Charity Gaming Proceeds Stay Local

Summary#

This bill updates New Brunswick’s rules for charity and religious gaming, such as raffles and charity lotteries. It standardizes how groups apply for licences, allows some licensed charities to keep records outside the province with approval, and makes sure money from tickets sold in New Brunswick supports causes in New Brunswick.

• Requires licence applications to use an official form from the Registrar (the government office that issues licences).
• Clarifies that the Registrar or another authorized body can issue or renew licences for charitable or religious organizations.
• Lets certain charity licensees (a type allowed under federal law) keep their records outside New Brunswick if they make a written request and the Registrar approves, with conditions.
• Requires those licensees to spend the net proceeds from tickets sold in New Brunswick on charitable or religious purposes within New Brunswick, following regulations.
• Defines “net proceeds” as the money left after approved administrative costs and the cost of prizes.
• Takes effect on a date announced by the government (not immediately).

What it means for you#

• Charitable and religious organizations

  • You must use the official application form to apply for or renew a gaming licence.
  • If you hold a certain type of charity gaming licence allowed under federal law, you may ask to keep required records outside New Brunswick. The Registrar can approve this and set conditions.
  • If you sell tickets in New Brunswick under that licence type, the net proceeds from those NB ticket sales must be used for charitable or religious purposes within New Brunswick.
  • Administrative expenses you claim must be approved by the Registrar. Only approved admin costs and prize costs can be deducted before calculating net proceeds.

• Raffle and charity lottery ticket buyers in New Brunswick

  • Money from tickets you buy in New Brunswick under these licences must support causes in New Brunswick (after prize costs and approved admin expenses).

• Out-of-province or multi-province charities

  • You may be allowed to keep records in your home province if the Registrar approves your written request.
  • You must track New Brunswick ticket sales and ensure the net proceeds from those sales are spent on charitable or religious purposes within New Brunswick.

• Government and regulators

  • A standard application form and clear spending rules may improve consistency and oversight.
  • You can set terms when allowing records to be kept outside the province.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Keeps charity lottery money local by requiring net proceeds from NB ticket sales to benefit New Brunswick communities.
• Reduces red tape for some charities by allowing records to be kept outside the province with approval.
• Standardizes applications, which can make the process clearer and faster for applicants and the province.
• Improves accountability by defining net proceeds and requiring approval of administrative expenses.
• Aligns provincial rules with federal provisions for charity gaming, supporting cross-border charity work while protecting local benefits.

Opponents' View#

• Adds compliance steps for charities, such as using a specific form and getting admin costs approved, which could increase workload.
• The rule to keep NB ticket proceeds in NB may complicate fundraising for national or multi-province charities.
• Allowing records to be kept outside the province could make audits or enforcement harder or slower.
• Depending on future regulations, tighter limits on expenses might discourage some charities from running lotteries.
• Uncertain start date (waiting for proclamation) may make planning harder for organizations.