Corner shop with a lottery counter

Local residents, commuters and passers-by who buy tickets, plus the lottery corporation, which pays you a commission on ticket sales.

A commission from the lottery corporation on tickets sold, plus regular shop sales from customers who come in for tickets and buy something else. The commission alone is small, so the shop's overall sales matter most.

• Friendly, reliable customer service
• Careful cash handling and basic bookkeeping
• Stock ordering and managing a small team or shifts

• Retailer approval is set by your provincial lottery corporation (for example OLG, BCLC, Loto-Québec or AGLC), so check their application process, fees and any background checks
• Check whether your premises and shop type meet the lottery corporation's location rules before signing a lease
• Age checks and responsible gambling training are normally expected, so confirm what applies in your province
• Check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, plus any extra permits if you sell tobacco, vaping products or food
• Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire (rules vary by province)
• Handling lots of cash raises theft risk, so plan for secure storage and safe opening and closing routines
• In Quebec, check French-language requirements for signage and customer service
• Long opening hours are often needed, so be realistic about the time commitment

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, opening stock, fit-out and your lease terms. These are estimates, so price your own location and product range before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, product range and opening hours. The estimate assumes about 45 hours a week or more, and it is revenue before costs.

Things to check: your provincial lottery corporation's application process, fees, background checks and location rules, plus age checks and responsible gambling training. Also check municipal licences, extra permits for tobacco, vaping or food, and French-language rules in Quebec.