and all required documentation.

Where to submit your application

• Submit in person or by courier: at 307 Black Street, Whitehorse, Y1A 2N1. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Email: charitablegaming@yukon.ca
• Mail:
  Government of Yukon
  Attn: Lotteries
  Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (C-5)
  Box 2703
  Whitehorse, YT Y1A 2C6

Processing time

We typically process charitable gaming eligibility applications within 20 business days.

We'll confirm your organization has met all legal requirements before confirming your eligibility.

Decision letter and appeals

After we've completed our review, we’ll provide you with a written decision letter. This letter will identify why we approved or denied your eligibility. It will also lay out any conditions, such as what you can use your proceeds for.

You can contact the Yukon Lottery Appeal Board to appeal the decision. Email the board: boards.plra@yukon.ca.

Apply for a charitable gaming licence

If you're approved, you can now apply for a charitable gaming licence.