Lottery and convenience shop

Local residents, commuters and passing trade who buy tickets and small items. The provincial lottery operator pays your commission on ticket sales.

A commission on lottery sales paid by the lottery operator, plus normal margins on the other products you sell. The commission is small, so footfall and a good mix of products matter.

• Friendly, reliable customer service
• Cash handling and daily record keeping
• Stock ordering and managing suppliers
• Checking ID and following age rules

• Approval to sell lottery products comes from your provincial lottery corporation and is not guaranteed, so check their rules before signing a lease
• Rules differ by province, and Quebec has its own operator and French-language requirements
• Check whether your municipality requires a business licence and what zoning and signage rules apply
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and WCB/WSIB coverage once you hire (rules by province)
• Robbery and theft risk, so consider security cameras and cash handling routines
• Long opening hours and slow winter periods can affect income and your energy

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and stock. Check your provincial lottery corporation's rules before signing a lease.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, opening hours and what you sell alongside tickets. Expect to work around 40 hours a week or more.

Approval comes from your provincial lottery corporation and is not guaranteed, so check their rules first. Also check that rules differ by province (Quebec has its own operator and French-language requirements) and municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules.