The experts
Gaming & liquor licenses 101
Q & A with the AGLC ( Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission )
By Meghann Tanner
What exactly does the AGLC do ? What is the purpose for the organization being around ? The AGLC regulates liquor & gaming products and activities provided to all Albertans . We are committed to providing choices Albertans can trust .
Why is it important for events to have gaming / liquor licences in place ? What are the consequences of not having one ? All gambling is illegal unless specifically exempted through legislation in the Criminal Code of Canada . Under federal and provincial legislation , the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission ( AGLC ) is authorized to issue gaming licences to eligible charitable and religious organizations to conduct gaming activities if the proceeds derived from these activities are used for charitable or religious purposes . Failure to have a gaming licence for a gambling event could result in criminal charges .
Gaming
What is the criteria for needing a gaming licence ? If it is a small event doing a 50 / 50 that may only make a few hundred dollars , is it still necessary ? The three elements that determine whether a raffle licence is required are money , chance , and prize . Any time you charge someone for an opportunity to win a prize , and you award that prize , regardless of the value ( donated or not ), that is considered a gambling event . If those three things are taking place , it is a lottery scheme under the Criminal Code of Canada , and a gaming licence is required . It does not matter how small the raffle is or to whom the tickets are being sold .
Are there any types of raffles that are exempt ? No
What if your organization is not a licensed nonprofit ... does that mean you cannot hold any type of licence ? The group must qualify as charitable in accordance
Failure to have a gaming licence for a gambling event could result in criminal charges . with AGLC charitable gaming policy in order to be eligible to receive a gaming licence . Groups do not need to be formally incorporated as a non-profit to qualify for a small raffle licence . However , to be eligible the applicant group must have a broad based volunteer membership which represents the community at large ; Alberta resident volunteer members who establish , maintain control of and deliver the group ’ s programs ; and have an executive that is democratically chosen from its volunteer base .
Can an organization that is a licensed non-profit apply for one on your behalf ? An eligible non-profit group cannot operate a gaming event with the intent of giving all of the funds earned to another group that is not eligible for a gaming licence .
Is there a cost with getting a licence ? For a raffle licence with a total ticket value of $ 10,000 or less , the AGLC does not charge a licence fee ; however , Alberta registry agents will charge a non-refundable fee for service . This service fee is not regulated by the AGLC and may vary among registry agents . There is a no-charge option to obtaining a raffle licence online through the AGLC website .
Liquor
What is the criteria for needing a liquor licence ? A liquor licence is required when alcohol consumption is taking place outside of your private residence .
If you are holding an event on private property , are you still required to have one ? The AGLC does not licence private residences . No sale of alcohol is allowed in a private residence .
If you are holding an event at a licensed premise , are you still required to get a licence as the event host ? If the licensed premise is providing the alcohol , then you are not required to obtain any other liquor licence .
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