Back

Canadian Lotteries

Isn’t it everyone’s dream to win the lottery, retire, and live happily - and richly - ever after? Lotteries are woven into Canadian culture, a nationwide “what if” game that’s entertaining, funds good causes, and offers the possibility of winning life-changing jackpots. From 50/50 draws at hockey games to the coast-to-coast anticipation that builds when Lotto Max jackpots soar to $80 million - Canadians truly enjoy a pastime of 'dreaming to the max'.

Overview of Canadian Lotteries

The concept of lotteries dates back centuries. By definition, lotteries are systems designed to distribute prizes - typically cash or valuable rewards - through pure chance or a blend of luck and skill.

In Canada, the lottery landscape was transformed in 1969 when the government amended the Criminal Code to allow provincial powers to operate lotteries. This marked a significant expansion of legal gambling, building upon the limited gambling that was already available, mainly horse racing and charitable games when permitted.

Today, lotteries are commonplace and serve as a lucrative revenue stream for the government. And the options for Canucks to try their luck are as vast as Canada itself. From nationwide games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 to local hospital charitable draws, Canadians have many opportunities to turn small stakes into life-changing windfalls.

Purpose and Scope of the Guide

Whether you're a seasoned player or just lotto-curious, this guide has you covered. We’ll explore the history of Canadian lotteries, examine their odds, share inspiring lotto-winning stories, and explore the allure that keeps millions in the hunt for a jackpot, one ticket at a time. By the end, you might have all the tools you need to become Canada’s next big winner - or at least have a ‘lotto’ fun trying.

Why are Canadian Lotteries Popular?

Canadian lotteries have become a national pastime, and it's not hard to see why. They’re the stuff dreams are made of.

The main trio of national lotteries are easy to play, calling for players to pick their favourite set of numbers. They're also widely accessible - you can grab a ticket on your morning commute, click online, subscribe to numbers for an entire year, or grab a scratch & win while filling up on gas.

At heart, Canadians are also “gambling philanthropists”, appreciating that a good chunk of lottery profits go back into their local communities, funding everything from hospital MRIs to hockey arenas. But beyond any heartwarming reasoning to play the lotto, it’s the mega jackpots that really get Canadians dreaming.

As of September 2024, Lotto Max is allowed to reach $80 million, plus make many more overnight millionaires via its overspill into MaxMillions. When giant jackpots come into play, hype, media attention, and ticket sales skyrocket. With convenience, ‘what if’ dreaming, and community support, it’s no wonder why Canadian lotteries are as popular and mainstream as the double-double.

History of Canadian Lotteries

The Origins of Lotteries in Canada

Lotteries in Canada have a long history that dates back to colonial times. During the 18th and 19th centuries, lotteries were commonly used to fund civic and public projects. Up until 1892, that is, when the Criminal Code of Canada was amended to prohibit most forms of gambling, including lotteries, citing social impact as a root of its evil.

Despite the ban, charitable raffles and games at agricultural fairs were allowed under special circumstances. It was a grey, and somewhat complex legal area that continued for many years as governments tried to manage and navigate private and public gambling.

By the mid-20th century, the landscape began to shift. Under budgetary pressure, provinces started to explore lotteries as a source of revenue, recognizing their serious income potential. This eventually led to a significant amendment to the Criminal Code in 1969, which allowed provinces to operate lotteries and manage gambling. This pivotal change paved the way for the development of provincial lottery organizations and national games like Lotto 6/49.

Today, Canadian lotteries are well-regulated and help fund everything from healthcare to education and community programs. And it is indeed big money. For example, since 1976, the Atlantic Lottery has put $11.7 billion back into East Coast communities - and it’s all thanks to Canadians who dream big.

Evolution and Growth of the Lottery Industry

From backroom bingo to billion-dollar jackpots, Canada's lottery scene has come a long way. The watershed moment? 1969. The 1969 Criminal Code amendment marked a turning point for Canadian lotteries, leading to each province, or in some cases a collection of provinces, to establish their own lottery corporations:

Loto-Québec (1969): The first provincial lottery corporation in Canada.
Ontario Lottery Corporation (now Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, OLG) (1975)
Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) (1974) serves Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Note, that some within this bank of provinces still maintain additional provincial entities like Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries.
Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) (1976) serves New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) (1985)

The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC), established in 1976, oversees these regional bodies and coordinates nationwide games like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max.

By the early 2000s, Canadian lotteries started to go digital. BCLC pioneered online lottery sales, launching PlayNow.com in 2004 and other provinces soon followed suit. The digital age brought on entirely new lottery multi-jurisdictions globally too, creating monster jackpots like EuroMillions and Powerball, which have soared in recent years to €240 Million and $2.04 Billion, respectively. These mega prizes generate serious media attention and fuel the ‘what if’ dreams of players worldwide - but they also present new regulatory cross-border challenges.

Today's lottery industry balances revenue generation with responsible gambling, continually evolving to meet players' demands - which seem to be bigger, grander, cash and prize packages.

Major Milestones in Canadian Lottery History

1969 - An amendment to the Criminal Code allowed provinces to operate lotteries.
1973 - Canada launches its first nationwide lottery, the Olympic Lottery, to help fund the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
1976 - Noting the success of the Olympic Lottery, Loto-Canada is established, to operate national lotteries that can assist Quebec in paying off Olympic debt.
1979 - The federal government exists the lottery business and gives provinces exclusive control over their own lotteries.
1982 - Canada’s first nationwide lottery, Lotto 6/49, is introduced with a weekly jackpot that starts at $500,000.
2004 - BC is the first province to launch an online platform for lotteries, PlayNow.com.
2009 - Lotto Max is introduced, a new national lottery with bigger jackpot potential.
2010 - Loto-Québec introduces online lottery sales.
2015 - Ontario launches its own online platform for lottery ticket sales, OLG.ca.
2017 - Atlantic Canada joins the online crowd, launching ALC.ca.
2020 - ‘COVID years’ drive growth of gambling online, accelerating the shift towards digital gaming.

Now - Provinces continue to innovate with hybrid lottery models, integrating both retail and digital ticket sales, and enhancing user experience through mobile apps and online sites.

Types of Lotteries in Canada

National Lotteries

Lotto 6/49

Lotto 6/49, Canada's first nationwide lottery, debuted in 1982 with a twist: for the first time, players picked their own lottery numbers. The Saturday night weekly draws, aired during national news at 6:49 PM ET, used a ball and drum lottery machine and were must-see TV at the time.

These days, Lotto 6/49 costs $3 per play (up from an original $1) and draws on Wednesday and Saturday, using a random number generator. The classic "pick six from 49" format remains but with another new twist. Since late 2022, each ticket includes a shot at the Gold Ball Draw - a separate game guaranteeing at least a million, with the potential to hit a growing jackpot starting at $10 million.

Lotto Max

Since 2009, Canada has been playing for grander jackpots, thanks to Lotto Max. Similar to Lotto 6/49, players pick their numbers; this time, it’s seven from 1 to 50. But here's where it gets wild: jackpots start at $10 million and can reach $80 million. One $5 ticket includes three sets of numbers on the next closest draw, Tuesday or Friday.

But like many Canadian lotteries, there’s a twist. When the jackpot reaches $50 million, any overspill becomes additional $1 million prizes - aptly named “Maxmillions”. A draw back in June 2021 featured both a $50 million jackpot plus 70 x $1 MaxMillions. Now that’s “dreaming to the max” as their ad slogan says.

The Daily Grand

Daily Grand entered the national lotto scene in 2016 and offers a unique "for life" prize structure. Players select five numbers from 1 to 49, plus one Grand Number from 1 to 7. The top prize gives winners the option of $1,000 a day for life or a $7 million lump sum. Draws are held twice weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays.

Provincial Lotteries

Ontario (OLG) - Only Ontarians can play exclusive games like Lottario and Ontario 49, Daily Keno, and Pick games. There are also a few innovative lotteries in the mix, like Hit or Miss, where matching all or no numbers wins, and Poker Lotto, which blends poker hands with lotto jackpot fun for a nightly $100K draw. Gamblers can also play and tune into The Bigger Spin where winners spin for prizes on live TV or try their luck scratching a new hit game, Gold Pursuit.

Quebec (Loto-Québec) - Beyond Québec 49 and Québec Max, the French folks offer unique games that resonate with Quebec’s rich culture, like La Mini, Banco, and a TV game show lottery, La Poule aux œufs d'or. The latter features a regular Sunday hosted game show-esque production and a grand prize of at least $100,000. Fun fact: Loto-Québec was also the first to introduce scratch and win tickets in Canada.

British Columbia (BCLC) - BC players can battle each other out for BC49, Keno, and their own poker-infused lotto game, Pacific Hold'Em Poker. For instant wins, the Set for Life scratch ticket is by far the most popular, offering a winning “salary” of $1,000 a week for 25 years.

Regional and Local Lotteries

Throughout the prairies, Alberta, and the northern territories, players have the opportunity to try their luck on regional lotteries such as Western 649 and Western Max. Over on the East Coast, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC) offers the Atlantic 49 and Salsa Bingo. They also feature Bucko, a draw game where the lowest unique number wins. East Coasters are also known for loving Breakopen tickets, an instant lottery game similar to pull tabs, where players "break open" the ticket to hopefully reveal instant wins, without all that scratch and win mess.

Charitable Lotteries

Charitable lotteries in Canada play a significant role in fundraising for non-profit organizations. These lotteries often offer flashy prizes, jackpots, and even better odds.

Some of the flashiest come from healthcare lotteries. Yes, even though Canada is famous for its free healthcare, hospitals still need a financial boost now and then. Enter lotteries like Ontario’s Princess Margaret Home Lottery and the BC Children's Hospital Lottery. These aren't your grandma's church raffle! Serious prizes like cottages, homes, fancy cars, and multi-million dollar cash prizes are at stake. Tickets run $100 to $900, but the odds are much lower than national lotteries.

Almost every major sporting event and league in Canada hosts a 50/50 draw, a lottery where the pot is split equally between the charity and the winner. Their popularity is best expressed with this tidbit: The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation set a world record in 2020 with an incredible 50/50 jackpot of $14.3 million at an Oilers NHL game.

Another popular money raiser, especially out east, is Chase the Ace. Here's how it works: Players buy tickets, with proceeds split three ways - 50% to organizers, 20% to the weekly draw winner, and 30% to the jackpot. A weekly winner gets a chance to draw the ace of spades from a deck of cards. If they do it, they win the jackpot, and the game ends. If they don’t, the chase continues for another week, with anticipation building as the odds of grabbing the ace improve and the jackpot builds.

In 2017, the small township of Goulds, Newfoundland, hosted Canada's largest Chase the Ace event, which had a $2.6 million jackpot, attracted over 100,000 people for the final draw, and raised close to $5.8 million for the local parish before Dona Schwartz, a 56-year-old grandmother, drew the winning ace and claimed the pot.

Online Lotteries

The convenience of online sales in Canada has not only made lottery games more accessible, it’s a trend that’s boosted jackpot sizes massively. Beyond buying Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max tickets online, 50/50 raffles at NHL games are available for fans at home to play. Example? There is none better than the world-record breaking (yes, it beat the Super Bowl 50/50) draw during the 2020 NHL playoffs that reached $14.1 million and benefited The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation.

How to Play Canadian Lotteries

Buying Tickets

Physical Retail Outlets

Buying lottery tickets in Canada is pretty straightforward. If you find physical tickets lucky, you can grab an HB pencil at any local lotto retailer and select your picks. Most convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets are authorized lottery retailers. Once you've made your selection for the lottery of your choice, picked your numbers, and selected one play or multi-plays, the retailer will print your ticket(s).

Player Tip: Don’t delay signing the back of your ticket and perhaps add a phone number in case of loss. Since physical tickets are your only record, keep it in a safe place until the draw. Remember that unclaimed $64 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot in 2006? Likely just a case of a lost ticket! Ouch.

Online Purchases

Online lottery purchases are the way to go if you love convenience, security, and ensuring you never miss a draw. You can even subscribe to a year’s worth of lottery tickets online. All you need to get started is an account in your home province. Say you’re in Vancouver, a PlayNow.com account will let you buy Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, BC 49, etc, all digitally.

If you win with a digital ticket, wins are simply added to your account balance - with bigger wins pending verification of course. Many a tale has been told about players logging in and finding a hefty balance of $1 million or more from a win. Surprise, surprise!

Since the odds are the same either way, no matter where you purchase a ticket, choose what works for you - or better yet, where you feel the most lucky.

Understanding Lottery Draws

Draw Schedules

Canadian lottery draws follow a regular schedule. Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 both have draws twice weekly. Lotto Max rolls out on Tuesdays and Fridays, while Lotto 6/49 draws Wednesdays and Saturdays. Daily Grand, true to its name, offers draws every day of the week.

How the Draw Works

For games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, the ball and drum classic machines have long been retired, and draws now use a random number generator. Except for the Gold Ball draw associated with Lotto 6/49. It’s represented by 29 white balls and one gold ball. Numbers are uploaded to each lottery's official websites and apps so keen players can check on wins!

Checking Results

Official Websites and Mobile Apps

Can you imagine anything better than standing in a long line-up and receiving an alert you’ve won the lotto? Yes, there’s an app for that.

Every provincial lottery corporation offers a website or better yet, a mobile app where you can check your numbers quickly and securely - typically within minutes of each draw. On mobile, these apps let you scan your ticket for instant results, and offer features like push notifications for draw results and personalized alerts if your numbers come up.

Retailer Validation

Sticking with tradition, lottery retail dealers are always happy to check your ticket. Most ticket counters have a lottery ticket scanner so you can take care of business yourself. To use one, simply pass the barcode on your ticket under the camera or sensor, and it will instantly tell you if you’re a winner and what the prize is. Smaller prizes, like Free Play or $20, can be paid out on the spot.

Remember to always sign your ticket before handing it over, whether it’s a winner or not. If possible, ask to see the validation slip yourself, even though scanners usually emit a ‘winning noise chime.’ It’s a foolproof way to ensure you don’t miss out on any winnings, big or small.

Claiming Prizes

Small Prize Claims

For smaller wins, typically up to $1-2,000, claiming your prize is a breeze. You can usually redeem tickets at any authorized lottery retailer. Simply present your winning ticket, and after it is validated, you’ll receive your payout on the spot. In some regions, you may also have the option to claim small prizes online, receive winnings via mail, or claim them online.

Large Prize Claims

For the most part, larger lottery prizes over in Canada must be claimed directly from the lottery corporation the ticket was issued by - and this is always located on the back of each physical ticket. The exact dollar thresholds that change cashing it at a lotto retailers versus online or the lottery corporation’s main office, varies province by province.

You’ll either need to submit a claim online, mail in a set of documents with your winning ticket, or visit them in person - and in some cases, a special appointment if necessary - especially for larger jackpots.

Tax Implications

There’s only good news for Canadian lottery winners: prizes, regardless of size, are tax-free. Unlike in the US, Canada does not consider lottery winnings as taxable income.

Odds and Payouts

Understanding Lottery Odds

Understanding lottery odds is crucial for grasping your chances of winning and making informed decisions about playing single tickets, combos, or certain games over others.

Lottery odds represent the likelihood of winning and are usually expressed as a ratio, such as 1 in X, where X is the total number of possible combinations. For national lotteries, the odds of winning the jackpot (matching all numbers) are typically a long shot due to the vast number of possible combinations. However, the odds of winning smaller prizes, like matching fewer numbers or scoring a Free Play, are generally better and depend on the specific lottery’s structure.

Odds of Winning National Lotteries

Lotto Max: The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 33 million. But, your chance of winning any prize, from Free Play to the main jackpot, is 1 in 7.

Lotto 6/49: The odds of winning the jackpot are around 1 in 13.9 million. But, to recoup your ticket investment, you’ll only need to match 2 out of the 6 numbers, with odds of about 1 in 8.3, to ‘push’ and win a $3 Free Play prize. Overall, your odds of winning any Lotto 6/49 prize, from the Free Play to the main jackpot, are 1 in 6.6.

Daily Grand: The odds of winning the top prize are about 1 in 13.3 million. For this daily draw, your chances of winning any prize, small or big, is 1 in 6.8.

Odds of Winning Provincial Lotteries

Provincial games typically offer better odds due to a smaller player pool. Let’s take a look at a few of the bigger games out there, that are offered exclusively within certain provincial borders.

BC/49: 1 in 13.9 million for the main jackpot, but 1 in 32.3 for winning any prize.

Lottario: 1 in 8.1 million for the main jackpot, and only 1 in 5.8 for any prize.

Ontario 49: 1 in 14 million for the main jackpot, and 1 in 6.6 for any prize.

Western 649: 1 in 3.5 million for the big one, and 1 in 6.6 for any prize.

Prize Structures

National Lottery Payouts

National lotteries, like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, typically have a tiered prize structure. For Canada’s original national lottery, Lotto 6/49, here’s how the payout structure works for the Classic Draw.

6: 79.5% of the prize pool
5 + Bonus: 6% of the prize pool
5: 5% of the prize pool
4: 9.5% of prize pool
3: $10
2 + Bonus: $5
2: Free Play ($3 value)

Here is the prize structure for the Lotto Max grand jackpot.

7: 87.25% of the prize pool
6 + Bonus: 2.5% of the prize pool
6: 2.5% of the prize pool
5 + Bonus: 1.5% of prize pool
5: 3.5% of prize pool
4 + Bonus: 2.75% of prize pool
4: $20
3 + Bonus: $20
3: Free Play ($5 value)
Provincial Lottery Payouts

Many of the provincial lotteries, exclusive to their borders, follow a similar structure. Let’s take a look at BC49’s prize structure as an example:

6: 50% of the prize pool
5 + Bonus: 5% of the prize pool
5: 5% of the prize pool
4: 15% of prize pool
3: $10
2 + Bonus: $5
2: Free Play ($3 value)

Progressive Jackpots

Progressive jackpots increase over time until someone wins. These jackpots grow as more tickets are sold, with a portion of each ticket sale going towards the jackpot. Progressive jackpots like Lotto Max will continue to build until won, while the Gold Ball $1 Million jackpot of Lotto 649 is fixed, and is guaranteed to be awarded on every draw.

Tips for Maximizing Your Chances

As with any gambling game, it’s important to understand your odds. While the allure of large jackpots can be strong, they often come with very long odds. For a more practical approach, consider localized scratch and win tickets, such as Ontario’s Gold Pursuit, or charitable lotteries like the BC Children’s Hospital Lottery. With only 345,000 tickets sold, the odds are significantly better compared to Lotto Max’s 1 in 33 million.

When playing pick-number games like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, consider the following strategies:

Use Statistics: Review historical data to identify frequently drawn numbers or patterns, though remember that each draw is random.
Promotions & Special Draws: Take advantage of special bonus draws like MaxMillions, or when Lotto 6/49's Gold Ball chances increase to get more value.
Consider Combination Tickets: Look into combination tickets, such as a Lotto Max 6/49 combo which allows you to play multiple combinations of numbers on a single ticket. This can increase your chances of winning smaller prizes.By applying these strategies, you can make more informed choices and potentially enhance your lottery experience. Remember, no method can guarantee a win, so always play responsibly.

FAQs

What are the most popular Canadian lotteries?

Canadians love their big jackpot games, with Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 being the heavy hitters nationwide. But don't count out provincial favourites like Ontario 49 or BC49 and of course, scratch and wins.

What are the 3 national lotteries in Canada?

Canada's three main national lotteries are Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and the Daily Grand. Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max both offer substantial winning opportunities, while the Daily Grand presents a big win in a different format, offering $1,000 a day for life as the top prize.

How are lottery winnings taxed in Canada?

US lottery players are often jealous of this, but in Canada, lottery winnings are not taxed. Whether you hit the Lotto Max jackpot, win a few bucks on a scratch ticket, hit a progressive online, or strike a jackpot at your local casino, it’s not considered income and is therefore tax-free.

Can I play Canadian lotteries if I live outside Canada?

You can't buy tickets online unless you're in Canada, and official retailers can't mail tickets internationally. However, some online lottery agents offer to buy tickets on your behalf. Just be cautious – these services aren't officially endorsed, and claiming prizes could get complicated.

What are the odds of winning a Canadian lottery?

Pretty slim! For Lotto Max, you're looking at about 1 in 33 million for the big prize. Lotto 6/49 isn't much easier at roughly 1 in 14 million. But consider this - someone has to win eventually, so why not you?

How do I claim a lottery prize?

Claiming a lottery prize in Canada depends on how much you've won. Smaller wins, typically under $2,000, can be claimed at any lottery retailer, so long as it's within the lottery jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased. If you hit a major jackpot, a visit to the main lottery office of your province (or as we mentioned, in the issuing ticket's province) is required to claim it.

What happens if I lose my lottery ticket?

Besides learning a hard lesson about buying physical tickets rather than digital lottery tickets, players can report a loss to the issuing organization. If possible, they can help track down a transaction record especially if you have a receipt or details of purchase.

Has anyone ever won the Daily Grand lottery in Canada?

Yes! The Daily Grand lottery has awarded several winners its top prize of $1,000 a day for life, as well as the runner-up cash prize of $25,000 annually.

Who won the 17 million dollar lottery in Canada in 2017?

A whopping jackpot of $17.3 million was won back in 2017 by two close friends of over 15 years, Kevin McMurray and Scott Stoll. After unsuccessfully playing the lottery together for three years, they struck it big with a ticket purchased at Mac’s convenience store on the Sixth Line in Ontario.

What is the biggest lottery in Canada?

Starting in September 2024, Canada’s national lottery - Lotto Max - will allow jackpots to reach $80 million, making it the largest lottery game in Canada.

Which province wins the most lotteries in Canada?

A recent 2023 report shows that when provinces are ranked by lottery luck playing Canada’s top three national lotteries, the winning province is actually a territory - Nunavut. Based on winnings per 1,000 residents, the rankings give Nunavut the top spot, followed by Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.

Can you win the lottery from another province in Canada?

National lottery games like Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, as well as provincial games like BC 49, can be won by any Canadian. However, any prizes won must be claimed in the lottery jurisdiction where the ticket was purchased. So, if you buy a lottery ticket at YVR and touch down in Halifax as a winner, you’d need to return to BC to claim your prize at BCLC's main office (if it’s a whopper), or it’s possible to submit a claim online or via mail.

Can I buy Canadian lottery tickets online?

Yes, you can buy Canadian lottery tickets online. Most provinces offer official online platforms where you can purchase tickets so long as you hold an account.