Starting April 14, 2024, Lotto Max players in Canada will see a significant change in ticket pricing and game format. The cost of a Lotto Max ticket will increase from $5 to $6, marking the first price hike since the lottery was introduced in 2009. This announcement comes from Loto-Québec spokesperson Renaud Dugas.
Key Changes to Lotto Max
With the new price, several enhancements to the game will be implemented:
- The jackpot will increase from $80 million to $90 million.
- Players will now select four sets of seven numbers, up from three.
- The range of selectable numbers will expand from 1-50 to 1-52.
This format change will improve players’ chances of purchasing a winning ticket, reducing the odds from 1 in 7 to 1 in 5.8. However, the odds of winning the jackpot will remain unchanged at 1 in 33 million.
Introduction of Maxplus Prizes
In addition to the jackpot modifications, Loto-Québec is introducing Maxplus prizes. These will be similar to the previous Maxmillions, where $100,000 prizes will be available based on the jackpot amount. For instance:
| Jackpot Amount | Maxplus Prize Draws |
|---|---|
| $10 million | 10 additional prizes of $100,000 |
| $90 million | 90 additional prizes of $100,000 |
A Brief History of Lotto Max
The Lotto Max lottery made its debut on September 25, 2009, as a replacement for the previous Lotto Super 7, which failed to meet the desired goals. Inspired by the U.S. Powerball, Lotto Max was designed to offer attractive jackpots. Initially, players could win a maximum jackpot of $50 million.
Since its launch, Lotto Max has become a significant source of winnings in Quebec. Notably, the largest recorded Lotto Max jackpot reached $70 million on June 18, 2021, alongside 70 Maxmillions prizes, bringing the total potential winnings to $140 million.
Winning Statistics in Quebec
- Since 2009, Quebec players have won over $4 billion from Lotto Max.
- The $80 million jackpot has been won twice, with half awarded to winners in Quebec.
- Overall, a total of 50 jackpots have been claimed in Quebec, including three at $50 million.
- Quebec players have won 254 Maxmillions prizes of $1 million each.
As these changes take effect next week, players should prepare for an evolved Lotto Max experience that promises bigger jackpots and additional winning opportunities. The transition to new rules reflects Lotto-Québec’s commitment to maintaining excitement and engagement among lottery enthusiasts across the country.
