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. Check the complete guide on How to play Lotteries.

The Object of the Game

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

Breaking Down a Lottery Ticket

Here's what you need to know about the ticket for the games you choose to play.

A. The Game: This is the spot on the ticket that tells you which of the draw-based lottery games it’s for. Learn more about each game here.
B. The Draw: When’s the draw? This will show the date.
C. The Price: How much is the ticket? This will show the price.

A LOTTO MAX ticket. D is over the lines of numbers.

D. The Line: This section is your “line” of numbers. Pick them yourself or let the lottery terminal generate random numbers for you.

Tip

However you pick your numbers, they all have an equal chance of winning.

A LOTTO MAX ticket. E is over the Encore number.

E. Encore. This section of the ticket shows 2 things:
1) If you added Encore to your purchase, it will say, “Encore Played”
2) Your separate set of Encore numbers for the Encore draw. Learn more about Encore here.

A LOTTO MAX ticket. F is over the ticket number. G is over the signature line. H is over the bar code.

F. Ticket number

G. Signature line: In order to claim a prize, you must sign your ticket

H. Barcode: To see if you won, scan the barcode on your ticket using the ticket checker at a participating retailer; ask the retailer to scan the barcode at a lottery terminal; or use the OLG App. Learn more here.

How to Play in 5 Easy Steps

1

Set a budget: Playing the lottery is gambling, so keep it fun by treating it as part of your entertainment budget.
2
1. Choose your lottery: There are 5 exciting draw-based games you can try.
3

Pick your numbers: Since it’s all by chance, enjoy picking your numbers or seeing what the lottery terminal generates.
4

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

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.

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

Discover the games here

3. How to Pick Lottery Numbers

There are two ways to pick numbers: Quick Pick and to choose your own. Learn more about these easy ways to play here. Whichever way you choose, when there are multiple lines, the random number generator picks the next set of numbers for you.

A computer randomly selecting numbers in a speech bubble

Quick Pick:

A fast and easy way to play. Just ask a participating retailer for a Quick Pick and the lottery terminal’s random number generator chooses the lottery numbers for you.

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

Pick Your Own:

You choose the numbers you want to play. Simply fill out the selection slip at a participating retailer.

Tip

Whether you play with Quick Pick or pick your own numbers, the odds of winning stay the same.

Completed number selections on a selection slip.

The selection slip:

You choose your numbers on a paper selection slip provided at participating retailers. Simply select the required amount of numbers for each play in the game you’re playing. The slip has “boards” to fill in to complete your play; one board determines your line.

Once it’s completed, give your selection slip to a participating retailer and your ticket will be printed.

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

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.

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.

Find a retailer near you open in a new window Play Lottery at OLG.ca open in a new window

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