Lotto Max
Lotto Max is one of Canada's three national lottery games, coordinated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. Introduced on September 19, 2009, as the successor to Lotto Super 7, the game is known for its large jackpots and the unique MaxMillions prize system, which creates multiple $1 million winners when the main prize grows. Draws are held twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering a main jackpot that can reach a maximum of $90 million. The game's structure, including the addition of new MaxPlus prizes in 2026, is designed to generate substantial prize pools and frequent major wins.
Gameplay and recent changes
To play Lotto Max, a participant selects seven numbers from a field of 1 to 52. A single play, costing $6, includes the player's chosen numbers plus three additional lines of quick pick numbers. The main draw selects seven winning numbers plus a bonus number. The top prize, won by matching all seven main numbers, starts at a minimum of $10 million. The odds of winning the jackpot with the 7/52 matrix are approximately 1 in 33 million. When the main jackpot reaches $50 million, the game activates its signature MaxMillions feature, which creates separate $1 million prizes that are awarded for an exact match on a unique set of seven numbers. These MaxMillions prizes accumulate weekly until the main jackpot is won, after which any unclaimed MaxMillions funds are added to the reset $10 million jackpot.
Major changes to the game's structure have occurred over time to increase jackpot sizes and winning opportunities. In May 2019, the number field expanded from 49 to 50, the maximum jackpot increased to $70 million, a second weekly draw on Tuesdays was added, and new prize tiers for matching four or five numbers plus the bonus were introduced. The maximum jackpot cap was raised to $80 million on September 10, 2024. The most significant overhaul came into effect with the draw on April 14, 2026. This update expanded the number matrix to 7/52, increased the maximum jackpot to the current $90 million, and introduced a new auxiliary prize called MaxPlus. For every $1 million in the main jackpot, one $100,000 MaxPlus prize is created for each draw, awarded for an exact match on a separate set of numbers. The price per play also increased from $5 to $6 at this time, but included three quick pick lines instead of two.
Prize structure and odds
The prize fund for Lotto Max is derived from ticket sales, with a minimum of 48 percent allocated to the prize pool. The fixed prizes for matching three numbers, three numbers plus the bonus, or four numbers are paid from this fund. The remaining balance forms the Pools Fund, which finances the pari-mutuel shares for the larger prizes, including the jackpot, MaxMillions, and MaxPlus. The overall odds of winning any prize in Lotto Max are approximately 1 in 7.0. The secondary prize tiers reward players for matching fewer numbers, with payouts varying based on the total prize pool and the number of winners in each category.
Prize claims are pari-mutuel, meaning the amount each winner receives depends on the total prize pool for that tier and the number of winning tickets. For example, matching six numbers plus the bonus number or matching six numbers alone yields a share of the pool allocated to those prize categories. The MaxMillions and MaxPlus prizes operate differently, as they are awarded on an exact-match-only basis for specific sets of numbers drawn alongside the main numbers. These auxiliary prizes do not offer secondary prize tiers. A ticket must match all seven numbers exactly to claim the $1 million or $100,000 prize. This structure creates numerous opportunities for million-dollar and six-figure wins independent of the main jackpot.
Administration and regional games
Lotto Max is administered by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC), a consortium comprising Canada's five regional lottery corporations: the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Loto-Québec, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation, and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. The ILC coordinates the national game, including the draw mechanics and prize calculations. Each regional corporation also manages optional add-on games for an extra $1 per ticket, which provide additional chances to win on the same draw night. These add-ons, known as Tag, Encore, or Extra depending on the province, typically involve matching a separate set of digits for prizes up to $1 million.
Two regions operate local versions of the game that run concurrently with Lotto Max draws. Loto-Québec offers Québec Max, while the Western Canada Lottery Corporation offers Western Max. These games feature a fixed $2 million jackpot and a pool of 14 separate $1 million prizes on each draw, similar in concept to the MaxMillions system. Players in Quebec and Western Canada can often choose to play Lotto Max, the regional game, or both using the same selection of numbers, though Western Max still uses a 7/50 number matrix and its own selection slip. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation also offers a unique $1 add-on called Twist, which adds lines of quick picks that can be matched against the main Lotto Max winning numbers for supplemental prizes, including a top prize of $100,000.
- Tag/Encore/Extra: A $1 add-on with prizes up to $1 million for matching digits.
- Québec Max: A regional game with a $2 million jackpot and 14 $1 million prizes.
- Western Max: A regional game with a $2 million jackpot and 14 $1 million prizes, using a 7/50 matrix.
- Twist (Atlantic Canada): A $1 add-on awarding prizes up to $100,000 for matching Lotto Max numbers.
Record jackpots and prize pools
Lotto Max has consistently produced some of the largest lottery prize pools in Canadian history. The game's ability to roll over and generate MaxMillions prizes has led to several record-breaking draws. The first drawing to offer a total prize pool of $100 million occurred on July 6, 2012, featuring a $50 million jackpot and 50 MaxMillions prizes. This $100 million benchmark was reached again in June 2015. When the jackpot cap increased to $60 million in 2015, new records were set. The draw on August 12, 2016, featured a $60 million jackpot and 42 MaxMillions prizes, totalling $102 million in main prizes, a record repeated on January 6, 2017.
The expansion of the MaxMillions system led to even larger pools. In October 2018, the draw on October 26 featured 55 MaxMillions prizes alongside the maximum jackpot, creating $115 million in main prizes, with a winning ticket sold in Edmonton. The record for the number of MaxMillions prizes was set on June 15, 2021, when a draw featured 58 such prizes alongside a $70 million jackpot, totalling $128 million. The following draw on June 18, 2021, was estimated to have 70 MaxMillions prizes, pushing the potential prize pool to $140 million. The introduction of the $90 million maximum jackpot in 2026 created the largest single jackpot in Canadian history. The first draw for this amount was held on October 16, 2026, and the following draw on October 20 produced a winner in Alberta who claimed the historic $90 million prize.
| Draw Date | Main Jackpot | MaxMillions Prizes | Total Main Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 6, 2012 | $50 million | 50 | $100 million |
| August 12, 2016 | $60 million | 42 | $102 million |
| October 26, 2018 | $60 million | 55 | $115 million |
| June 15, 2021 | $70 million | 58 | $128 million |
| June 18, 2021 | $70 million | 70 (estimated) | $140 million (estimated) |
| October 20, 2026 | $90 million | N/A | $90 million |
Historical milestones
Since its launch, Lotto Max has reached several key milestones that mark the growth of its jackpots and prize structures. The first drawing under new rules allowing the main jackpot to exceed $50 million occurred on July 17, 2015, with a $55 million prize won by a group of 20 employees of a Rona store in Quebec. The first $60 million draw was held on September 25, 2015, with a single ticket sold in Brampton, Ontario. After the 2019 changes, the first $65 million draw took place on June 11, 2019, with a winner in Montreal. Following a rollover from a December 31, 2019 draw, the first $70 million draw was held on January 3, 2020.
The increases to the jackpot cap continued with the first $75 million draw occurring on September 13, 2024. That prize rolled over to create Lotto Max's first $80 million draw on September 17, 2024, which was split between two winning tickets sold in Ontario and Quebec. The most significant cap increase took effect on April 14, 2026, setting the new maximum at $90 million. The culmination of these increases was the $90 million jackpot won in Alberta in October 2026, which is the largest lottery jackpot ever awarded in Canada. These milestones reflect the game's evolving design to create larger, more newsworthy top prizes that capture public attention.
- September 19, 2009: Lotto Max introduced.
- September 25, 2009: First Lotto Max draw held.
- July 17, 2015: First jackpot over $50 million ($55 million) awarded.
- May 14, 2019: Game changes: Tuesday draws added, matrix changes to 7/50, max jackpot rises to $70 million.
- September 10, 2024: Maximum jackpot cap increases to $80 million.
- April 14, 2026: Major update: 7/52 matrix, $90 million max jackpot, MaxPlus prizes introduced.
- October 20, 2026: First $90 million jackpot won in Alberta.
Responsible gambling
Lotto Max is a lottery game intended for adult entertainment, with the legal age to purchase tickets being 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. The provincial lottery corporations that administer the game promote responsible gambling practices and provide resources for those who may need support. Initiatives like GameSense, employed by several regional operators, focus on educating players about how lottery games work, the odds of winning, and the importance of setting limits and staying within a personal budget. All lottery corporations offer self-exclusion programs, such as Game Break, which allow individuals to voluntarily take a break from gambling.
Dedicated helplines are available across the country for confidential support and information regarding problem gambling. For instance, the Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Help Line can be reached at 1-800-306-6789, and Gambling Support BC operates at 1-888-795-6111. Players are encouraged to use available tools to set deposit limits, track their play, and seek help if they feel their gambling is becoming problematic. The official game rules and conditions are subject to change by the lottery corporations, and players are advised to consult the latest information available from their provincial retailer or official website.
Questions about Lotto Max
What are the Lotto Max winning numbers?
The winning numbers for Lotto Max are drawn every Tuesday and Friday night. The main draw consists of seven numbers selected from 1 to 52, plus an additional bonus number. The bonus number is used to determine winners in some secondary prize tiers. Players should check official sources, such as provincial lottery corporation websites or in-store ticket checkers, for the most accurate and up-to-date winning numbers from each draw.
How much is the Lotto Max jackpot?
The Lotto Max jackpot starts at a minimum of $10 million and can grow to a maximum of $90 million, a cap that was established on April 14, 2026. The jackpot increases through rollovers when there is no grand prize winner. When the jackpot reaches $50 million, the MaxMillions feature is activated, creating additional $1 million prizes on each subsequent draw until the main jackpot is won. The largest jackpot in the game's history was $90 million, won by a ticket holder in Alberta in October 2026.
What are MaxMillions and MaxPlus prizes?
MaxMillions are auxiliary $1 million prizes that are added to draws once the main jackpot reaches $50 million. Separate sets of seven numbers are drawn, and a ticket must match all seven exactly to win a MaxMillions prize. MaxPlus is a newer feature introduced on April 14, 2026. For every $1 million in the main jackpot, one $100,000 MaxPlus prize is created for that draw. Like MaxMillions, MaxPlus prizes are awarded for an exact match on a unique set of numbers and do not offer secondary prize tiers. Both features create additional major win opportunities beyond the main jackpot.
How much does a Lotto Max ticket cost?
As of the April 14, 2026 changes, a single Lotto Max play costs $6. This purchase includes the player's selected line of seven numbers plus three additional lines of quick pick numbers. Prior to April 2026, a play cost $5 and included two quick pick lines. The price increase accompanied significant game enhancements, including the expansion to a 7/52 number matrix, the new $90 million maximum jackpot, and the introduction of MaxPlus prizes. The $6 play price is consistent across all participating provinces.
What days are Lotto Max draws?
Lotto Max draws are held twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday evenings. The addition of the Tuesday draw occurred on May 14, 2019 as part of a major game update designed to increase the frequency of draws and help the jackpot reach higher amounts more often. Draw times are typically in the evening, with specific times varying slightly by region. Players should confirm the exact draw time with their provincial lottery corporation, as it may affect ticket purchase deadlines.
What happens to unclaimed MaxMillions prizes?
Unclaimed MaxMillions prizes are carried over until they are won. Once the main Lotto Max jackpot is won, any remaining unclaimed MaxMillions prize funds are added to the reset minimum jackpot of $10 million. This addition boosts the starting jackpot for the next drawing cycle. The MaxMillions system creates supplemental $1 million prizes that are drawn when the main jackpot reaches $50 million. These prizes are only awarded on an exact match of all seven numbers and do not offer secondary prizes.
Sources and further reading
- Lotto Max (Wikipedia)
- Winning Numbers (olg.ca)
- Lotto Max winning numbers (playnow.com)
- LOTTO MAX (sasklotteries.ca)
Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-11-07.
