To play Lotto 6/49, you must select six numbers from a pool of 1 to 49 for the Classic Draw and receive a guaranteed 10-digit selection for the Gold Ball Draw. Each play costs CAD 3 and provides entry into both drawings, which take place every Wednesday and Saturday. This dual-draw structure gives players two distinct opportunities to win prizes on a single ticket purchase.
How to play Lotto 6/49
Operating as a cornerstone of Canadian gaming since 1982, this national game is managed by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. Our Canadian lottery guide explains the modern format of this game, which was updated in September 2022 to introduce the current two-draw mechanism. Players can participate through physical retail locations across Canada or via official provincial lottery websites.
When purchasing a ticket, you have two primary methods of number selection. You can choose your own six numbers from 1 to 49 using a selection slip. Alternatively, you can select the Quick Pick option to have the lottery terminal generate random numbers on your behalf. Every individual selection of six numbers constitutes one play.
With each play, the terminal automatically prints a unique, ten-digit number sequence on your ticket. This sequence represents your entry into the Gold Ball Draw. No additional fee is required for this entry, as the CAD 3 ticket price covers both drawings. Players can purchase up to 10 plays on a single ticket at retail terminals.
The drawings take place twice weekly, every Wednesday and Saturday night. Ticket sales close across the country at 10:30 PM Eastern Time on draw nights. If you purchase tickets after this deadline, your entry will be registered for the subsequent drawing.
Understanding the Gold Ball Draw versus the Classic Draw
The two drawings on each ticket operate under entirely different systems. The Classic Draw utilizes a traditional lottery model where six main numbers and one bonus number are drawn from a pool of 49. To win the fixed CAD 5 million jackpot, you must match all six main numbers drawn. The bonus number only applies to the second-tier prize division.
The Gold Ball Draw uses a raffle-style mechanism to guarantee a winner for every draw. The system selects one winning ten-digit code from all the codes issued across Canada for that specific drawing. The owner of the matching ticket is guaranteed to win either a fixed CAD 1 million prize or a growing jackpot.
To determine the prize value, the lottery operator conducts a separate draw using a bag containing 30 balls. At the start of a jackpot cycle, the bag holds 29 white balls and 1 gold ball. The selection process works as follows:
- If a white ball is drawn, the ticket holder wins the guaranteed CAD 1 million prize. The drawn white ball is then discarded from the bag, and the Gold Ball jackpot increases by CAD 2 million for the next drawing.
- If the gold ball is drawn, the ticket holder wins the active Gold Ball jackpot, which begins at CAD 10 million and can rise to a maximum of CAD 68 million.
- Once the gold ball is selected, the jackpot resets to CAD 10 million, and all 30 balls return to the bag for the next drawing.
Lotto 6/49 prize tiers and odds of winning
The overall odds of winning any prize on a CAD 3 play are 1 in 6.6. These odds are calculated by combining the winning probabilities across all prize divisions of the Classic Draw. Prizes range from a Free Play ticket up to the fixed CAD 5 million jackpot.
The table below details the prize structure, matching criteria, and individual odds for the Classic Draw:
| Matched Numbers | Prize Description | Odds of Winning (per play) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 of 6 Main Numbers | Fixed CAD 5,000,000 Jackpot | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| 5 of 6 Main Numbers + Bonus Number | Share of 6% Pool Fund | 1 in 2,330,636 |
| 5 of 6 Main Numbers | Share of 5% Pool Fund | 1 in 55,492 |
| 4 of 6 Main Numbers | Share of 9.5% Pool Fund | 1 in 1,033 |
| 3 of 6 Main Numbers | Fixed CAD 10.00 | 1 in 56.7 |
| 2 of 6 Main Numbers + Bonus Number | Fixed CAD 5.00 | 1 in 81.2 |
| 2 of 6 Main Numbers | Free Play Ticket | 1 in 8.3 |
The Pool Fund represents the remaining prize money after deducting the fixed CAD 10, CAD 5, and Free Play prizes. If multiple players match the criteria for the pool-share tiers, the allocated percentage is divided equally among all winning tickets in that category. The Gold Ball Draw odds vary for each drawing because they depend on the exact number of tickets sold across the country.
How do you claim Lotto 6/49 prizes?
All winning tickets must be claimed within 12 months of the draw date. Unclaimed prizes are returned to the prize fund for future promotional draws. The claim procedure is determined by the prize amount and the location of purchase.
Prizes of CAD 1,000 or less can be claimed at any authorized lottery retailer in the province w ticket was purchased. The retailer will scan the ticket, verify the win, and pay out the cash prize directly, subject to available store funds. You must sign the back of your ticket before presenting it for validation.
For prizes between CAD 1,000.01 and CAD 9,999.99, players must submit a claim form to their regional lottery corporation. This claim can be processed by mail or through online portals provided by organizations such as the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) or Loto-Québec. Prizes exceeding CAD 10,000 require in-person validation at a designated prize center.
Lottery winnings are not subject to federal income tax within Canada. Non-resident players must follow the regulations of their home countries. International participants should consult a qualified tax advisor in their jurisdiction to determine local taxation liabilities.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Lotto 6/49 draw?
The drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday evening at approximately 10:30 PM Eastern Time. Ticket sales close at 10:30 PM Eastern Time on the night of the drawing, and any purchases made after this time apply to the next scheduled draw.
Are Canadian lottery winnings taxable?
Canadian residents do not pay tax on lottery prizes, as the Canadian government classifies lottery winnings as tax-free windfalls. International winners may be subject to tax laws in their home jurisdictions and should verify their local rules.
How do I check if I won Lotto 6/49?
You can check your ticket by scanning it at a retail terminal, using official provincial lottery mobile applications, or by comparing your ticket numbers against the official results in the Canada lottery results archive.
What happens if the Gold Ball jackpot is not won?
If the Gold Ball draw selects a white ball, the jackpot rolls over to the next drawing and increases by CAD 2 million. One white ball is permanently removed from the drawing machine, which increases the mathematical probability of the gold ball being drawn in the next round.
How to play Lotto 6/49 online
Residents of Canada can purchase tickets online through the official web portals of their regional lottery corporations. Players who reside outside of Canada can also participate in this game. Using a verified ticket messenger service makes it possible to buy lottery tickets online legally and securely from almost any country.
These specialized services employ local agents in Canada who purchase official paper tickets on your behalf. The physical ticket is scanned and uploaded directly to your private, encrypted online account. This digital record serves as proof of ownership and ensures that your ticket is kept in a secure vault.
To enter the next drawing from your home country, you can participate in Canada Lotto 6/49 online through our recommended partner platform. If your ticket wins a secondary prize, the platform will collect the funds and credit them directly to your account balance, while jackpot wins will require you to collect the physical ticket to present to Canadian lottery officials.
About our verification methodology
To maintain high standards of journalistic integrity, we verify all lottery numbers, draw times, and prize details using direct feeds from official provincial lottery organizations. Our strict how we verify lottery results policy guarantees that our readers receive accurate, authenticated data for every draw.
Play responsibly. Lottery games are for entertainment purposes only and should never be considered as a source of income or a financial investment. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please seek help: US: 1-800-522-4700 | UK: begambleaware.org | AU: gamblinghelponline.org.au
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