How the Canadian Lottery System Works: A Beginner’s Guide
Lottery games in Canada are managed provincially, and basically, the company behind lotteries is the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC). ILC is owned jointly by five different provinces:
- Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
- British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
- Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC)
- Loto Quebec
- Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC)
It was established in 1976, and as it has 5 different provinces, and each province manages the marketing of national games within its own jurisdiction, it makes the management easier.
Regulation of Lotteries in Canada
In almost every country, all the gambling-related activities like casino gaming, slots play, and lotteries are highly regulated to make sure that players don’t get addicted and everything stays as fair as possible.
In Canada, lotteries are regulated by the Gaming Control Act 1992 and the Criminal Code of Canada.
The rules for Canadian lotteries are mentioned in Section 207 of the Criminal Code of Canada, and it says that only certain people are allowed to operate and run lotteries in Canada.
The section states that only provincial governments are officially allowed to carry out large-scale lotteries.
Five provinces are allowed to manage lotteries in their own province through their own lottery corporation like:
- OLG (Ontario)
- BCLC (British Columbia)
- Loto-Québec (Québec)
Apart from these provinces, charitable trusts and regional organizations can also run lotteries and other similar activities like bingo or raffles. But this also needs approval or a license from provincial authorities to conduct lottery activities.
Other exceptions include fairs, exhibitions, and small amusement games, which can offer low-value prizes (usually under $500) as long as they’re licensed. No one can run a lottery in Canada without permission.
Provinces have full control over who gets a license, what kinds of games can be run, and how the money is used.
Types of Lotteries in Canada
Majorly, Canada processes only 2 types of lotteries:
- National Lotteries
- Provincial Lotteries
National Lotteries
National Lotteries of Canada are managed by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and are available in every province of Canada.
As they are available nationwide, they have comparatively better reach than provincial lotteries and are also typically known for their higher jackpots and multi-million dollar prizes.
The most popular and most played national lotteries of Canada are listed below:
- Lotto Max
Drawn twice a week (Tuesday and Friday), Lotto Max can reach jaw-dropping jackpots—often exceeding $70 million. This game also includes Maxmillions, which are separate $1 million prizes awarded when the jackpot exceeds $50 million. - Lotto 6/49
A long-standing favourite with a Gold Ball jackpot that often crosses $50 million, plus a Classic Draw with a $5 million prize and various guaranteed prizes like the $1 million White Ball. - Daily Grand
Offers a unique top prize of $1,000 a day for life, or a one-time lump sum of $7 million.
Real Example: May 2025 Lotto Wins
On May 2, 2025, the Lotto Max draw offered a $70 million jackpot. Though the top prize wasn’t claimed, two Ontario players each won $1 million through Maxmillions. Additionally, 68 players matched six of seven numbers to win $4,299.30 each.
Reference – https://www.soscip.org/70-million-lotto-max-winning-numbers-may-2-2025/
Just a day later, on May 3, Lotto 6/49’s Gold Ball draw had a $58 million prize. While that jackpot went unclaimed, a lucky player in Western Canada secured the $1 million White Ball prize, and four players in Ontario each took home $76,000.60.
Provincial Lottery is a term given to all the lotteries run by each province.
Provincial Lottery Operators
Here are the official lottery corporations for each province:
- Ontario: Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG)
- British Columbia: British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)
- Quebec: Loto-Québec
- Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and territories): Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC)
- Atlantic Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island): Atlantic Lottery Corporation (ALC)
Popular Provincial Lottery Games
Each province offers a variety of lottery games tailored to its residents:
- Ontario 49: A provincial draw game with a top prize of $2 million.
- Lottario: Unique to Ontario, featuring rolling jackpots.
- Encore: An add-on game offering additional chances to win up to $1 million.
- BC/49: A $2 million jackpot game exclusive to B.C.
- Keno: Frequent draws with varying prize levels.
- Scratch & Win: Instant win games with various themes and prize amounts.
- Québec 49: A provincial version of the popular 6/49 game.
- La Mini, Sprinto, Banco: Unique games offering diverse play styles and prizes.
- Western 649: A regional game with a $2 million top prize.
- Western Max: Offers multiple $1 million prizes.
- Extra: An add-on game for additional prize opportunities.
- Atlantic 49: A regional draw game with a $1 million jackpot.
- TAG: An add-on game providing extra chances to win.
- Keno Atlantic: Frequent draws with various prize levels.
How To Play Lottery in Canada?
Lotteries can be played in 2 ways: online or offline.
For online, you must choose any provincial website and buy tickets from there, and results can be checked there itself. It does not require any physical appearance anywhere. However, the other option is to buy tickets from a store.
You can play the in-store lottery in two simple ways. First, you can go up to the cashier at a lottery retailer and ask for the game you want to play—like Lotto Max or Lotto 6/49 – and how many lines you want.
The system will usually give you random numbers, which is called a Quick Pick. If you’d rather choose your own numbers, you can fill out a paper selection slip (found near the counter), follow the instructions on it carefully, and hand it to the cashier, who will scan it and give you your ticket.
Always keep your ticket safe, along with the playslip if you used one. You can also buy scratch cards at most stores, and there’s no limit to how many you can purchase – but it’s important to play responsibly.
If you happen to win a big prize, don’t hand in the ticket at the store. First, take clear photos or scans of both the front and back of your ticket, then contact your provincial lottery office – like OLG, WCLC, or Loto-Québec – for the next steps.
For large wins, you’ll usually need to visit the office in person with ID.
Also, be aware that in many provinces, lottery winners’ names and photos are made public, so if you want to stay anonymous, it’s a good idea to speak with a lottery lawyer before claiming your prize.
You typically have up to a year to claim your winnings, depending on where you live.
There are multiple retailer shops where lottery tickets can be bought. If you want to know the location, you can check each of the 5 provincial websites. There are 3 pieces of information that you’ll receive:
- Exact retailer location
- Online option to buy tickets
- You can also type on Google – “Where to get in-store lottery tickets in (your location)”
Claiming Lottery Prizes in Canada
The process of claiming a lottery prize in Canada requires only a few easy steps. There are two ways to claim a lottery prize, depending on the winning amount and the province where the ticket was purchased.
If you have already won, here are the steps to follow:
- Verify Your Winning Ticket – Make sure your ticket matches the winning numbers. If it does, sign your ticket to confirm that it is yours.
- Smaller Prizes – If the prize is small (i.e., under $1,000), it can be claimed at the retailer where you purchased the ticket. It can also be claimed through the official lottery website or app.
- Larger Prizes – If the prize is more than $1,000, you will need to visit the Provincial Lottery Office. You will generally need to:
- Fill out a claim form.
- Submit identification (usually a government-issued ID).
- Submit your winning ticket.
Editor’s Verdict
Lottery has a strong presence in Canada, and the rules for playing differ from countries like New Zealand. The option to play provincially increases the chances of winning, as the competition is lower.
Canada keeps its lottery system tight and well-organized. Each province runs its own games, but all follow national rules, making things consistent across the board.
Buying tickets is simple – either online or in-store – and claiming a prize depends on the amount won.
Smaller wins are easy to handle at a retailer, while bigger prizes require a visit to a lottery office with valid ID and a claim form.
One thing to note: your name might go public if you win big.