How to Claim a Lottery Prize in Atlantic Canada
In Atlantic Canada, lottery draw-game prizes must be claimed within one year from the draw date — after that the ticket expires and the money is forfeited. Prizes up to $1,000 can be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins go through ALC (Atlantic Lottery Corporation). You'll need the signed ticket and one piece of government-issued photo ID. Minimum age in Atlantic Canada: 19+.
First — make sure it's actually a winner
Run every line through our ticket checker (any draw, with that draw's real payouts) before planning a trip. Old ticket from months ago? Check it against every stored draw at once — the claim window is one year from the draw date, so a forgotten ticket may still be alive.
Then sign the back of the ticket. A lottery ticket is a bearer document — whoever holds it can claim it. Your signature (matching your photo ID) protects the win if the ticket is lost or stolen.
Where to claim, by prize amount
| Prize amount | Where to claim | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $1,000 | Any ALC retailer — or the AL app | Retailers pay validated prizes up to $1,000 in cash. Scanning the ticket in the AL mobile app lets you deposit wins up to $999 straight into your alc.ca account. |
| $1,001 – $24,999 | Prize Claim Form — by mail or at an ALC office | Mail the signed ticket, the completed Prize Claim Form and a copy of photo ID (allow 6–8 weeks), or visit an office in Moncton, Halifax or St. John's. |
| $25,000 or more | ALC Winners Team | Call Customer Care (1-800-561-3942) or email first — a Winners Team representative walks you through the claim. |
Offices: ALC offices in Moncton (head office), Halifax and St. John's — covering New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Questions: ALC at 1-800-561-3942.
The deadline — check your draw date
Draw-game tickets in Atlantic Canada expire one year from the draw date. Enter the draw date printed on your ticket:
Approximate — the printed rules of ALC always prevail, and Scratch/instant tickets carry their own expiry on the back. If you're close to the deadline, contact ALC at 1-800-561-3942 before travelling.
💡 Tickets saved in My Numbers now show how many days remain to claim each drawn date — automatically.
Winner publicity — what to expect
Atlantic Lottery has a Winners Publicity Policy — expect your name and photo to be part of a major win. You must be 19+ to purchase, play or redeem ALC products.
Won as a group or office pool?
Claiming as a group? ALC pays the prize to the ticket owner(s) — put every member's share in writing before the draw so the split is never in dispute.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to claim a lottery prize in Atlantic Canada?
Draw-game prizes expire one year from the draw date — that includes Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand and ALC's regional games. Scratch tickets have their own expiry printed on the back. After the deadline the prize is forfeited, so claim well before it.
Where do I claim a Lotto Max or 6/49 prize from a ticket bought in Atlantic Canada?
Through ALC — national games are claimed in the province of PURCHASE, not residence. Prizes up to $1,000 can usually be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins follow the steps on this page.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Atlantic Canada?
No. Canadian lottery prizes are tax-free and paid in full — only the future investment income on the money is taxable.
I bought the ticket outside Atlantic Canada — can ALC pay it?
No. Tickets bought in another lottery jurisdiction must be claimed from the corporation printed on the back of the ticket — where you BOUGHT it, not where you live. The reverse is also true: an Atlantic-bought ticket is claimed through ALC even if you have moved away.
Sources & accuracy
Summarized from Atlantic Lottery Corporation's official claiming instructions (www.alc.ca), verified July 2026. We are an independent results site — rules and office locations change, so always confirm with ALC before travelling to claim. Checking results for Atlantic Canada? See the Atlantic Canada lottery results hub or jump to Atlantic 49 .