The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated its charitable lottery licensing framework to allow eligible charitable organisations to offer media bingo through livestream broadcasts.
Effective from 23 June, charities licensed to operate media bingo may now stream broadcasts through a webpage rather than relying solely on local cable television channels.
The regulator said the change was introduced following stakeholder feedback and is intended to provide charities with additional fundraising opportunities while reducing operational barriers.
The update amends Ontario's Lottery Licensing Policy Manual and Media Bingo Licence Terms and Conditions, formally recognising livestream broadcasts as an approved delivery channel for media bingo events.
While the broadcast method has changed, the underlying structure of the product remains largely intact.
Charities must continue to sell paper bingo cards either directly or through local merchants acting on their behalf, with each card carrying a serial number and licence information for tracking purposes.
Winners must still claim prizes by calling a local telephone number during the broadcast, and electronic bingo claim functions remain prohibited.
The move reflects a broader effort by Ontario regulators to modernise charitable gaming without fully digitising the products.
Unlike Ontario's commercial online gambling market, which launched in April 2022 under a separate regulatory framework overseen by iGaming Ontario and the AGCO, charitable lottery products remain subject to distinct licensing requirements designed around community fundraising and local accountability.
Charitable gaming continues to represent an important revenue source for thousands of non-profit organisations across Ontario. Licensed activities include bingo, raffles and break-open ticket sales, with proceeds supporting community groups, sports organisations, healthcare initiatives and other charitable causes.
The introduction of livestreaming also reflects wider shifts in media consumption habits. Traditional television-based bingo broadcasts have become less common in many jurisdictions as audiences increasingly move toward online viewing platforms.
By permitting web-based broadcasts while preserving existing operational safeguards, the AGCO appears to be seeking a balance between accessibility and regulatory oversight.
The AGCO has continued to take an active approach to regulatory enforcement across Ontario's gambling sector. In October 2025, the regulator issued a $105,000 penalty against theScore over alleged failures to identify and respond appropriately to signs of gambling-related harm displayed by a high-spending customer.
Media bingo broadcasts in Ontario can be delivered through television, radio, newspapers and now approved livestream platforms, provided all licence conditions are met
