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Ontario Lottery News

Since LOTTO 6/49 was launched in June 1982, Ontario players have won more than $6.8 billion in prizes including more than 1,020 jackpot wins.

According to Teresa Roncon, ex-CITY TV reporter and currently the manager of public relations for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, about half of all lottery ticket sales take place on the day of the draw. When there's a substantial jackpot, about half that total usually comes in between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m., when the terminals are shut down.

As of March 3, 2004, Ontario players have won more than $6.2 billion in Lotto 6/49 prizes including more than 980 jackpot wins.

During fiscal 2001/02, the OLGC made available $1.05 billion in cash winnings on $2.11 billion in lottery sales. Ontario represents 38% of the lottery population but accounts for 45% of the tickets sold for the nationwide lotteries. 72% of Ontario lottery players play Quick Picks.

According to the OLGC, at least 3% of prize money or $33 million is unclaimed annually. The vast majority of those are small prizes and some may also be on scratch tickets that weren't sold.


An article in Canadian Business claims that the Ontario Lottery Corporation are spoil sports when it comes to their sports lotteries.


The Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline number is 1-888-230-3505. The Helpline is confidential, anonymous, free, and open 24 hours.


Beginning Monday, April 5, 1999, Pick-3 and Daily Keno draws will be held an hour later. Therefore, the winning numbers will be disseminated at 9:30 p.m. instead of the current 8:30 p.m. 


Starting on March 1, 1999, lotteries in Ontario can be bought from 6 AM 
to midnight, seven days a week.  On draw nights, the lottery sales close at
draw time and are available at the next day.

ONTARIO LOTTERY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO MAJOR PRIZE CLAIMING PROCEDURES

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont., Aug. 21, 1998 - Ontario Lottery Corporation (OLC) is increasing the dollar amount that defines a major lottery prize from $10,000 to $50,000. As of August 31, 1998 winners can send in their tickets for prizes of less than $50,000. The change will mean fewer winners having to travel to claim their prizes, and reduced operating costs for the Corporation. OLC requires major prizes to be claimed in person to ensure integrity and security.

Major prizes must be claimed at the OLC's Prize Office in Toronto, also effective August 31, 1998. The in-person service will no longer be available in Sault Ste. Marie as that office will now be responsible for all mailed-in prize claims from across the province. The Sault prize office was handling, on average, only nine winners a day, and many of those winners could have sent in their tickets or claimed their prizes at a lottery retailer.

The $10,000 major prize level dates back to the start of Ontario Lottery Corporation in 1975. In the last 20 years, lottery players from every corner of the province have shared more than $9 billion in prizes. Last year OLC games paid more than $1 billion in prizes and contributed $712 million to the province. 1,323 prizes of $10,000 or more were claimed, which included 685 prizes of $50,000 or more.

The Ontario Lottery Corporation is a Crown corporation responsible for operating lottery games in Ontario. It is a provincial offence, punishable by fines, to sell OLC lottery tickets to anyone under 18 years of age.


Players have one year to claim their prizes. Unclaimed prize money is returned to lottery players in the form of additional prizes as part of special promotions and bonus draws.

More than half the adults in Ontario play OLC games. For every $1 spent on a lottery ticket, approximately 50 cents is awarded in cash prizes.


Results in Lottery Buddy ® are unofficial. [Top of page]