Canadian Lottery Games
Canada's national lottery games are managed by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC), with tickets sold through provincial operators such as OLG (Ontario), BCLC (British Columbia), and Loto-Québec.
Lotto Max
Tuesday & Friday
Up to $70M+
7 numbers from 1–50; $5 per play
Lotto 6/49
Wednesday & Saturday
$5M Classic + Gold Ball
6 numbers from 1–49; $3 per play
Daily Grand
Monday & Thursday
$1,000/day for life
5 numbers + Grand Number; $3 per play
Canadian Lottery Tax Rules
Under Section 40(2)(f) of the Income Tax Act, lottery winnings are explicitly excluded from taxable income. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) treats prizes as windfalls — not employment income, business income, or capital gains.
Key exception: Once your prize is invested, any returns are taxable. Interest income, dividends, and capital gains generated from invested lottery funds are all subject to standard CRA tax rates. If you share your winnings with family members, attribution rules may apply.
Non-resident winners may be subject to a 25% withholding tax under Part XIII of the Income Tax Act, depending on their home country's tax treaty with Canada.
Lotto Max vs Lotto 6/49 — Odds Comparison
| Game | Jackpot Odds | Any Prize Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Lotto Max | 1 in 33,294,800 | 1 in 7.1 |
| Lotto 6/49 | 1 in 13,983,816 | 1 in 6.6 |
How to Claim Canadian Lottery Prizes
- Up to $999.90: Claim at any authorized lottery retailer across Canada.
- $1,000 to $99,999.90: Claim at a regional lottery office or by mail with your signed ticket and a claim form.
- $100,000 and above: Claim in person at a provincial lottery office. You will need to present government-issued photo ID and complete an official prize claim form. No tax form is required since winnings are tax-free.
Prizes must be claimed within one year of the draw date.