Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q1: I received an error message after entering my payment information. Did my order go through?

If your internet connection is disrupted during payment, it might cause an error message. First, check your email for a confirmation message. If you received a confirmation email, your order is successfully entered. If you don’t see a confirmation email, please contact us at info@thunderbaycatchtheace.ca

Q2: What is a Catch the Ace raffle?

Catch the Ace is a progressive jackpot raffle where participants have the chance to win both a Weekly Prize and the Catch the Ace Jackpot. The game continues weekly until the Ace of Spades is revealed.

Q3: How does the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle work?

Thunder Bay Catch the Ace is an exciting online raffle where tickets start at just $5 for 2 chances to win! Each ticket gives you an opportunity to win a Weekly Prize and the progressive Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Jackpot. Fifty percent of all ticket sales support the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Our Hearts at Home Campaign to bring Cardiovascular Surgery to Northwestern Ontario.

When purchasing a ticket, you'll select an envelope that might contain the Ace of Spades. If your ticket is drawn, you’ll win 20% of that week’s ticket sales. If the Ace of Spades is in your selected envelope, you'll also win the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Progressive Jackpot! If not, the jackpot grows, and the game continues until the Ace of Spades is caught.

Q4: How are the Weekly Prize and Progressive Jackpot determined and won?

The Weekly Prize is 20% of the ticket sales for that week. The Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Progressive Jackpot is 30% of all ticket sales over the duration of the game.

For example, if there were $25,000 in ticket sales per week over 10 weeks, the total would be $250,000. The Weekly Prize in the 10th week would be $5,000, and the Progressive Jackpot would be $75,000—awarded to the player who selects the envelope with the Ace of Spades.

Q5: When are the deadlines for the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace ticket sales?

Weekly ticket sales close at 12:00PM every Tuesday. If the Ace of Spades is not revealed in the draw at 12:30PM on Tuesday, sales for the next week will open.

Q6: Is the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle fully digital?

All aspects of the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle are managed using a digital platform, or software program, that has been approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Tickets are also available at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s managed locations.

Q7: What are the odds of winning the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle?

The odds of winning a Weekly Prize depend on the number of tickets sold that week. The odds of selecting the envelope containing the Ace of Spades begin at 1 in 52 and improve each week as envelopes are removed from the game.

Q8: What percentage of proceeds support the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation?

Fifty percent of all ticket sales support the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s Our Hearts at Home Campaign to bring Cardiovascular Surgery to Northwestern Ontario.

Q9: What is the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle Lottery Licence Number?

The Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Raffle is licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Lottery License: RAF1445373

Tickets & Digital Envelopes

Q1: How can I purchase Thunder Bay Catch the Ace tickets?

Tickets are available for purchase online or at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s managed locations. Visit www.thunderbaycatchtheace.ca to buy your tickets now! They will be delivered via email after purchase.

Q2: How much do Thunder Bay Catch the Ace tickets cost?

Thunder Bay Catch the Ace offers the following ticket bundles:

  • 2 tickets for $5

  • 5 tickets for $10

  • 25 tickets for $20

  • 100 tickets for $50

Q3: Can I buy tickets for more than one weekly draw?

At this time, tickets can only be purchased for the current week’s draw. Ticket subscriptions or multi-week purchases are permitted, you will be prompted to "subscribe" at the point of purchase.

Q4: How old do I need to be to buy a Thunder Bay Catch the Ace ticket?

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase a ticket. Tickets cannot be purchased on behalf of a minor.

Q5: Why is there a limit on ticket bundles I can purchase?

While there is no limit to the total number of tickets you can buy, you are limited to purchasing up to 15 bundles (five of each bundle) in a single transaction. To purchase more bundles, you will need to place a new order.

Q6: Can I purchase tickets if I live outside Ontario?

Tickets can only be purchased by individuals located in Ontario at the time of purchase.

Q7: Why must I select a digital envelope?

Every ticket order requires you to select a digital envelope containing a hidden playing card. The Ace of Spades must be found to win the Progressive Jackpot.

Q8: Can I select an envelope for each ticket or just one per order?

You can select one envelope per order, regardless of the number of tickets purchased. If you want to select multiple envelopes, you’ll need to place separate orders.

Q9: Why can't I order my ticket?

You must be physically located within Ontario to purchase a ticket. Ensure your location services are enabled so your location can be verified.

Draws, Prizes & Winners

Q1: How is the winning ticket determined?

Each week, a single ticket is drawn using a random number generator. The winning ticket is selected from all tickets purchased during that week’s sales.

Q2: Is there a guaranteed winner every week?

Yes, a Weekly Prize winner is selected every week. The Weekly Prize is 20% of that week’s ticket sales.

Q3: Is there a guaranteed Progressive Jackpot?

Yes, the Progressive Jackpot starts with a minimum guaranteed amount of $25,000. Once ticket sales exceed $83,333.33, the Jackpot will increase to 30% of total sales.

Q4: What if I chose the same envelope as the Weekly Prize winner and it contains the Ace of Spades?

Only the Weekly Prize-winning ticket holder is eligible for the Progressive Jackpot, even if others selected the same envelope.

Q5: How will winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by phone and/or email. Winning numbers and prize amounts will also be posted on the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace website after each draw.

Q6: How do I claim my prize?

Winners will be contacted with instructions on how to claim their prize. Prizes must be claimed within six (6) months of the draw.

Q7: Will my name be publicized if I win?

In compliance with AGCO regulations, we must collect and report winner information, including your name, ticket number, and contact details. By claiming a prize, you consent to your information being used for publicity purposes.

Website & Orders

Q1: I can’t access the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace website. What should I do?

Ensure that your device’s location services are enabled, as you must be located within Ontario to access the ticket purchase platform. Agree to all Terms and Conditions outlined.

Q2: Why does the website ask for my location?

Per AGCO regulations, we need to confirm that you are physically located in Ontario before allowing you to purchase a ticket.

Q3: What if I accidentally selected "Don't Allow" for location services?

Reload the page to be prompted again, or adjust your device’s settings to enable location services.

Q4: What if I encounter location-related errors when trying to purchase tickets?

If you receive prompts indicating your location cannot be determined, check your browser settings and make sure location services are enabled. Follow the instructions under Location Troubleshooting if needed.

Additional Considerations

12. Immediate family members of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation Staff (and members of the Board of Directors) are prohibited from purchasing tickets in the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace draw. This rule is enforced regardless of if you live in the same household, or not.

13. Individuals associated with Grant Thornton LLP in Ontario, Canada, including employees and contractors (and any immediate family members or residents within the same household), are ineligible to purchase tickets or participate in any capacity within the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Lottery, and are not eligible to win prizes in any of the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace draw(s). This measure ensures the integrity and credibility of the draw process by preventing any conflict of interest. Violation of this rule will lead to disqualification, and purchased tickets will be considered void.

14. On occasion, the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace Lottery will utilize volunteers to assist with the processing of ticket sales at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation managed locations. These volunteers are eligible to play, win prize(s) and otherwise participate in Thunder Bay Catch the Ace, providing that their tickets are not purchased during their scheduled “shift” at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation managed location(s).

15. Any and all current staff members of BUMP, a Division of CBN, including employees and contractors, are ineligible to purchase tickets or participate in any capacity within the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace, and are not eligible to win prizes in any of the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace draw(s).

16. The following individuals are not eligible to participate in the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace draw(s): Members of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre's Senior Leadership council, including individuals holding positions such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief of Staff, Vice-Presidents and any other designated senior executive roles within the organization (and any immediate family members or residents within the same household) are ineligible to purchase tickets, participate, or be eligible for prizes in any capacity within the Thunder Bay Catch the Ace draw(s). This exclusion aims to maintain the impartiality and fairness of the draw process by preventing any potential conflicts of interest. Violation of this prohibition will result in immediate disqualification, and any purchased tickets will be deemed void.