Canada Lotto, officially operated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC), is a premier national lottery game requiring players to select six numbers from a pool of 1 to 49. Drawings occur twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, featuring a Classic Draw alongside a Gold Ball Draw. Players can participate locally in Canada or securely access tickets online from international locations.
How Canada Lotto works
The Canada Lotto format consists of two distinct games on a single ticket: the Classic Draw and the Gold Ball Draw. In the Classic Draw, six winning numbers and one bonus ball are drawn from a 1-to-49 matrix. The Gold Ball Draw is a raffle-style game that guarantees one winner of either a CAD $1 million prize or a rolling jackpot that starts at CAD $10 million.
| Pick Range | Bonus Ball | Draw Days | Jackpot Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 numbers from 1–49 | 1 Bonus Ball (determines secondary prize tiers) | Every Wednesday and Saturday | 1 in 13,983,816 (Classic Draw) |
Prize divisions
The game structure offers four distinct Classic Draw prize divisions in addition to the separate Gold Ball jackpot. This dual-draw format provides multiple pathways to win different prize tiers during every drawing.
| Division | Match | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Ball Jackpot | Guaranteed Draw Selection (10-digit number) | Dependent on total tickets sold |
| Classic Division 1 (Jackpot) | Match 6 of 6 main numbers | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| Classic Division 2 | Match 5 of 6 main numbers + Bonus Ball | Varies by draw pool |
| Classic Division 3 | Match 5 of 6 main numbers | Varies by draw pool |
| Classic Division 4 | Match 4 of 6 main numbers | Varies by draw pool |
How to play Canada Lotto online
International participants can play Canada Lotto through online lottery courier services, which purchase official tickets on behalf of players worldwide. The process allows you to participate securely using any web-enabled device.
- Register an account on a reputable online lottery messenger service.
- Select six numbers from the 1–49 pool or use the quick-pick option for automated selection.
- A local representative purchases the physical ticket from an authorized retailer in Canada.
- A scanned copy of the ticket is uploaded to your secure online account prior to the draw.
To enter the next scheduled draw, you can buy Canada Lotto tickets online via TheLotter.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Canada Lotto draws take place?
Canada Lotto draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday night.
What is the minimum jackpot for the Classic Draw?
The Classic Draw jackpot is fixed at a guaranteed minimum of CAD $5 million for every draw.
Who is the official operator of Canada Lotto?
The game is officially managed and operated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) of Canada.
What are the odds of winning the Classic Draw jackpot?
The exact odds of matching all six main numbers to win the Classic Draw jackpot are 1 in 13,983,816.
Please gamble responsibly. Lotteries are recreational games of chance and do not offer guaranteed financial returns. If you experience indicators of compulsive behavior, contact a local support service to access responsible gaming advice.