Lotto Max

Lotto Max is the Canada’s Biggest Jackpot game. It came into existence on September 19, 2009 replacing Lotto Super 7. The first set of winning numbers was drawn on September 25, 2009, and subsequent draws have been held every Friday.  

This newest National Lottery is administered by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, which works with the five regional lottery corporations owned by the 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Tickets are sold in every Canadian province and territory through government licensed retailers such as convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and online where provinces provide regulated platforms.

In Atlantic Canada, it’s offered via Atlantic Lottery Corporation; Ontario via OLG; Western Canada Lottery Corporation; B.C. via BCLC; and Loto‑Québec

How to Play

• There are a set of 49 numbers to choose from and players must choose seven numbers,
• You receive three seven-number Selections for $5. You can select one set of numbers, and the Ticket Terminal selects another two.
• Jackpots start at a minimum of $10 Million and can grow to $50 Million!
• When the Lotto Max Jackpot exceeds $50 Million, additional Maxmillions draws will occur with prizes of $1 Million each!

Max Millions is automatic when the jackpot reaches C$50 million. No extra fee.

Encore and Extra are optional add‑ons costing about C$1 per line. Encore offers additional smaller cash prizes, while Extra (available in some provinces) gives chances at separate top prizes in different draws

You can buy tickets for up to 25 future draws in advance, online or in person.

Ways to Play

There are two ways to play Lotto Max

• Quick Pick Method
• Add Encore
• Choose Your Own Number

1. Quick Pick Method

• Ask your lottery retailer for a Quick Pick OR check the Quick Pick box on a Lotto Max Selection Slip and the lottery terminal will randomly choose your three sets of numbers for you.
• If you want to play for more than one draw in advance, use a Selection Slip and mark the number of draws in the Advance Play box.
• Seven numbers plus one bonus number are drawn for the Lotto Max Main Draw. Seven numbers are drawn for each Maxmillions Draw, when held. Match the numbers drawn to win.
• If you would like to play Encore, notify your retailer before the ticket is printed. Each play costs $1.

2. Encore Play

• Mark how many Encore you want to play (1-10) on your Selection Slip. If you chose Advance Play on your Selection Slip, you’ll be playing Encore and your host game for each of the host games’ draws.
• Win by matching the drawn winning numbers from right to left or left to right in the exact order.

3. Pick your Own Numbers

• On a Lotto Max Selection Slip, mark seven numbers from 1 to 49 that you want to play. For each set of numbers played, the lottery terminal will generate two additional sets of numbers chosen.
• You can play up to five times per ticket. If you want to play for more than one draw, mark the number of draws in the Advance Play box.
• Seven numbers plus one bonus number are drawn for the Lotto Max Main Draw. Seven numbers are drawn for each Maxmillions Draw, when held. Match the numbers drawn to win.

Changes you can find in Lotto Max

Ticket Cost

• C$5 for a regular play (3 lines).
• Optional Encore/Extra = C$1 per line if added.
• Combo‑plays (8‑ or 9‑number systems) are available for higher cost and more combinations, but the base game is always C$5 for 3 lines.

Lotto Max Draw

Draws are held twice weekly: Tuesdays and Fridays, typically at 10:30 pm Eastern Time (which translates to earlier local times in Central, Mountain, and Pacific zones).

When the jackpot is under C$50M, only the main draw occurs. If the jackpot exceeds C$50M, MaxMillions draws are held as separate seven‑number draws, one per each C$1M “MaxMillions” prize.

Lotto Max Results

• Lotto Max Results are available at all the Canadian lottery official websites and their apps.
• You can visit the websites, go to winners page and find the winning numbers.
• Scan your Lotto Max Ticket at the lottery app or at the lotto machine kept at the retailer.
• Local newspapers and other independent media sites also publish the results.

Prizes and Odds to Win

To win a prize, numbers matched must appear in the same Selection (line).

• Match 7 of 7 – Jackpot (share or full).
• Match 6 of 7 + Bonus 2nd tier prizes.

Nine prize tiers in total, prizes start at matching 3 numbers (Free Play) up to the jackpot. Matching 3 numbers + bonus or 4 numbers also win fixed C$20 prizes.

Odds of jackpot (per C$5 play, i.e. 3 lines): approximately 1 in 33,294,800.

Overall odds of winning any prize: around 1 in 6.6 to 7 per play

• Lotto Max Main Draw prizes and Maxmillions prizes must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date.
• Unclaimed prizes from national games (i.e., Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49) are returned to players through future bonus games or promotions. These funds are held separately from Ontario-only games and are administered by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation.
• Lotto Max winning tickets purchased in Ontario can be redeemed only in Ontario.

Lotto Max Strategy to Win

Major Takeaways

Lotto Max is one of Canada’s most exciting and high-stakes lottery games, known for its massive jackpots and life-changing MaxMillions prizes.

With draws held twice a week and a simple format of choosing seven numbers from 1 to 50, it offers widespread accessibility across all provinces and territories.

The game is popular not only for its generous prize structure, including jackpots that can reach up to C$80 million, but also for its unique bonus features like MaxMillions, which create multiple millionaires in a single night.

Whether you’re buying a quick pick at your local convenience store or playing online through a provincial lottery website, Lotto Max provides a thrilling opportunity to dream big.

While the odds of winning the top prize are steep, the game’s multiple prize tiers and frequent draws offer plenty of chances to win smaller, yet still substantial, rewards. Still it is always advised to play responsibly and never ever chase the losses or wins. It is simply a game of chance, that you need to remember.

FAQs