Millionaire
Canadian Lotto 6/49
Lottery Overview & Statistics
Canadian Lotto 6/49 is operated by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) and is Canada's flagship national lottery product, launching in 1982 as the first nationwide lottery in North America to allow players to choose their own numbers. The game uses a 6/49 matrix with a bonus number, producing jackpot odds of 1 in 13,983,816.
The game underwent a significant structural change in 2019, introducing a two-component prize structure: the Classic Draw (traditional 6/49 with guaranteed $5 million jackpot) and the Gold Ball Draw (a supplementary jackpot pool that accumulates across draws). The Gold Ball jackpot has no cap and has exceeded $70 million CAD.
Canadian Lotto 6/49 is administered by provincial lottery corporations and is available in all Canadian provinces and territories. It is also accessible internationally through authorised ticket intermediaries.
Game Format & Rules
Players select 6 numbers from 1-49. One bonus number is drawn from the remaining pool. The Classic Draw offers six prize divisions. Division 1 (6/6): jackpot. Division 2 (5/6 + bonus): second prize. Division 3 (5/6): third prize. Divisions 4-6 cover 4/6, 3/6, and 2/6 + bonus respectively.
The Gold Ball Draw uses a separate draw mechanic: one numbered Gold Ball is drawn from a pool that grows by 10 each draw (starting at 10, increasing each draw without a winner). The Gold Ball jackpot is won by matching the specific Gold Ball number drawn.
Each ticket includes a 10-digit Encore number for an additional daily draw with a top prize of $1 million CAD. Tickets cost $3 CAD for a standard Quick Pick entry or custom selection.
Prize Structure & Odds Analysis
Classic Draw prize structure: Division 1 (6/6): guaranteed minimum $5M CAD jackpot, rolls over when unwon. Division 2 (5/6 + bonus): approximately $100,000 CAD fixed prize. Division 3 (5/6): approximately $2,000 CAD. Division 4 (4/6): approximately $90 CAD. Division 5 (3/6 + bonus): $20 CAD. Division 6 (2/6 + bonus): $5 CAD.
The Gold Ball jackpot starts at $1 million CAD and increases with each draw where no Gold Ball winner is drawn. The Gold Ball pool increases by 10 numbered balls per draw; as the pool grows, individual winning odds decrease while the prize grows.
Encore prizes range from $2 to $1,000,000 CAD. Total payout across all divisions is approximately 47% of ticket revenue. Canadian lottery prizes are not subject to federal income tax for Canadian residents.
Draw Schedule & Deadlines
Canadian Lotto 6/49 draws are conducted every Wednesday and Saturday. Draw times are at approximately 22:30 ET (Eastern Time), with results available nationwide immediately following. The Encore draw is conducted simultaneously.
Ticket purchase deadlines vary by province and retail channel but are typically set at 21:30 ET on draw nights. Online platform deadlines may differ; players should confirm the cutoff displayed at point of purchase.
Results are published on the OLG, BCLC, and other provincial lottery corporation websites, as well as affiliated platforms, immediately following each draw.
Cryptocurrency Ticket Purchases
Canadian Lotto 6/49 tickets are available for purchase on this platform using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and other supported cryptocurrencies. Purchases cover the full Classic Draw, Gold Ball Draw, and Encore components of each ticket.
Crypto deposits credit after blockchain confirmation. Ticket purchases deduct from the confirmed balance at the current platform rate. All prize tiers, including Classic jackpot, Gold Ball jackpot, and Encore prizes, are credited to the platform account.
Withdrawals of winnings are available in any supported cryptocurrency. The platform operates as an authorised international ticket intermediary with full transaction record keeping.
