According to Statistics Canada, about 50% of Canadian adults play the lottery at least once each year. The first government-run lottery was held in the country over a century ago, and playing the lottery has been popular pretty much ever since.
It’s the Lotto 6/49 lottery that is considered the best lottery game of the bunch in Canada. So, what is it that gives Lotto 6/49 an edge over the other lotto games? Keep reading to find out.
Looking Back at the Intriguing History of Lotto 6/49
Lotto 6/49 has been keeping Canadian lottery players on the edges of their seats for decades. 
Prior to the introduction of this lottery game, they were forced to use whichever pre-printed numbers came on their tickets when they bought them. It wasn’t long before its success forced organizers to phase out these types of lotteries and allow Canadians to choose their own numbers every time they played the lottery.
Over the last 40-plus years, Lotto 6/49 has established itself as Canada’s lottery of choice time and time again by providing the biggest jackpots in the country’s history. This includes everything from a $26.4 million drawing that took place in September 1995 to a record-breaking $68 million drawing that occurred in September 2023.
Embracing the Many Benefits of Playing Lotto 6/49
The simplicity of the Lotto 6/49 lottery is just one of many reasons why most Canadians consider it the best lottery game in the country. Here are several other reasons for its popularity among Canadian lottery players:
- Tickets are sold nationwide, which makes it accessible to Canadians all across the country.
- A ticket costs just $3, making it a very affordable lottery game for everyone regardless of budget.
- It offers Canadians the opportunity to win a variety of jackpots in addition to a slew of secondary prizes.
When this lottery’s Gold Ball Jackpot grows, it also begins to build a lot of buzz throughout Canada. Everyone gets so excited to snatch up tickets to give themselves a chance to win life-changing money.
The Biggest Lotto 6/49 Jackpots in Recent Memory
Most of the largest jackpots in Canadian lottery history were awarded in this draw. These are the biggest Lotto 6/49 jackpots in recent memory:
- A $64 million jackpot in October 2015
- A $63.4 million jackpot in April 2013
- A $54.3 million jackpot in October 2005
- A $48 million jackpot in February 2023
- A $40 million jackpot in November 2013
Since changes were made to the Lotto 6/49 lottery to provide Canadians with the chance to win two jackpots on every ticket, it has created more millionaires than ever before.
Comparing Lotto 6/49 to Other Canadian Lotteries
The Lotto 6/49 lottery might be the best Canadian lottery at the moment, but it isn’t the only nationwide lottery in the country. Check out how it stacks up against these other nationwide lotteries.
| Lottery | Odds of Winning Any Prize | Odds of Winning a Free Play | Odds of Winning a Jackpot |
| Lotto 6/49 | 1 in 6.6 | 1 in 8.3 | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| Lotto Max | 1 in 7.0 | 1 in 12.3 | 1 in 33,294,800 |
| Daily Grand | 1 in 6.8 | 1 in 8.5 | 1 in 13,348,188 |
Understanding How To Play Lotto 6/49
One of the reasons why the Lotto 6/49 lottery has turned into the best lottery game in Canada is because it’s simple to play. Whether you’re an avid Canadian lottery player or someone who only occasionally buys a lottery ticket, it won’t take long to learn how to play.
When you buy a ticket, you’ll get to select six numbers between 1 and 49. You’ll also be assigned a computer-generated 10-digit number for the Gold Ball Draw Number. From there, you’ll have the chance to win one of two jackpots. This includes both the $5 million Classic Jackpot and the Gold Ball Jackpot that grows over time (and is worth at least $10 million).
To win the $5 million Classic Jackpot when playing this lottery, you’ll need to match all six of the numbers on your ticket. You can also win smaller prizes for matching 2, 3, 4, or 5 numbers along with the bonus number. To win the Gold Ball Jackpot, you’ll need to match your 10-digit Gold Ball Draw number with the number that is drawn.
Your odds of winning the $5 million Classic Jackpot while playing the Lotto 6/49 lottery is 1 in 13,983,816. Your odds of winning this jackpot, meanwhile, vary from one drawing to the next based on how many Gold Ball Draw Numbers are issued.
Test Your Luck by Playing Lottery Today
The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation holds the Lotto 6/49 every Wednesday and Saturday. Buy a Lotto ticket for just $3 at PlayNow, OLG, and PlayAlberta, among other sites.
Get your lotto fix in the meantime by trying out the best lottery games in Canada at these trusted casinos:
