Lotteries have been in existences for centuries – and are believed to have stemmed from 1500s England, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. From here, the popular game of chance gained traction all around the world, and in Canada, it’s no different.
In earlier years, much like other countries, Canada used lotteries as a way to fundraise community projects and public works, such as the construction of bridges and road repairs – and these days, each province has its own Lottery which contributes to helping the community, giving back to its people.
But why are lotteries so popular? Well, they are simply a game of chance. No matter how superstitious someone is, or whether they have an affinity with a certain number – they have no control over the final result. This adds to the excitement around picking numbers, and taking a chance, on an opportunity to win – despite the sheer randomness of a Lottery draw.
Online casinos have opened up new opportunities to play the Lottery – meaning that you no longer need to go out to a shop or kiosk to grab your ticket. Instead, log-in to your online account and start playing.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of Canada’s most popular lotteries. Read on to find out more.
Lotto 6/49
Established in 1982, Lotto 6/49 is still going strong today – and is one of three Canadian National Lotteries. It was the first Canadian Lottery that allowed players to choose their own numbers, as previous forms of the game used pre-printed numbers on tickets.
If you’re wondering how to play, it couldn’t be easier – and as its name suggests, you’re looking to land all six numbers out of a possible 49 to win the jackpot. The minimum jackpot of CA$5 million, and the biggest winnings recorded were on 17th October 2015 – where one lucky participant in Mississauga, Ontario won the jackpot of CA$64 million.
Lotto 6/49 is administered by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation and as a result, five different provinces also run regional add-on games to the main draw. These are Atlantic 49, Quebec 49, Ontario 49, Western 6/49, and BC 49 – and for an additional $1 per ticket, there’s the chance of winning a bonus, should you land the randomised six or seven-digit figure printed on the ticket.
Like we mentioned above, you can also play Lotto 6/49 online, which, of course, comes with its own added benefits.
Lotto Max
Lotto Max is also coordinated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, but was introduced to the Canadian public a lot more recently – in 2009. The game replaced the Lotto Super 7, and is played twice a week.
If you’re wondering how to play Lotto Max online, the rules and regulations vary upon province – for example, Albertian residents can play courtesy of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) Commission, while in Ontario, the game is commissioned by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) Corporation. However, you’ll find that online casinos in these provinces will offer it – meaning that playing the Lottery has never been so accessible and convenient.
Players are required to predict the seven numbers (out of 50) – with the jackpot prize starting at CA$10 million. Once it has reached at least $50 million, additional prizes of $1 million are rewarded, with the jackpot capped at $70 million. Similarly to Lotto 6/49, localised versions of Lotto Max are also run – namely by Loto-Québec and the Western Canada Lottery Corporation.
Daily Grand
The third and final National Lottery associated with Canada is the Daily Grand, which was first drawn in October 2016. However, it initially started out in Quebec, and was introduced to Atlantic Canada the following year.
As its name suggests, the game’s top prize is $1,000 a day for a guaranteed period of 20 years – or a lump sum option, of $7 million. Draws are held twice a week, with five winning digits being chosen out of a possible 49 numbers, as well as the Grand Number, which acts like a bonus – between one and seven.
As the saying goes, if you don’t have a ticket, you won’t win the lottery. With the game being transformed by online casinos, it’s even easier for residents to get in on the action, and there’s no doubt that this traditional game of chance will remain popular for many years to come.