Canada has entered uncharted territory on the lottery front, as the nationwide Lotto Max jackpot rolls from a record CA$75 million to $80 million ($US55-59 million) after there was no winner in Friday’s draw.
Earlier this month, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation increased the top jackpot from $70 million to a maximum amount of $80 million. It was raised to $70 million in May 2019.
Friday’s jackpot was $75 million, a new record, but since no one hit, it climbs to the capped $80 million and will sit there until someone wins. Then it will reset to $10 million.
The draw for the $80 million Lotto Max jackpot will be held Tuesday.
According to the OLG, since May 2019, there have been 18 winning tickets of $70 million (one draw produced two winning tickets, so the jackpot was split with each ticket holder receiving $35 million).
The odds of winning the main jackpot are 1 in 33.3 million per $5 play (the $5 receives three tickets).
With Lotto Max, players choose seven numbers from a pool of 50 and if they match all seven numbers, they win the jackpot. There are secondary prizes for matching six, five, four, or three numbers.
Lotto 6/49 is also played in Canada. If players match all six out of 49 numbers, they win the jackpot, with secondary prizes for matching five, four, or three numbers.
There are provincial lotteries in Canada as well, like the OLG’s LOTTARIO.
Over the years, national lotteries in Canada have raised billions for charitable causes and community healthcare, education, and social-services programs.
Customers have until 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday to purchase Lotto Max tickets for the next draw. There are two draws every week – Tuesday and Friday.
