How to Claim a Lottery Prize in Ontario
In Ontario, lottery draw-game prizes must be claimed within 12 months after the draw date — after that the ticket expires and the money is forfeited. Prizes up to $999.99 can be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins go through OLG (Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation). You'll need the signed ticket and one piece of government-issued photo ID. Minimum age in Ontario: 18+.
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 12 months after 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 $999.99 | Any OLG lottery retailer | Paid in cash or to your debit/credit account, subject to the store's ability to pay. Every store must pay wins up to $50. |
| $1,000 or more | Online claim at OLG.ca | Submit the claim online; OLG then mails a prize cheque or books an interview appointment, depending on the amount. |
| $10,000 or more | Online claim + winner photo | A photograph of the winner is part of OLG's payment record for major prizes, and the win is publicized. |
Offices: OLG Prize Centre, Toronto (interviews for major prizes are arranged after the online claim). Questions: OLG at 1-800-387-0098.
The deadline — check your draw date
Draw-game tickets in Ontario expire 12 months after the draw date. Enter the draw date printed on your ticket:
Approximate — the printed rules of OLG always prevail, and Scratch/instant tickets carry their own expiry on the back. If you're close to the deadline, contact OLG at 1-800-387-0098 before travelling.
💡 Tickets saved in My Numbers now show how many days remain to claim each drawn date — automatically.
Winner publicity — what to expect
Ontario wins of $1,000 or more are listed on OLG.ca for 30 days after payment. For prizes of $10,000 or more, OLG publishes the winner's name, city and photo. Since May 2026 OLG news releases omit last names, but the full name still appears on its website — truly anonymous claims are generally not possible.
Won as a group or office pool?
Playing in a group? OLG reviews group wins carefully — have every member's share in writing before the draw. Our free pool link does exactly that, including a printable agreement.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to claim a lottery prize in Ontario?
Draw-game prizes expire 12 months after the draw date — that includes Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand and OLG'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 Ontario?
Through OLG — national games are claimed in the province of PURCHASE, not residence. Prizes up to $999.99 can usually be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins follow the steps on this page.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Ontario?
No. Canadian lottery prizes are tax-free and paid in full — only the future investment income on the money is taxable.
Can you claim a lottery prize anonymously in Ontario?
Generally no. OLG requires publicity for major wins: prizes of $10,000 or more come with the winner's name, city and photo published. Since May 2026 OLG has dropped last names from its news releases, but the full name is still disclosed on OLG.ca. Exceptions are rare and decided case by case.
Sources & accuracy
Summarized from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation's official claiming instructions (www.olg.ca), verified July 2026. We are an independent results site — rules and office locations change, so always confirm with OLG before travelling to claim. Checking results for Ontario? See the Ontario lottery results hub or jump to Ontario 49, Lottario .