Ontario Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49 players won more than $1 billion last year: OLG

A LOTTO MAX sign was photographed at Mr. Variety in Guelph on Dec. 11, 2024. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)

Last year was a lucky one for many in Ontario, as residents won more than $1.15 billion in Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 prizes, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) says.

“In the lottery business, numbers speak volumes and last year, Ontario lottery players made lots of noise with their wins,” the Crown corporation said in a release issued Tuesday.

Based on OLG’s data, Lotto Max players scored more money in 2024, winning roughly $911 million versus the $212 million that was won among Lotto 6/49 players. The prize money ranged anywhere from $2 to $80 million.

All together, there were about 69.8 million winning tickets sold across Ontario last year, 35.9 million of which were for Lotto Max, while 33.9 were Lotto 6/49.

Some Lotto Max players in Ontario clinched record-breaking jackpots last year too, the OLG said.

The biggest prize, worth $80 million, was split by two tickets sold in Owen Sound, Ont., and in Quebec.

Stephanie and Bryan Cantwell, a couple from Owen Sound, said then they want to make this wealth last for generations and do some good with their historic jackpot.

“We have always been generous people, and we dream of helping all the people we love,” she said.

There were also four $70-million tickets sold to Ontarians, including Doug and Enid Hannon of Lakefield, Ont., Kyle Murray and Jennifer Stuart-Flynn of Iroquois Falls, Ont., and Patricia Warden of Ottawa. There was also a winning ticket sold to one lucky Torontonian.

Further, a $65-million ticket was won in Etobicoke, a $55-million ticket in Milton, and a $20-million ticket in Hamilton. Two tickets, sold in Kingston and Brampton last year, also split a $25 million jackpot.

Combining all the major jackpot money, OLG says the 11 winning Lotto Max tickets sold in Ontario totalled $525 million. Additionally, 77 Maxmillions prizes worth $66 million were also won by players across the province.

Meanwhile, Lotto 6/49 players won a dozen classic jackpots – worth either $2.5 million or $5 million – for a grand total of $47.7 million.

The chance to win tens of millions continues into 2025, as Tuesday’s Lotto Max draw has $50 million on the line, plus an additional two $1 million in Maxmillions prizes.

Lotto 6/49 players can try their hand at winning $5 million in Wednesday’s classic jackpot along with the $18 million Gold Ball jackpot.

With files from CTV News Barrie’s Kim Phillips