Canada is home to a number of renowned lottery games. Some of these include the Lottario, the Ontario 49, the Lotto 6/49 and the Lotto Max. These are but a few of the lottery games which operate in Canada. It is no surprise that Canada has many lotteries since lotteries are not only the fastest means of creating millionaires but also play a major part in the socio-economic development of any country. Generally, a portion of proceeds from lottery games in most countries go to support charitable causes and social welfare projects in addition to the sizeable taxes and lottery duties paid to the government.
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| Canada Lotto Max |
The Lotto Max created on the 19th September, 2009 is one of such lottery games. Owned and operated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, the Lotto Max is one of Canada’s flagship lotteries and one of her three national lottery games. The Lotto Max was created to replace the Super7 lottery and as expected, its success in its first ten months outdid Super 7’s years of operation. The success of the Lotto Max can be attributed to the large size of its prize pool and its MaxMillions system which players perceive to increase the probability of winning a major prize. The first draw of the Lotto Max took place on the 25th September, 2009.
Playing the Lotto Max
The Lotto Max follows the same 7/49 matrix like the Super7, its predecessor. With this format of play, players are expected to choose seven numbers from a field containing 49 numbers which span from 1 to 49. Each play (board) costs $5, with each purchased board consisting of two additional quick picks.
Players can choose to pick their own lotto numbers by marking their seven numbers on the Lotto Max Selection Slip. Each set of numbers played comes with two additional sets of random numbers generated by the terminal. Each player is allowed a maximum of five plays per ticket. Players can also check the Quick Pick box on their selection slip or ask the lottery retailer for a Quick Pick which allows the system to automatically pick random numbers for them. Players can also play their selected numbers for more than one draw. This option is known as the “Advanced Play” and can be played by marking their numbers in the Advance Play Box.
Another method of play is the Group Play which allows players to play as a group to increase their chances of winning. It is very fun and popular method of play which allows players to pool their funds and increase their odds of winning. Family, friends, co-workers and teammates can play as a group by simply choosing one person to act as group captain. This person is in charge of recording group participation and providing members with up-to-date information regarding jackpot amounts, cost per play, and draw dates among others. Lotto Max also provides Group Captains with Online Tools to help them better manage their groups. When the group ticket is purchased, the group captain signs the ticket and writes “In Trust” near the signature to show that the ticket is a Group Ticket. Also, a copy of the ticket should be uploaded for all members to see. It is should be noted that a group ticket is considered void if a lottery retailer or someone who handles lottery tickets is a member of the group.
Other play options include the Encore which is a bonus game that offers players a chance to win a $1 million cash prize for an additional $1. Prizes start at $2 and provides players with 22 methods of winning. Players can also choose to use the Combination Play option which gives players the chance to play eight or nine numbers instead of seven which are arranged in multiple combinations of seven numbers to increase their odds of winning.
Winnings and Prizes
The draws for the Lotto Max take place once every week on Friday. During the drawing, seven balls are drawn from a single drum containing the 49 balls. Again, an additional ball known as the Bonus ball is drawn. This Bonus ball plays a part in determining the winners of the second and sixth prizes. The jackpot is the first prize won by matching all seven main balls. The Lotto Max jackpot starts at $10 million. When the jackpot is not won, it is rolled over and added to the next jackpot amount. Once the jackpot reaches $50 million, additional draws are held to win supplementary prizes of $1 million each known as “MaxMillions” prizes. In the event that a “MaxMillion” prize is not won, it is rolled over until it is won. MaxMillion prizes are given out every time a Lotto Max jackpot reaches $50 million. The MaxMillions prize is won by hitting all seven main numbers just like the Lotto Max jackpot.
Apart from the jackpot, other prizes exist for those who are able to match between 3 and 6 of the main balls. The second and sixth prizes are won when 6 and 3 numbers respectively plus the Bonus Number are matched. The amount for each of the prizes increase depending on how many numbers are matched. The last prize which is a Free Play is won when a player matches 3 of the 7 main numbers. The odds of winning this prize stands at 1 in 8.4 while the odds of winning the Lotto Max jackpot stand at 1 in 28.6 million. For a lottery game with a minimum jackpot amount of $10 million, the odds are pretty impressive.
The Lotto Max jackpot is currently capped at $60 million, a $10 million step-up from $50 million which was the initial cap until the 17th July, 2015. When a jackpot is won, the MaxMillion prizes which have not been claimed are added to the main $10 million jackpot for the next draw. Lotto Max winners receive their prizes as tax-free cash lump sums.
Record Jackpot Amounts
The highest Lotto Max jackpot amount ever recorded was won by a single ticket purchased in Brampton, Ontario on the 25th September 2015. The amount won by this winning ticket was $60 million. The second largest jackpot was won by a syndicate of 20 Rona store employees in the province of Quebec. Won on the 17th July 2015, this record jackpot amount was a whopping $55 million and coincidentally, this was the first draw held under the new rules which allowed the Lotto Max jackpot to exceed $50 million.
