LOTTO MAX FAQ
- What is LOTTO MAX?
- How is LOTTO MAX played and how much does it cost?
- Why can't players choose all three sets of numbers? Can players elsewhere choose all their own numbers?
- When can I get my winning numbers and when can I get paid at the corner store?
- Why are the Main Draw winning numbers released at a later time when MAXMILLIONS Draws are held?
- Will any numbers or whole sets of numbers be duplicated on the same $5 plays with the Quick Pick selections?
- How big will the LOTTO MAX Jackpots be, and how often?
- Are Jackpots guaranteed to always start at $10 million?
- Will the Jackpot ever get bigger than $50 million?
- Will there be MAXMILLIONS offered at the launch of LOTTO MAX?
- What other prizes are available?
- What are the odds of winning?
- What is the prize payout on this game?
- When will sales start for the new game, and when will the first draw be held? How are numbers drawn?
- Are Quick Picks available? Are Quick Picks available for all three selections?
- Are multi-draw/advanced play tickets available?
- Are combination play tickets available?
- Is there a subscription service for LOTTO MAX?
- How will the MAXMILLIONS Draws work? How many extra prizes will there be and how often?
- Will the additional draws always be for $1 million? What happens if the ticket sales don't provide enough money for additional prizes of $1 million?
- Can the actual number of MAXMILLIONS prizes drawn vary from the estimated number of prizes?
- What happens when a MAXMILLIONS prize isn't won?
- What does the
symbol stand for?
- What happens if more than one ticket wins on a MAXMILLIONS Draw? Is each ticket worth $1 million or a share of $1 million?
- How often will the MAXMILLIONS Draws and the extra prizes of $1 million be offered?
- How many additional prizes of $1 million will be available with the MAXMILLIONS Draws?
- How will the LOTTO MAX draws be conducted?
- Why will the MAXMILLIONS Draws be conducted using a random number generator (RNG) instead of using the same ball machine method that will be used for the main draw?
- Is this RNG draw process used for any other games?
- Is a random number generator as random as using traditional ball-drop draws?
- A random number generator is a type of computer program, so what's to prevent someone from manipulating that program to fix a draw to ensure a specific ticket wins?
- How are people supposed to know that you're using a different method to draw the MAXMILLIONS prizes instead of using a ball machine?
- Are the LOTTO MAX balls the same as those used for LOTTO 6/49 or other games? Is there any testing done to protect against the balls being altered to affect the outcome of a draw?
- What organization audits the LOTTO MAX draws?
1. What is LOTTO MAX?
LOTTO MAX is an exciting new way to play for big Jackpots. It's Canada's first new, national, weekly, big Jackpot game in 15 years, and it's unlike anything we've offered before.
- LOTTO MAX is the result of more than two years of research into what lottery players want, including a wider sharing of Jackpot prize money.
- For the first time ever a Canadian lottery will offer a big Jackpot game where, after the Jackpot reaches $50 million, the game will then offer additional prizes of $1 million each instead of continuing to grow the Jackpot.
- These additional draws and prizes will be known as MAXMILLIONS, a quick and easy identifier to let customers know that the Jackpot has reached $50 million and that additional prizes of $1 million are available.
2. How is LOTTO MAX played and how much does it cost?
LOTTO MAX is a weekly draw that will take place every Friday. Sales will end at 9 p.m. EST. The cost is $5 for three sets of seven numbers ranging from 1 to 49. Players can choose the first set of seven numbers, with Quick Picks providing the other two sets of numbers, or players can choose to have all three sets selected by Quick Picks (a maximum of three Quick Picks per $5 play).
3. Why can't players choose all three sets of numbers? Can players elsewhere choose all their own numbers?
Across Canada, LOTTO MAX players will be able to select the first set of seven numbers with the other two sets generated by Quick Picks. The majority of sales for other lottery brands are Quick Picks. While some players may prefer to pick all their numbers, consumer research indicates that most people have one set of numbers they want to play, but not three sets.
4. When can I get my winning numbers and when can I get paid at the corner store?
As the Jackpot grows to $50 million, the results should be available in the same time frame as LOTTO 6/49. However, once we enter MAXMILLIONS mode, it will take longer to conduct the additional draws, and it may be early mid-morning on Saturday before winning numbers and prize redemption information is available.
5. Why are the Main Draw winning numbers released at a later time when MAXMILLIONS Draws are held?
When MAXMILLIONS Draws are held, the Main Draw winning numbers are released at the same time as the MAXMILLIONS $1 million Draw winning numbers to ensure consumers do not accidentally throw away their tickets before the MAXMILLIONS Draw winning numbers are released. Consumers may not always be aware that additional MAXMILLIONS Draws are taking place; therefore all winning numbers will be released together whenever MAXMILLIONS Draws are held.
6. Will any numbers or whole sets of numbers be duplicated on the same $5 plays with the Quick Pick selections?
Whole sets/selections of seven numbers will not be repeated within the three selections provided with each $5 play. Individual numbers may be included more than once across the three sets of seven numbers.
7. How big will the LOTTO MAX Jackpots be and how often?
LOTTO MAX Jackpots will begin at $10 million, and if not won, will grow until reaching $50 million.
After the Jackpot reaches $50 million, LOTTO MAX will offer additional draws for prizes of $1 million each. These $1 million draws are known as MAXMILLIONS Draws, and we estimate that LOTTO MAX will offer MAXMILLIONS prizes on approximately five or more LOTTO MAX draws a year.
8. Are Jackpots guaranteed to always start at $10 million?
LOTTO MAX Jackpots will start at $10 million. Based on customer research, we expect that sales across Canada will be strong enough to maintain a $10 million base Jackpot. However the success of the product will determine if the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) needs to make changes including raising or lowering any estimated base Jackpot levels.
9. Will the Jackpot ever get bigger than $50 million?
After the main Jackpot reaches $50 million, LOTTO MAX will offer additional prizes of $1 million each called MAXMILLIONS.
10. Will there be MAXMILLIONS offered at the launch of LOTTO MAX?
LOTTO MAX will begin with a $10-million Jackpot. The first MAXMILLIONS Draws will occur the first time the main Jackpot reaches $50 million.
11. What other prizes are available?
Prizes include a free play for matching 3/7 numbers, $20 prizes for matching 4/7 numbers and for matching 3/7 numbers plus the Bonus. Prizes are also available for matching 5, 6, 6-plus-Bonus and all 7 numbers. The value of these prizes is determined by the level of sales and the number of winning tickets sold. Please see prize structure below.
12. What are the odds of winning?
The odds vary for each prize level. The odds of winning the Jackpot per $5 play are 1:28,633,528. The odds of winning the Jackpot on any one seven-number selection are 1:85,900,584.
LOTTO MAX offers a range of other great prizes as well. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1:6.6.
Please see the prize structure below for details on the odds of winning the various prizes.
Forty-eight per cent of LOTTO MAX draw sales is dedicated to the Prize Fund. The total amount of $20 and Free Play prizes is paid from the Prize Fund and the balance of the fund (The Pools Fund) is then allocated to the 5/7, 6/7, 6/7 + Bonus and 7/7 prize categories as indicated in the table below.
If there is more than one winner in a prize category, the prize in that category will be shared among the winners in that category. A winning set of numbers entitles a winner to a prize in only one of the prize categories:
PRIZE STRUCTURE:
|
Matches
|
Win
|
Odds of Winning
Per $5 Play (approximate)
|
|
7/7
|
87% of the Pools Fund
|
1 in 28,633,528
|
|
6/7 + Bonus
|
4% of the Pools Fund
|
1 in 4,090,504
|
|
6/7
|
4% of the Pools Fund
|
1 in 99,768
|
|
5/7
|
5% of the Pools Fund
|
1 in 1,584
|
|
4/7
|
$20
|
1 in 71.3
|
|
3/7 + Bonus
|
$20
|
1 in 76.7
|
|
3/7
|
Free Play
|
1 in 8.1
|
|
|
Any prize
|
1 in 6.6
|
13. What is the prize payout on this game?
The LOTTO MAX Prize Fund is 48 per cent of cash sales revenue, divided among prize categories.
14. When will sales start for the new game, and when will the first draw be held? How are numbers drawn?
LOTTO MAX tickets go on sale on Saturday, September 19, 2009 with the first draw to be held the following Friday, September 25, 2009.
On each draw date, the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) will cause (via ball drop) seven main numbers and one Bonus number to be drawn at random from among all numbers from one to 49.
In addition, the ILC will use a random number generator to draw seven additional winning numbers for each of the MAXMILLIONS prizes when those additional prizes are offered.
15. Are Quick Picks available? Are Quick Picks available for all three selections?
Players may choose a Quick Pick or select their own numbers (using a selection slip) for the first set of seven numbers only.
16. Are multi-draw/advanced play tickets available?
Yes, OLG offers 10-week Advance Play tickets.
17. Are Combination Play tickets available?
OLG offers eight- and nine-number Combination Play.
18. Is there a subscription service for LOTTO MAX?
OLG currently does not offer a subscription service for LOTTO MAX.
19. How will the MAXMILLIONS Draws work? How many extra prizes will there be and how often?
Once the Jackpot reaches $50 million, additional Jackpot funding will then be directed into additional prizes of $1 million each. Beyond $50 million, the MAXMILLIONS prize feature kicks in. A separate draw will be held for each additional $1 million prize being offered. We estimate that LOTTO MAX will offer MAXMILLIONS prizes on approximately five or more LOTTO MAX draws a year.
20. Will the additional draws always be for $1 million? What happens if the ticket sales don't provide enough money for additional prizes of $1 million?
Yes, the additional MAXMILLIONS prizes will always be exactly $1 million for each additional prize offered. Any amount over $50 million not allotted to a MAXMILLIONS prize will be applied to the 6/7 Plus Bonus (2nd) prize category.
21. Can the actual number of MAXMILLIONS prizes drawn vary from the estimated number of prizes?
The advertised number of MAXMILLIONS prizes prior to a draw being held is always an estimate. The actual number of MAXMILLIONS prizes is determined by sales and the number of MAXMILLIONS not won on the previous draw, if any, and the final number may vary from that estimate.
22. What happens when a MAXMILLIONS prize isn't won?
If the $50-million Jackpot is won, any MAXMILLIONS that are not won are added to the next base ($10 million) LOTTO MAX Jackpot (they do not carry forward as MAXMILLIONS prizes). If the $50-million Jackpot is not won, any MAXMILLIONS that are not won carry forward to the next draw as MAXMILLIONS prizes.
23. What does the symbol stand for?
The symbol tells you that the LOTTO MAX Jackpot is estimated at $50 million plus MAXMILLIONS prizes.
24. What happens if more than one ticket wins on a MAXMILLIONS Draw? Is each ticket worth $1 million or a share of $1 million?
As with the main Jackpot, each additional MAXMILLIONS Draw prize of $1 million will be equally shared among the winning tickets for that prize.
25. How often will the MAXMILLIONS Draws and the extra prizes of $1 million be offered?
We're estimating that LOTTO MAX will offer MAXMILLIONS prizes on approximately five or more LOTTO MAX draws a year. The actual number of times that MAXMILLIONS Draws are offered will depend on sales and how often Jackpots at the prize levels leading up to $50 million are actually won.
26. How many additional prizes of $1 million will be available with the MAXMILLIONS Draws?
The number of additional MAXMILLIONS prizes of $1 million will be determined by the level of sales for the draw.
27. How will the LOTTO MAX draws be conducted?
The Main LOTTO MAX Draws held every Friday will be conducted using traditional lottery ball-drop machines – the same way that LOTTO 6/49 winning numbers are drawn.
The MAXMILLIONS Draws for additional prizes of $1 million each will be conducted using a random number generator that is being/has been independently tested and certified by Technical Systems Testing, an internationally recognized and accredited testing facility.
28. Why will the MAXMILLIONS Draws be conducted using a random number generator (RNG) instead of using the same ball-drop machine method that will be used for the Main Draw?
Given that there could be many additional draws, it is not practical to use the ball drop method as it would mean conducting a separate process for each additional MAXMILLIONS Draw - which could take several additional hours - and we want to provide players with the winning numbers as quickly as possible. Many regional games already use a RNG process, and it is widely accepted throughout the industry worldwide.
29. Is this RNG draw process used for any other games?
The RNG system utilizes a similar technology to the one used for drawing the MILLIONAIRE LIFE national lottery game offered in February of each year. OLG's BIG LINK BINGO games, which are offered in bingo halls across the province, also use the RNG system. Other regional lotteries use random number generators for some or all of their regional games.
30. Is a random number generator as random as using the traditional ball-drop method?
The system was designed to be as unpredictable as a ball-drop draw. Considerable safeguards as well as verification by external auditors occurs for ALL lottery draws regardless of how the results are generated. In terms of RNG, like the ball machine, the actual machines for RNG are kept in a safe in a controlled room at Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) offices. The software is designed to signal any modification to any component of the system that has an influence on the outcome. As well, there is an external audit of the draw itself.
31. A random number generator is a type of computer program, so what's to prevent someone from manipulating that program to fix a draw to ensure a specific ticket wins?
ALL lottery draws are audited internally and externally and there are a number of checks and balances that are the accountability of third party experts - from on site auditors for draws to the verification of equipment by third party certification experts. The software itself is designed to signal any modification to any component of the system that has an influence on the outcome.
32. How are people supposed to know that you're using a different method to draw the MAXMILLIONS prizes instead of using a ball machine?
The Main LOTTO MAX Draw will always be conducted using a ball-drop machine while the MAXMILLIONS Draws will always be conducted using the random number generator (RNG).
33. Are the LOTTO MAX balls the same as those used for LOTTO 6/49 or other games? Is there any testing done to protect against the balls being altered to affect the outcome of a draw?
A new and separate set of balls will be used for the LOTTO MAX Main Draws, and the same controls used for LOTTO 6/49 draws will protect the balls against any tampering. The balls are supplied by Smartplay International Inc. (of the U.S.) which specializes in these items. Each of the 49 balls is 51mm in diameter. The balls will be tested regularly to ensure they are consistent for size, weight, volume displacement and bounce. The same ball-drop machine that is used for LOTTO 6/49 will also be used for the LOTTO MAX Main Draws. As with LOTTO 6/49, between draws the balls will be sealed and kept in a locked, secure location and can only be accessed by authorized Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) draw personnel in the presence of an external trust officer.
34. What organization audits the LOTTO MAX draws?
Grant Thornton LLP are the external auditors for the LOTTO MAX draws.
