Author: Ryan Wilson
Modified: 2019-09-17

Online Lottery In Canada

Most Canadians dream of a big win on the online lottery in Canada, and we spend more than 10.5 billion Canadian dollars every year trying to make that dream a reality. Offline and online lotteries in Canada offer a vast, exciting market with numerous affordable options available.
Many Canadians who took the chance are now millionaires or have won large amounts of money. Of course, there are no guarantees but its fast, easy and tremendous fun!

The Best Online Lotteries In Canada

There are many different options, run by several regional corporations, including Loto-Québec, Ontario Lottery Corporation, Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Western Canada Lottery Corporation and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Each of these has sole control over its own lotteries, but there are also well-known online lotteries in Canada which take place on a national scale under the jurisdiction of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. 
Best online lotteries in Canada
The best and most famous online lotteries in Canada are the four major national lotteries. These are Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, Max Millions and, of course, Daily Grand. Another prime choice for Canadians is the Ontario Lottario. All of these offer some great odds and some breathtaking jackpot amounts. The U.S. Powerball Lottery is a top choice for many too, but it’s always best to check with your state lottery corporations to ensure you can collect your winnings! 

The Most Popular Lotteries In Canada

All these pan Canadian lotteries are extremely popular amongst residents, and across the world, because of their potential. Canada’s single most popular lottery game is Lotto 6/49, which is run by the ILC (Interprovincial Lottery Corporation). It starts with a hefty $3.5 million jackpot, and when nobody wins, prizes roll over producing some hugely generous payouts.

Buying Lottery Tickets Online In Canada

With the dramatic developments in technology came the advent of the internet and the ability for online lottery sales. Excellent news for the betting and lottery community, this means that global players can place bets online for a whole variety of online lotteries in Canada. It’s a fast and easy process that is just like playing the land-based Canadian lotteries.

Where To Buy Lottery Tickets Online

There are multiple lottery websites available where you can purchase your lottery tickets online, including provincial sites like OLG, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. You simply need to find a reputable service, register, then choose the Lotto variety that you want to play. Some of the most reliable and safe sites are Canada Lottery Online, Lotter, Lottoland and Giant Lottos. You can also find some great bundles and discounts when buying tickets for your online lottery in Canada.

How To Purchase Your Lottery Tickets Online

Rules for the online lottery in Canada are the same as the traditional game, you are just opting to make your purchase online. Choose your lucky numbers, the number of draws and your draw date. If you want, select the Quick Pick feature which randomly selects your numbers for you, then confirm, and make your payment. You will be notified by email when the draw is completed and if you have won any money! The service will claim any prizes for you and credit the cash to your account. If you get fortunate and win a jackpot, you can claim your prize as either annuity payments or a lump sum.

Choosing Which Lottery To Play

Not all online lotteries in Canada are created equal so choosing your favourite will depend on your personal preference. Some offer massive multi-million jackpots, and others have smaller top prizes, some roll over for weeks and others seem easier to win. Some even offer guaranteed jackpots.
You can select a different amount of numbers, and there are different formulas for secondary prizes too. So, take your time when trying to decide which online lottery in Canada provides the best chance of winning a prize or the one that suits you best.
Choosing the right online lottery

Size Of The Jackpot

Generally, most Canadians are swayed by the size of the lottery jackpot. However, be aware that the larger the jackpot, the lower your chances are of actually winning it. Lotto is usually the best odds, and you are choosing 6 numbers between 0-47 or 0-49. However, it is not just the jackpot odds that are important as you need to take into consideration the lottery odds too. Understanding how these odds work, and the difference between them can help you to decide which online lottery in Canada to play. 

Odds And Chances Of Winning

The overall lottery odds refer to the chances of winning any lottery prize, so these are significant figures. These odds are based on a set of formulas which work out your chances of matching the set of numbers drawn. So, these are also affected by how many numbers you can choose from, how many are selected during each draw, and whether there is a ‘Powerball’ included. It’s important to consider your strategy, think about the prize tiers offered and not to rule out the smaller, lucrative online lotteries in Canada.

Instant Win Game Or Number Draw

While these exciting number draws can result in life-changing amounts of money, you have probably realized that the odds can be low. Many players like the thrill of the ‘instant win’ variants, which consists of things like scratch cards and interactive games. Here, the payouts are based on predetermined results when you purchase the product. The prizes for these ‘instant win’ games vary from provider to provider and also depends on the format, but they are fixed amounts, and they can be very lucrative. 

Lottery Games Available Online

Today, new lottery games are being created regularly to keep players thoroughly entertained. However, the well-loved and eternally popular online lottery in Canada games like Instant Games, Lotto, Little Lottos, Multi-State Games and Dailies remain.
Another hugely popular option for Canadians, and players globally, is the Powerball. Here, you choose one red Powerball from 1 to 6, and 5 white balls from 1 to 69.
These lottery tickets can be a little bit more expensive, but the jackpot typically starts at $10 million and matching the 5 white balls will win you $1 million. With rollovers, the Powerball jackpot has been known to reach as high as $1.58 billion! 

Regional And National

As the online lotteries in Canada are operated by a consortium of the five regional lotteries, you have many options open to you. You can choose to play with your regional lottery provider, as each of these has different lotteries on offer. Alternatively, you can opt for one of the national lotteries like Lotto 6/49. The tickets can be purchased from the separate providers, but the game is ultimately under the regulation of the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The choice of online lottery in Canada is yours!

Overseas Lottos Through Concierge Services

Online concierge services mean that Canadian players can now enter and enjoy the variety of overseas lotteries. These lottery concierges, like TheLotter, have offices in various countries so they can purchase lottery tickets on your behalf. It gives you the major benefit of gaining access to a whole host of amazing foreign lotteries with hugely tempting payouts and jackpots.

Playing Online Lotteries For Free

Yes, it’s true - Canadians can even play lotteries for free! All you have to do is to sign up, and you will receive two free draws every day and the chance to win some spectacular prizes. The prizes are paid for by advertising and other services offered on the website, so no fee is required to cover the winnings, and there are no catches! If you want the chance of these daily and weekly draws, then just search for a reputable online lottery in Canada website like Free-Lottery and enjoy!


While this may seem like breaking news to lottery players, these types of free game offers are nothing new to casino players. Since online casino bonuses play a major role in many casino's promotional efforts, they now come in many different variants and forms. 

Canadian Lottery Commissions

Online lotteries in Canada are regulated and governed by the 5 different lottery corporations in each region. These corporations individually have their own rules and control the workings of the Canadian lotteries available in their particular area.
As a group, they combine to form the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation, which is responsible for the uber-popular national lotteries like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max.
the five canadian lottery commissions

Loto-Québec

The Loto-Québec was formed in 1969 and was Canada’s very first lottery corporation. Like many other local corporations, Loto-Québec also has the added responsibility of iGaming through its subsidiary Société des casinos du Québec. This was formed in 1992 to develop, control and manage the online casinos which are authorized by the government. Loto-Québec net revenue is turned over to the government, where the funds are utilized for health and education, infrastructure and debt reduction in the province.

Atlantic Lottery Corporation

The Atlantic Lottery Corporation, currently operates lottery games in Atlantic Canada, owned jointly by four provincial governments of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The corporation also offers lottery games alongside online games, such as Pick'n Click, iBingo, and pro-line games for sports from hockey and football to basketball and baseball.

Ontario Lottery Corporation

The Government of Ontario is the single shareholder in OLG, which reports via its Board of Directors directly to the Minister of Finance. OLG’s first lottery was launched in 1975, and ever since then, they have been providing lottery games. Committed to developing a world-class gaming experience for customers, they also provide a variety of gaming entertainment, helping to fund projects in the province and local communities.

Western Canada Lottery Corporation

WCLC, The Western Canada Lottery Corporation was founded in 1974 and is a non-profit organization. The group’s very first game then was a $2.50 ticket, and now it operates not just the lotteries, but also gaming-related activities. Net revenue is returned to its members, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, with associate members from Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

British Columbia Lottery Corporation

BCLC initially introduced online gaming in 2004 with PlayNow.com. Today, it offers a full range of gaming including lotteries, online casinos and sports betting. Its website was the very first in Canada to provide a full selection of casino games, Roulette, Blackjack and slots. In 2011, BCLC partnered with Loto-Quebec to launch an online Poker network. Net revenue is shared among different programs and beneficiaries in British Columbia.

History Of Lottery In Canada

Online lotteries in Canada have quite a short history which began in 1973. The Western Canada Lottery Foundation was originally established by BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the following year.
When the Olympic (1976) Act was passed, the Organizing Committee for the 1976 Olympic Games was authorized to run a lottery. Its purpose was to help raise money for the Montreal Olympic Games, and they were able to sell the lottery tickets in any Canadian province if the individual governments agreed. So, shortly after during 1976, the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation was born.

FAQ About Online Lottery In Canada

Which lottery has the best odds in Canada?

The national Lotto 6/49 has the best Canadian lottery odds of 1 in 14 million.

Will my lottery winnings be taxed?

No, your lottery winnings will not be taxed in Canada, due to the Canada Revenue Agency windfall rules. These state that Canadians are not required to declare winnings or pay any tax on them.

What is the legal minimum age for playing the lottery in Canada?

The legal minimum age for gambling in most Canadian provinces is 18. However, there are provinces in which this minimum age is 19. This applies to both the offline and online lottery in Canada. 

Is it possible to stay anonymous after winning the lottery in Canada?

Each province in Canada has its own lottery rules, although they are all similar so you will need to check. For instance, a couple from B.C. who won $50 million were unsuccessful in the fight to remain anonymous.

What happens if you end up winning the lottery while separated?

There is not a great deal you can do to protect your online lottery in Canada winnings if you become separated or divorced. In Canada, lottery winnings are considered to be a ‘windfall,’ so any disputes are not straightforward. There is no standard procedure for anyone to refer to.
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