Raffle Licence Saskatchewan: Apply, Fees and Rules 2026

‍

Table of contents

• What is a charitable gaming licence?

• Is your nonprofit eligible for a Sask lottery licence?

• Do you need a raffle licence in Saskatchewan?

• Saskatchewan raffle licence tiers and fees

• How Zeffy fits into a Saskatchewan-compliant raffle

• How to apply for a Sask lottery licence: SLGA portal walkthrough

• Online ticket sales for nonprofits in Saskatchewan

• Saskatchewan raffle licence FAQ

‍

‍

Saskatchewan, like every province in Canada, has its own set of rules for charitable lottery licences — and once you sort out which licence tier you need, the system is actually clearer (and cheaper) than most nonprofits expect. The Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) issues a flat $52.50 licence for most raffles, and Small Raffles with prizes totalling $2,500 or less are free to licence. Online ticket sales are explicitly allowed, as long as your platform meets SLGA's Integrity Standards and your tickets stay inside Saskatchewan.

We've broken down the Sask lottery licence regulations for you and answered the questions we hear most often — including whether you need a licence for a 50/50, what the application actually looks like inside the SLGA portal, and where Zeffy fits in. Quick note up front: SLGA licenses your organization, not your software, so you can use Zeffy's free online raffle platform for nonprofits to sell tickets at zero cost while you stay compliant with SLGA's rules.

‍

What is a charitable gaming licence?

Well, in classic Canadian style, the official definition varies ever so slightly from province to province. In Saskatchewan, ticket lottery permits and licences for nonprofits are regulated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), and the SLGA has detailed definitions for each draw type.

The SLGA offers licences for bingo, breakopen tickets, raffles, Texas Hold 'em Poker and Monte Carlo Events (mock casino). Two of the most common types are summarized below.

‍

Standard (regular) draw / raffle fundraiser rules

A raffle lottery with a two-part ticket: one part the buyer keeps and a second part (the stub) that the organization keeps. All stubs from sold tickets are placed in a draw drum, and the winner(s) are determined by a random selection of stub(s) from the drum.

Additional, good-to-know rules:

• A guaranteed prize structure must be printed on the raffle ticket, and all prizes must be awarded regardless of the final number and value of tickets sold.

• The total value of the prizes needs to be clearly visible on the ticket and any advertisements and communication pieces.

• Your licence number must be visible on both parts (the buyer's portion and the organization's stub) of the ticket.

• Stubs must be returned to the drum after each draw to allow equal opportunity to participate in all subsequent draws.

‍

50/50 draw fundraiser rules

A raffle with a prize that's half (50%) the value of all tickets sold during the event. A ticket stub with a serial number corresponding to a sold ticket is placed in a drum or container for the draw.

Additional good-to-know rules:

• 50/50 draws are allowed as long as all other Raffle Terms and Conditions are met.

• The rules for the draw and the collection of prizes must be included in the application form, on the ticket, and in any advertising and communications.

• If you don't know the prize amount because you don't know how many tickets will be sold (like at a hockey game), you must indicate on the application the maximum total prizes that can be given out. You can cap this by, for example, setting a maximum number of tickets available.

‍

Is your nonprofit eligible for a Sask lottery licence?

In Saskatchewan, you must be a charitable or religious group to be eligible for a Sask lottery licence, and you must use the proceeds for a charitable or religious purpose. Both requirements must be met to be eligible for licensing. For more information, read Section 6 of the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual.

There are four categories of charitable or religious purposes:

• 1. Relief of poverty.

• 2. Advancement of education.

• 3. Advancement of religion.

• 4. Broad community benefits.

‍

Do you need a raffle licence in Saskatchewan?

Yes — in Saskatchewan, all gaming is illegal unless it is licensed or operated by a government. That includes 50/50 draws, meat draws, prize raffles, and online ticket sales for any of the above. All Sask lottery licences are issued by the SLGA, and the SLGA can only licence charitable or religious organizations.

‍

Saskatchewan raffle licence tiers and fees

SLGA splits raffle licences into three tiers based on the total retail value of the prizes you plan to award. The fee structure is straightforward: Small Raffles are free to licence, and most Regular and Large raffles carry a flat $52.50 fee. Always confirm the current fee on SLGA's permit fees page before applying.

‍

‍

Fees and thresholds in this table reflect SLGA's published Charitable Gaming Licence fees and the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual. The $2,501–$50,000 and $50,001+ thresholds reflect the tier boundaries described in the brief; always verify the current thresholds directly with SLGA before applying. SLGA can update fees and tier rules at any time — check the SLGA permit fees page and the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual for the current version before you apply.

‍

Small Raffle Licence (prizes up to $2,500)

If your total prize value is $2,500 or less, you apply for a Small Raffle Licence. It is the simplest tier: there is no licence fee, the application is shorter, and you don't need to submit the full package of price quotes, financial projections and draft advertising that Regular and Large raffles require. You still need to meet eligibility (charitable or religious purpose), keep your licence number on every ticket, and follow all the standard raffle rules — but the paperwork burden is dramatically lighter.

This is the tier most school clubs, sports teams, faith groups and small community nonprofits will use for a one-off draw at an event. If you intend to sell tickets online, you still need to include a written request with your application and follow SLGA's Integrity Standards for Online Raffle Ticket Sales.

‍

Regular and Large Raffle Licences (prizes over $2,500)

Once your total prize value goes above $2,500, you move into Regular Raffle territory ($2,501–$50,000), which carries the $52.50 licence fee and a heavier application. Large Raffles ($50,001+) — typically high-value prize pools — start from the same $52.50 base fee but may be subject to additional SLGA conditions, including extra financial reporting and stricter controls on how proceeds are handled. SLGA reviews these on a case-by-case basis; the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual is the authoritative reference.

‍

How Zeffy fits into a Saskatchewan-compliant raffle

One thing worth being upfront about: Zeffy is not a licensed Electronic Raffle System under SLGA's Integrity Standards. You can use Zeffy to sell tickets online, but the draw needs to happen outside the platform — which is exactly what SLGA's rules describe (a physical drum, a random selection from sold-ticket stubs, a documented draw process).

Here's what Zeffy does, for free, on the ticket-sales half of the workflow:

• Sequentially numbered raffle e-tickets emailed to buyers automatically, separately from the purchase receipt — the way SLGA requires.

• Customizable ticket fields so your organization name, licence number, prize description, draw date and "Tickets may only be sold within Saskatchewan." disclaimer all appear on the ticket.

• A sales dashboard with an exportable participant and ticket-number report you can use for SLGA reporting and to run the offline draw.

• 50/50 support with a live sales-target thermometer on the form, so buyers can see the prize pool climb.

• Tap to Pay on iPhone so you can sell raffle tickets in person with Tap to Pay at the same event — no card terminal required.

• Zero platform and zero transaction fees on every ticket — see exactly how Zeffy's $0 fee model works.

One important boundary: Zeffy cannot enforce Saskatchewan-resident-only ticket sales at the platform level. That condition has to live in your ticket terms, your advertising, and the written notification you send to SLGA with your licence application — exactly as SLGA's Integrity Standards describe.

‍

How to apply for a Sask lottery licence: SLGA portal walkthrough

SLGA handles applications through its online portal. Here's the actual sequence, end to end:

• 1. Read the SLGA's General Information page to confirm your organization is eligible.

• 2. Review the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual — especially Section 6 (eligibility) and Section 10.2.2 (online ticket sales, page 127).

• 3. Create your SLGA online account if this is your organization's first application. You'll be asked for your nonprofit's basic details and a contact person.

• 4. Select the raffle licence type that matches your prize pool: Small Raffle ($2,500, free), Regular Raffle ($2,501–$50,000, $52.50), or Large Raffle ($50,001+, $52.50).

• 5. Fill in the raffle details: prize value and description(s), ticket sales dates and prices, draw date(s) and location, and how the winner(s) will be determined.

• 6. Attach supporting documents. First-time applicants typically need to upload incorporation papers, constitution, bylaws and minutes of the formation meeting. Regular and Large raffles also need projected revenues and expenses, price quotes for all merchandise prizes, complete rules of play, a copy of your draft ticket and a copy of all advertising (including any online promotion).

• 7. Include a written notification if you intend to sell tickets online — this is a mandatory step. Your advertising and communications must include the phrase "Tickets may only be sold within Saskatchewan."

• 8. Submit and wait for approval. Standard processing can take up to 15 business days, so apply well in advance of your sales start date.

‍

Have this information ready before you start

For all raffles:

• 1. Prize value and description(s)

• 2. Ticket sales dates and prices

• 3. Draw date(s) and location

• 4. How the winner(s) will be determined

For raffles with a prize value greater than $2,500:

• 1. Projected revenues and expenses

• 2. Price quotes for all merchandise prizes

• 3. Complete rules of play for the lottery

• 4. A copy of your draft ticket

• 5. A copy of all advertising (including internet)

‍

Online ticket sales for nonprofits in Saskatchewan

Online ticket sales are explicitly allowed in Saskatchewan, as long as you include a written request with your application and follow SLGA's conditions:

• If you want to advertise your nonprofit raffle online, you'll need to include written notification when you apply for your licence.

• All advertising and communications must include: "Tickets may only be sold within Saskatchewan."

• The website, software or system used to sell tickets can accept orders and process payments — but sales must be restricted to ticket purchasers located within Saskatchewan.

• Receipts for online ticket sales may be emailed to customers if their place of residence has been confirmed as Saskatchewan.

• Tickets purchased online must be emailed to customers separately from the purchase receipt.

• Customers may be given the option to receive their tickets by mail instead of email.

• You may also offer alternative purchase options (such as in-person sales) alongside online ticketing.

• All websites, software and systems used to sell tickets must follow SLGA's Integrity Standards for Online Raffle Ticket Sales.

For more, see the Charitable Gaming Policy and Procedure Manual, Section 10.2.2 (page 127).

‍

Lottery licence fees

Saskatchewan's Charitable Gaming Licence fees vary depending on the licence type. Small Raffles are free; most Regular and Large Raffles are $52.50 per licence. Always verify on the SLGA permit fees page before submitting.

‍

We've whipped up an example of a fundraiser ticket with all the info in the right places

Side A:

Side B:

‍

There are detailed conditions in the Raffle Terms and Conditions document on pages 3, 4 and 5.

There are two types of tickets: Basic and Standard.

Basic tickets are only allowed where ticket sales and draws will take place during a single day's event, and can be used when the event happens in one or more venues, as long as all venues are controlled by the event organizer.

Standard tickets apply to any other raffle / lottery / 50/50 situation and must include:

• Your organization's name and address.

• The words "Tickets may only be sold within Saskatchewan."

• Your licence number.

• The price per ticket or group of tickets.

• A description of the prize.

• The exact location, date and time of the draw.

• Instructions on how to claim prizes (for example, website or phone number).

• Any house rules or restrictions respecting the conduct and management of the ticket lottery.

‍

‍

How long does it take to process a charitable gaming licence?

If all goes well, it can take up to 15 business days to process your nonprofit's application — so apply in advance.

‍

‍

Saskatchewan raffle licence FAQ

‍

‍

‍

‍