How to Claim a Lottery Prize in Québec
In Québec, 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 $600 can be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins go through Loto-Québec (Loto-Québec). You'll need the signed ticket and one piece of government-issued photo ID. Minimum age in Québec: 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 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 $600 | Any Loto-Québec retailer | Paid on the spot once the ticket is validated at the terminal. |
| $600.01 – $50,000 | Online, by registered mail, or a claim office | Check the ticket with Loto-Québec's online checker or app — a blue box invites you to claim online (Interac e-Transfer, direct deposit or cheque). Keep the original ticket for 12 months after payment. |
| $50,000.01 or more — and annuity prizes | Claim office, by appointment | Big wins and "for life" annuity prizes (e.g. Grande Vie's $1,000 a day) are claimed in person — call ahead to book. |
Offices: Loto-Québec claim offices in Montréal, Québec City, Gatineau, Trois-Rivières, La Malbaie and Mont-Tremblant (some by appointment only). Questions: Loto-Québec at 1-866-611-5686.
The deadline — check your draw date
Draw-game tickets in Québec expire one year from the draw date. Enter the draw date printed on your ticket:
Approximate — the printed rules of Loto-Québec always prevail, and Scratch/instant tickets carry their own expiry on the back. If you're close to the deadline, contact Loto-Québec at 1-866-611-5686 before travelling.
💡 Tickets saved in My Numbers now show how many days remain to claim each drawn date — automatically.
Winner publicity — what to expect
Loto-Québec verifies every major claim in person and publicizes big wins. Unclaimed prizes do not roll over — after the one-year deadline the money returns to the prize fund.
Won as a group or office pool?
Group prizes cannot be claimed online in Québec (except Formule groupe tickets) — the trustee signs the ticket and writes "In a group of X people" on it. A written share list prepared before the draw makes the office visit painless.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to claim a lottery prize in Québec?
Draw-game prizes expire one year from the draw date — that includes Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand and Loto-Québec'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 Québec?
Through Loto-Québec — national games are claimed in the province of PURCHASE, not residence. Prizes up to $600 can usually be paid at a lottery retailer; larger wins follow the steps on this page.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Québec?
No. Canadian lottery prizes are tax-free and paid in full — only the future investment income on the money is taxable.
How do online prize claims work at Loto-Québec?
For prizes from $600.01 to $50,000, check your ticket with Loto-Québec's online ticket checker or app. If the prize qualifies, a blue box invites you to file the claim online and be paid by Interac e-Transfer, direct deposit or cheque. Keep the original ticket for at least 12 months after payment.
Sources & accuracy
Summarized from Loto-Québec's official claiming instructions (loteries.lotoquebec.com), verified July 2026. We are an independent results site — rules and office locations change, so always confirm with Loto-Québec before travelling to claim. Checking results for Québec? See the Québec lottery results hub or jump to Québec Max, Québec 49, Grande Vie .