Quick Answer: Lotto Max Canada is a national lottery with jackpots starting at $10 million and capping at $80 million. Tickets cost $5 for three lines of seven numbers. Draws happen every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 PM ET. You can play Lotto Max online at XO Lotto from anywhere in Canada — no retailer visit required. 19+. Please play responsibly.
This lottery holds the record for Canada’s largest lottery jackpots. The $80 million cap, plus MaxMillions prizes that stack on top, means total prize pools regularly exceed $100 million.
This guide covers everything: how the game works, what your real odds are, prize breakdowns, and how to play online. Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular player looking to buy tickets more conveniently, you’ll find what you need here.
How Lotto Max Works: The Basics
Lotto Max is a 7/50 lottery — you pick seven numbers from a pool of 50. Match all seven to the main draw and you win the jackpot.
Here’s the structure:
What You Get for $5:
- Three sets of seven numbers (three “lines” or “selections”)
- Each line is an independent chance to win
- You can Quick Pick (random) or choose your own numbers
Draw Schedule:
- Tuesday at 10:30 PM ET
- Friday at 10:30 PM ET
- Results posted immediately after on Lotto Max results
Jackpot Range:
- Starts at $10 million
- Grows until won, capping at $80 million
- When the main jackpot hits $50M+, MaxMillions prizes activate
What Are MaxMillions?
MaxMillions are bonus $1 million prizes that appear when the main jackpot reaches $50 million. They’re separate draws with their own winning numbers.
Example: If the jackpot is $70 million, there might be 30 MaxMillions prizes available — meaning $100 million total is up for grabs that night.
MaxMillions not won roll into the next draw. Some draws have accumulated 70+ MaxMillions prizes waiting to be claimed.
Lotto Max Canada: Prize Tiers and Payouts
Lotto Max has seven prize tiers. You don’t need all seven numbers to win — matching as few as three gets you a free play.
| Match | Prize | Odds (per $5 play) |
|---|---|---|
| 7/7 (Jackpot) | $10M – $80M | 1 in 33,294,800 |
| 6/7 + Bonus | $131,386* | 1 in 4,756,400 |
| 6/7 | $4,488* | 1 in 226,495 |
| 5/7 + Bonus | $692* | 1 in 75,498 |
| 5/7 | $73* | 1 in 3,594 |
| 4/7 + Bonus | $25* | 1 in 1,198 |
| 4/7 | $20 | 1 in 114 |
| 3/7 + Bonus | $20 | 1 in 76 |
| 3/7 | Free Play | 1 in 8.5 |
*Average prizes — actual amounts vary based on sales and winner pool splits.
Overall odds of winning any prize: 1 in 7
That means roughly one in seven tickets wins something, even if it’s just a free play. The odds noted above are per $5 ticket (which includes three lines), making your actual chances better than single-line lotteries.
Lotto Max Odds: Your Real Chances Explained
The jackpot odds — 1 in 33,294,800 — are steep. For context:
- You’re more likely to be struck by lightning twice in your lifetime
- You’d need to buy tickets for about 320,000 years (twice weekly) to expect one jackpot win statistically
But here’s the nuance:
Lotto Max gives you three lines per $5. Most lotteries charge $2-3 per single line. When you compare cost-per-chance, it’s actually good value for a major lottery.
Lotto Max vs Other Lottery Odds
| Lottery | Jackpot Odds | Ticket Cost | Lines per Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotto Max | 1 in 33.3M | $5 | 3 |
| Lotto 6/49 | 1 in 13.98M | $3 | 1 |
| Powerball | 1 in 292.2M | $2 USD | 1 |
| Mega Millions | 1 in 302.6M | $2 USD | 1 |
| EuroMillions | 1 in 139.8M | €2.50 | 1 |
Lotto Max has much better jackpot odds than US mega-lotteries. If you’re going to play, the math favours Canadian games.
For a deeper dive on which game makes sense for your play style, check our guide on best lottery odds in Canada once it’s live.
How to Play Lotto Max Online in Canada
Gone are the days of finding a retailer before the 10:30 PM cutoff. You can buy Lotto Max tickets online and play from your couch.
Option 1: Play at XO Lotto
XO Lotto lets Canadians buy Lotto Max entries online:
Step 1: Create your account (takes 2 minutes)
Step 2: Deposit funds via Interac e-Transfer — instant, no fees
Step 3: Go to Lotto Max, select your numbers or Quick Pick
Step 4: Confirm your entry — you’ll get email confirmation
Step 5: Check results after the draw
Why XO Lotto?
- Play from anywhere in Canada, 24/7
- Never miss the cutoff — buy tickets up until draw time
- Automatic win notifications — no unclaimed prizes
- CAD deposits and withdrawals via Interac
- Access to Powerball, Mega Millions, and international lotteries too
Option 2: Provincial Lottery Retailers
You can still buy paper tickets at authorized retailers (convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores) in your province. Cutoff is typically 10:15-10:30 PM on draw nights.
Option 3: Provincial Online Platforms
OLG (Ontario), PlayNow (BC), and other provincial sites offer online Lotto Max. However, you’re restricted to playing within your province’s platform.
Lotto Max vs Lotto 6/49: Which Should You Play?
Canada’s two national lotteries serve different players. Here’s how they compare:
| Feature | Lotto Max | Lotto 6/49 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 7 numbers from 50 | 6 numbers from 49 |
| Ticket Price | $5 | $3 |
| Lines per Ticket | 3 | 1 |
| Jackpot Start | $10 million | $5 million |
| Jackpot Cap | $80 million | Uncapped (record: $68M) |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 33.3M | 1 in 13.98M |
| Any Prize Odds | 1 in 7 | 1 in 6.6 |
| Draw Days | Tue & Fri | Wed & Sat |
| Bonus Feature | MaxMillions ($1M each) | Gold Ball (up to $68M) |
| Best For | Mega jackpot chasers | Better odds seekers |
The verdict:
- Want the biggest possible jackpot? Lotto Max is your game.
- Want better odds of winning the top prize? Lotto 6/49 offers 2.4x better jackpot odds.
- Want both? Play Lotto Max when jackpots exceed $50M (for MaxMillions value), and Lotto 6/49 as your regular game.
The Gold Ball feature in Lotto 6/49 adds another wrinkle — it’s worth learning how it affects your decision.
Lotto Max Strategies: What Actually Matters
What Doesn’t Work
“Hot” and “cold” numbers: Every draw is independent. The ball machine doesn’t remember what came up last week. A number that hasn’t appeared in 20 draws isn’t “due.”
Patterns and systems: Diagonal lines, birthdays-only, or mathematical sequences don’t improve your odds. The lottery doesn’t care about your pattern.
Buying more tickets than you can afford: This isn’t an investment. It’s entertainment. Never spend money needed for bills, rent, or essentials.
What Actually Helps
Join a pool: Office lottery pools let you buy more tickets without increasing individual spend. A 10-person pool buying $50 worth of tickets gives everyone 30 lines instead of 3.
Play consistently vs. chasing jackpots: Some players buy $50 worth when jackpots hit $70M, then nothing for months. Statistically, you’re better off playing $5 every draw than sporadic large purchases.
Avoid popular number combinations: This doesn’t improve your odds of winning — but it improves your odds of not splitting the jackpot if you do win. Numbers 1-31 (birthdays) are over-selected. Numbers above 31 are statistically under-chosen.
Set a budget: Decide what you’ll spend monthly on lottery entertainment. Stick to it. The moment it stops being fun, stop playing. XO Lotto has responsible gaming tools to help with limits.
How to Claim Lotto Max Winnings
Won something? Here’s what happens next.
Small Prizes ($1 – $999.90)
- Online (XO Lotto): Automatically credited to your account. Withdraw via Interac anytime.
- Paper ticket: Cash at any lottery retailer
Medium Prizes ($1,000 – $49,999.90)
- Online: Auto-credited, withdraw normally
- Paper ticket: Claim at lottery retail locations or mail to provincial lottery corporation
Large Prizes ($50,000+)
- Online: XO Lotto contacts you directly; may require identity verification before payout
- Paper ticket: Must claim in person at provincial lottery office; bring government ID
Jackpot and MaxMillions
For wins over $1 million:
- Sign the back of your ticket (if paper)
- Contact the lottery corporation directly (don’t show up unannounced)
- Consider consulting a lawyer and financial advisor before going public
- You typically have one year to claim from the draw date
Important: Don’t announce your win on social media before claiming. Don’t share photos of winning tickets. Protect yourself first.
For more on what happens after a big win, read our guide on how to claim lottery winnings in Canada.
Lotto Max Calculator: Check Your Odds and Costs
Use this calculator to see what you’re working with before you play.
🎰 Lotto Max Calculator
See your odds before you play
Your Play Summary
Example output for $20 spend (4 tickets, 1 draw):
Lotto Max Results: Where to Check Winning Numbers
After every Tuesday and Friday draw, results are posted around 11 PM ET.
Check results at:
- XO Lotto Lotto Max Results — updated automatically after each draw
- XO Lotto Lottery Results Hub — all lottery results in one place
- OLG.ca (Ontario) or your provincial lottery site
- Lottery terminals at retail locations
Pro tip: If you play online at XO Lotto, you'll receive an email notification for any wins. No need to check manually — and zero risk of an unclaimed prize.
For historical results and number frequency data, the Lotto Max info page has what you need.
Biggest Lotto Max Jackpots in Canadian History
The game has created some of Canada's largest lottery winners:
| Date | Jackpot | Winner Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2024 | $80 million | Ontario |
| Oct 2023 | $80 million | British Columbia |
| Jun 2023 | $80 million | Alberta |
| Apr 2023 | $80 million | Quebec |
| Jan 2023 | $70 million | Ontario |
The $80 million cap gets hit multiple times per year now. When you factor in MaxMillions, some draws exceed $140 million in total prizes.
Want to read winner stories? Check out biggest Canadian lottery winners and $80M Lotto Max winner stories.
Lotto Max Add-Ons: Extra and Encore
Most provinces offer add-on games you can play alongside Lotto Max:
Extra (Western Canada)
- Costs $1
- Four-digit number draw
- Match 2-4 digits for prizes up to $500,000
- Drawn with Lotto Max
Encore (Ontario)
- Costs $1
- Seven-digit number
- Match digits from right to left
- Top prize: $1,000,000
- Odds of any Encore prize: 1 in 9.2
These add-ons have better odds than the main Lotto Max jackpot, though smaller prizes. They add entertainment value for an extra dollar.
Play More Than Just Lotto Max
Lotto Max is Canada's flagship lottery, but XO Lotto gives you access to more options:
Canadian Lotteries:
- Lotto 6/49 — Better jackpot odds, Gold Ball bonus
- Daily Grand — $1,000/day for life top prize
International Lotteries:
- Powerball — US mega-lottery, jackpots often exceed $500M USD
- Mega Millions — Record $1.537 billion jackpot
- EuroMillions — Europe's biggest lottery, €250M cap
Instant Win Games:
- Online Scratch Cards — Hundreds of games, better odds than paper
- Keno — Draws every few minutes
- Fast Games — Plinko, Mines, and more
New to XO Lotto? Grab 50 free scratch cards with no deposit while you explore.
Ready to Play Lotto Max?
You've got the full picture now — how it works, what your odds are, and where to play.
Next steps:
- Create your XO Lotto account (2 minutes)
- Deposit via Interac — instant, no fees
- Buy your Lotto Max tickets before the next draw
- Check results Tuesday or Friday night
Questions? Customer support is available to help.
Follow XO Lotto on Facebook, Instagram, and X for jackpot alerts and draw reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play Lotto Max in Canada?
Pick seven numbers from 1-50, or use Quick Pick for random selections. Each $5 ticket gives you three lines. Draws happen Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 PM ET. Match all seven numbers to win the jackpot. You can play Lotto Max online at XO Lotto or buy paper tickets at retailers.
What are the odds of winning Lotto Max?
The jackpot odds are 1 in 33,294,800 per $5 ticket (which includes three lines). Your odds of winning any prize — including free plays — are about 1 in 7. Those are significantly better than Powerball (1 in 292 million) or Mega Millions (1 in 302 million).
How much does Lotto Max cost?
Lotto Max tickets cost $5 each. Every ticket includes three sets of seven numbers, giving you three independent chances to win per ticket. Add-ons like Extra or Encore cost an additional $1.
What is the Lotto Max jackpot cap?
The Lotto Max jackpot caps at $80 million. Once it reaches that limit, additional prize money goes into MaxMillions — separate $1 million prizes with their own winning numbers. Some draws have 50+ MaxMillions available.
Can I buy Lotto Max tickets online?
Yes. Canadians 19+ can buy Lotto Max online at XO Lotto. Create an account, deposit via Interac, select your numbers, and you're set. No retailer visit needed.
When are Lotto Max draws?
Lotto Max draws happen every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 PM ET. Results are posted shortly after on XO Lotto's results page and provincial lottery sites.
What's the difference between Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49?
Lotto Max costs $5 for three lines with 1 in 33.3M jackpot odds. Lotto 6/49 costs $3 for one line with 1 in 13.98M odds. Lotto Max has higher jackpots ($80M cap); Lotto 6/49 has better odds. Choose based on whether you prioritize jackpot size or winning probability.
How do I claim Lotto Max winnings?
If you play online at XO Lotto, winnings are automatically credited to your account — withdraw via Interac anytime.
Related Guides
- Lotto MAX Jackpots: 10 Outrageous Ways Canadians Would Spend $75 Million
- Scratch Cards Online Canada
- Daily Keno: How to Play
Play responsibly. 19+ only. Lottery is entertainment, not investment. Set limits and stick to them. Visit Responsible Gaming for support tools.