How to Claim a Lottery Prize in Canada
Every Canadian lottery corporation gives you about one year from the draw date to claim a draw-game prize — 12 months at OLG, one year at BCLC, WCLC, Loto-Québec and Atlantic Lottery. Where you claim depends on where the ticket was bought (not where you live) and on the prize amount: small wins at any retailer, big wins through the corporation. Pick your province below for exact thresholds, offices and steps.
Pick the province where you bought the ticket
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories are all served by WCLC — but claim offices and mail-in forms differ by province, so use your own province's page.
Is your ticket still alive? Check the deadline
Enter the draw date printed on the ticket — every corporation uses roughly the same one-year window:
Approximate — the printed rules of your lottery corporation always prevail, and Scratch/instant tickets carry their own expiry on the back.
Not sure the ticket even won? Check it against every stored draw first — takes seconds. 💡 Tickets saved in My Numbers show the days remaining automatically.
The three things every claim needs
- The signed ticket — sign the back as soon as you buy it; a lottery ticket is a bearer document and the signature protects you if it's lost or stolen.
- Government photo ID — one piece, matching the name signed on the ticket.
- Time on the clock — about one year from the draw date, then the prize is forfeited to the corporation's prize fund.
Canadian lottery winnings are tax-free — the corporation pays the full amount; only future investment income on it is taxable.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to claim a lottery ticket in Canada?
About one year from the draw date, in every province: OLG (Ontario) says 12 months after the draw date, and BCLC, WCLC, Loto-Québec and Atlantic Lottery all give one year. Scratch tickets differ — their expiry is printed on the back of the ticket. After the deadline the prize is forfeited.
Where do I claim a Lotto Max or Lotto 6/49 prize?
Through the lottery corporation of the province where the ticket was BOUGHT — not where you live. A Lotto Max ticket bought in Ontario is claimed through OLG, one bought in Calgary through WCLC. Pick your province above for the exact steps and thresholds.
What happens to unclaimed lottery prizes in Canada?
After the claim deadline passes, the prize is forfeited and the money returns to the lottery corporation's prize fund — it is typically redistributed to players through future prizes and bonus draws. Corporations publicly search for big unclaimed tickets before they expire.
Are Canadian lottery winnings taxable?
No — lottery winnings in Canada are not taxed as income and are paid in full. Only the future investment income you earn on the money is taxable.