How to choose the best game to play in Canada with the greatest odds of winning the lottery
/
Canadians have a choice of 5 main lotteries that can be played with the Silver Lotto System: Atlantic 49, Lotto 649, Lotto Max 7/50, Western 49 and Ontario 49.
But which ones have the best odds of winning the lottery in Canada? What’s the best lotto game to play? Here's how to work it out:
You’ll get the most effective results when the numbers and balls in a game are low. That means playing with the minimum number of balls along with the minimum amount of numbers.
These games with the smallest numbers will return the best odds for the number of tickets you buy. It's just simple maths.
So, taking into account the cost of tickets in each game, the list now appears like this in the best to lowest selection order:
Atlantic 49 - $1
Ontario 49 - $1
Western 49 - $1
Lotto 649 - $3
Lotto Max - $5
Since the first four games have the same amounts - 6 balls and 49 numbers, how do we make a choice between them?
Well, that's easy - the answer is that you can't play anywhere else. You can only play the game in your area.
The borders and areas define where Canadians can play, and players in those regions will often only have one choice… Atlantic 49, Ontario 49 or Western 49.
They are the best value for money. Otherwise, you should play Lotto 649 or Lotto Max.
And there's one other point to consider...
The Lotto Max is least recommended because of its 7-ball disadvantage. The math says 7 balls have a poorer chance of winning than 6 balls.
1. How it all began: The very first lottery in Canada was held in 1758 in Quebec. It was initiated by the French regime to finance the defense of the colony, proving that from their inception, lotteries were seen as a way to support and develop the nation.
2. Big Jackpots: 'Lotto 6/49' is one of the most popular lotteries in Canada. Launched in 1982, it was the first nationwide Canadian lottery game to allow players to choose their own numbers. The largest jackpot in Lotto 6/49 history was CAD $68 million, which was won in September 27, 2023.
3. Beneficial Proceeds: Lotteries in Canada aren't just about winning big bucks. A portion of the proceeds from Canadian lotteries goes towards funding public programs and services. This includes support for sectors like health, education, and community programs. 4. The Instant Success of "Scratch 'N Win": In 1981, Western Canada Lottery Corporation introduced the first instant-win scratch ticket in Canada, named "Scratch 'N Win". This type of lottery game became instantly popular, offering players immediate gratification and a tactile experience, and has since become a staple in the lottery industry with many varieties and themes available. 5. Canada's Group Play Tradition: Canadians have a tradition of playing lotteries in groups, with coworkers, friends, or family members. Often referred to as "Group Play", this approach has led to multiple massive jackpot wins being split between members of a group.
But Lotto Max has one benefit that attracts many players - a high jackpot cap. In July 2012 it went as high as $100 million in one game, but it is now capped at $70 million.
So while the Lotto Max odds are the poorest of the five games, the jackpot is high, and most players will want to play the Max despite the worse odds.
But if you want to win any sum faster, the winning odds are best with smaller numbers. You decide!
