How to Obtain a Lottery License in Queensland (QLD)

In Queensland, charitable lotteries (including raffles, prize draws, and art unions) are regulated under the Charitable and Non-Profit Gaming Act 1999 and overseen by the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR). Lotteries are classified by categories, and most large-scale fundraising activities fall under Category 3 (gross proceeds over $50,000).

Do You Need a Permit?

Note: If you expect to sell over $50,000 worth of tickets and wish to market and sell directly to Queensland residents, you must apply for a Category 3 Licence.

Application Process for Category 3 Gaming Licence (Art-Unions)

Please note:  After the initial application, annual renewals will be required.  The same process (with supporting documents) is followed, except where noted in the details following.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documentation

Refer to Form 2A for the complete checklist of required materials. Jumbo Compliance team members can assist you with preparing the documents.

To support your application, you’ll need to collate and submit the following:

Organisational Details

• Full legal name of the applying organisation

• Must be a charitable or not-for-profit entity

• First-time applicants must provide a copy of the organisation’s constitution or governing rules

Executive Information

• Full names, positions, and dates of birth for key executive members:

  • Chair or President

  • Company Secretary or Treasurer

  • Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Financial and Planning Documentation

• Most recent audited financial report

• A comprehensive lottery business plan

  • You can refer to the provided business plan template

• A basic projected profit and loss summary including:

  • Gross proceeds (sell-out value)

  • Major prize expense

  • All other related expenses

  • Use the budget planner template provided

Intended Games and Prize Details

• The intended games of the licence period including the following:
  • Art Union Number
  • Commence Date
  • Close Date
  • Draw Date
  • Number of tickets in draw
  • Estimated Gross Proceeds (sell-out)
  • Estimated expenses (not including major prize cost)
  • Estimate cost of major draw prize/s
  • Retail Value of major draw prize/s

• Complete prize details and individual prize values

  • Refer to the prize breakdown template

• Game rules and terms and conditions

  • Note: Full T&Cs are not submitted with the application, but key details must be included on the sample ticket

Ticketing Requirements

• Submit a sample paper ticket

  • Sample ticket must be for a single ticket entry only.

  • Contact Jumbo to generate a compliant sample ticket through the JLP sandbox

Third-party art union management and/or ticket seller engagement:

• • Any formal agreement entered into with a third-party art union administrator or ticket seller must be submitted to QLD OLGR.
  • A draft copy should ideally be submitted to QLD OLGR 28 days prior to commencement of said agreement.
  • Any and all existing agreements (at time of application) should be submitted with a note of intent to supply executed agreements, should the agreements be expiring during the new licence period.

  • An executed agreement must be submitted to OLGR before the lottery begins

Draw Method and procedure:

• Draw method and procedure must be included with a first time application
• Details of instrument of draw.  Your JLP has a QLD OLGR approved built-in RNG, Drawmaster 1.1.  Approval documents located in Knowledgebase.

Fees

• Payment to be processed over the phone with OLGR. 
• Application (or renewal) will not be processed until payment if processed. 

  Type (more than 1 game)	Fee (FY 2025–26)
  Category 3 Licence – Initial	starting at $1,027.00
  Renewal (annual)	starting at $1027.00
  Audit Certificate Fee	Varies (as charged by your auditor)

  View Full Licence Fees (PDF)

• Please note, QLD OLGR updates Licence Fees every fiscal year, please refer to OLGR website for most up-to-date fees.

Step 2: Download and Complete the Application Form

Step 3: Submit Your Application

• By Email:olgrlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au

• Processing Time: Submit your application at least 28 days prior to the planned start of ticket sales, or current licence expiry for a renewal.

Key Rules & Compliance Requirements (Refer Guide to Category 3 Games for more details)

Prize Requirements

• Prizes must be delivered within 1 month of the draw, if the winner cannot be contacted declare them uncontactable and supply information to the auditors.

• Unclaimed prizes must be retained for 1 year (either physically, or cost as an accrued expense).

  • A winner has up to 3 years to claim the prize.  After 1 year, the charity can stop accruing the expense and after 3 years, the charity no longer will have an obligation of delivery.
• Cash prizes cannot exceed $100,000 

Draw Rules

• Major prize must be drawn first unless otherwise stated in the Terms and Conditions and all tickets are eligible for every draw level regardless of win

  • Draw Master will use a single draw file that includes all the eligible tickets making every ticket eligible for every prize level in a major draw.

Financial Compliance

• Gross proceeds must not exceed 5x the total prize value

  • E.g., a $10,000 prize pool = max $50,000 in gross (sell-out) ticket sales

• Gross proceeds over $10,000 require an auditor’s certificate

• Accurate records must be kept and submitted if audited (Record Keeping Guidelines)

Contact Details

Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR)
63 George Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Locked Bag 180, City East QLD 4002
olgrlicensing@justice.qld.gov.au
13 QGOV (13 74 68)
OLGR Website

Note on Interstate Sales

If your lottery is available to people outside Queensland (e.g., online sales), you must also comply with each relevant state’s laws.