S-241An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Indian Act
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on November 20, 2025
- Status
- In committee in the Senate since March 12, 2026
- Sponsor
- Scott TannasSenator
- Senator
What it does
Gives First Nations governing bodies control over many lottery schemes on reserves and lets band councils make related bylaws.
What it does
- Creates authority for a First Nation governing body to run and licence lottery schemes from or on its reserve, after it gives written notice to Canada and the province.
- Lets First Nation licences include terms and conditions for how a lottery scheme is run, managed and operated.
- Allows charitable and religious groups, fair boards, concession operators and other people to run certain lottery schemes on a reserve under First Nation licences.
- Adds a bylaw power in the Indian Act so band councils can regulate lottery schemes allowed under section 207 of the Criminal Code.
- Allows computers to be used for ticket sales, winner selection and prize distribution in authorised charitable or religious raffles, including 50/50 draws.
- Lets provinces and First Nations agree to sell lottery tickets across provincial and reserve borders for lottery schemes that are already authorised.
Who it affects
- First Nations governing bodies
- Band councils
- Charitable organisations
- Religious organisations
- Fair and exhibition boards
- Concession operators
- Lottery licence holders
- Provincial governments
Background
Section 207 of the Criminal Code already sets out which lottery schemes are lawful. This bill adds First Nation reserve authority to that section and adds a related bylaw power to the Indian Act.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Current stage. Now here
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
House of Commons
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a senator. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the House of Commons, where an MP must agree to sponsor it. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.