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Lottery
Lottery

HOW TO PLAY

We’ve all imagined a lottery win. It could be the chance of a lifetime to win a massive jackpot by matching a set of numbers to those drawn.

What’s it all about? The luck of the draw.

Play Video HOW TO PLAY

The Object of the Game

A pencil filling in a selected number.

To win a draw-based jackpot lottery, the numbers you pick must match some of the numbers drawn. When you buy your ticket, select a set of numbers, or a “line”. A line can be a set of five to seven numbers, ranging from 1 to 45, or 1 to 50, depending on the game.

The more numbers on one line you match to the draw numbers, the more you could win.
To win the jackpot, all your numbers must match the numbers drawn.

Learn more about odds & payouts

How to Play in 5 Easy Steps

  • Dollar signs signifying expense level with a check mark next to the middle option $$.
    1

    Set a budget: Playing the lottery is gambling, so keep it fun by treating it as part of your entertainment budget.

  • Using a pencil to select the type of lottery to play on a selection slip
    2

    Choose your lottery: There are 5 exciting draw-based games you can try.

  • Filled in numbers on a selection slip
    3

    Pick your numbers: Since it’s all by chance, enjoy picking your numbers or seeing what the lottery terminal generates.

  • Holding up a lottery ticket.
    4

    Check your numbers: You can see if you’ve won, at retail, online at olg.ca, or using the OLG App.

  • A player claiming their prize.
    5

    If you are a winner, claim your prize: Be sure to visit a retailer before your prize expires in 12 months from the date of the draw.

1. Set a Budget

The lottery is a game that’s fun to play. It’s also a form of gambling. Treat it as part of your entertainment budget, like cash you’d spend on a movie or snack.

Plan how much you’re willing to spend in advance and set a budget. It isn’t an investment that’s guaranteed to show a return, so just enjoy it.

2. Choose Your Lottery

Here are five draw-based lottery games, with a variety of exciting features. Choose your favourites.

Discover the games here

4. How To Check Your Numbers

An OLG lottery scanner scanning a ticket.

Don’t miss out! Be sure to double-check your ticket to see if it’s a winner. There are four ways to check:

  • Scan the barcode on the ticket using the ticket checker at a participating OLG retailer
  • Ask a participating retailer to scan the barcode on the ticket using the lottery terminal
  • Scan the barcode on the ticket using the OLG App
  • View winning numbers by game at OLG.ca

Tip

With all lotteries, the matching numbers must be on the same line in order to win, not across multiple lines.

Check winning numbers open in a new window

5. How to Claim Your Prize

If you’re playing online, prizes less than $1000 will be automatically added to your OLG.ca wallet. If playing at an OLG retailer, in-store prizes less than $1000 can be collected instantly, within the retailer’s hours.

Learn about claiming your prize open in a new window

Tip

There’s an expiry date on prizes, so visit a retailer within 12 months of the draw date.

Lottery Draws

Ball-drop machine selecting numbers.

Draw-based lotteries use either a ball-drop machine or a Random Number Generator (RNG) for an exciting reveal of the winning numbers for LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 6/49, DAILY GRAND, LOTTARIO and ONTARIO 49.

Learn more about Ball Draw vs. RNG

HOW JACKPOTS WORK

Most lottery jackpots are progressive, which means jackpots that are not won roll over between successive draws and get larger. LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 649 Gold Ball Jackpot Draw and LOTTARIO are examples of lotteries that features progressive jackpots.

FYI

Some Lottery games feature multiple jackpots. Lotto 6/49 for example has a Gold Ball Jackpot that can be won in addition to the Classic Jackpot.