The wild success of Chase the Ace fundraisers – especially those in Sydney and Inverness – has prompted charities across Nova Scotia to jump on the bandwagon, but it could soon be more difficult to acquire a licence.

“These existing lotteries currently fall under a 50-50 licence. I think what we are going to see happen as a result of the explosion of the popularity of the game, you may see some rules and regulations specific to Chase the Ace,” says organizer Stephen Tobin.

He says some of those rules may include a cap on how high the jackpot can grow.

“It allows non-profits, as we’ve seen now more than once, to raise substantial amounts of money and it would take a very long time for those organizations to raise that amount in another capacity,” says Tobin. “A cap would deter that.”

In Sydney, an estimated $2.2 million is currently up for grabs, and many non-profit organizations are dreaming of having the same success.

“We could put on hundreds of events on a yearly basis to try and raise the funds that we’re getting from Chase the Ace, so it’s certainly going to be a big benefit to the centre and reaching our goal,” says Lisa Riley, co-ordinator of the Horizon Achievement Centre.

That goal is to construct a bigger and better Horizon Achievement Centre, which offers job training for people with intellectual disabilities.

But other non-profits could have a tougher time getting started if the province changes the rules of the game.

John MacDonald, the executive director of the Alcohol and Gaming Division, says the rules are being drawn up on a game-by-game basis with an emphasis on best practices.

“Presently there’s no cap. We’ve had individuals approach us when lotteries have gotten large,” says MacDonald. “They come to us and asked if they could play off the jackpot.”

Now into week 46, organizers have decided to hold the draw every two weeks, allowing time to prepare and give volunteers a break.

The game will resume April 23, with tens of thousands of people chasing the same dream of choosing the coveted Ace of Spades and becoming a millionaire.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore