News writer
While we have been celebrating the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot in the United States, our neighbors to the north have reason to celebrate also — the highest jackpot ever for any Canadian lottery game is up for grabs tonight!
Record-breaking Lotto Max jackpot
For tonight's drawing (Friday, September 13), the Lotto Max jackpot has reached $75 million, which sets a new record for the country. Not only is that news to celebrate, but lottery officials also announced that the main jackpot cap has also increased to $80 million.
What does that mean? If no one happens to match all the winning numbers for tonight's drawing, then the money will roll over to a maximum of $80 million for the next drawing, which takes place on Tuesday, September 17.
Why is there an increase in the maximum jackpot in Lotto Max?
So, why did lottery officials decide to increase the maximum jackpot amount for the Lotto Max game? According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), they decided to increase that maximum amount to keep the games fresh and more interesting for players.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told CTV News:
Lotto Max has been very, very successful over the years. After a few years in the market, we raised the jackpot cap to $60 million and then a few years ago to $70 million, and now the next progression is going to be $80 million.
The buzz is going around
With $75 million up for grabs tonight in the Lotto Max draw, it's creating more buzz for players and non-players out there!
In Kitchener, Ontario, people were lining up early at the Top Convenience store. The owner, Rob Lee, told CTV News, “We're going to start seeing more and more non-lottery people coming in to buy tickets.”
One hopeful customer, Don Marcotte, is covering all the bases, hoping for that win. He said, “A couple of quick picks for the Lotto 649 and the Encore. You got to be in it to win it.”
While Marcotte said you have to be in it to win it, another customer, Chris Bernard, said, “I'm feeling good. You have to feel good. You have to feel like a winner before you can really win.”
Another customer said she is hoping to win so she can provide a better life for her family and “be happy.”
Bernard added, “I usually play, yes, because I'm manifesting that lottery win, so I have to play.”
Purchasing your Lotto Max tickets
Tickets for the Lotto Max $75 million draw can be purchased until 10:30 p.m. ET tonight.
Besides purchasing the tickets at a lottery retailer or through an online app, the OLG has also announced a new way for people to purchase their lottery tickets.
The OLG has started installing 1,400 self-serve lottery machines across the province, including in some beer stores, convenience stores, and gas stations.
Bitonti said:
Sometimes [people] don't want to wait in line to pay for their gas to buy their lottery ticket. Now they can go to these retail self-serve lottery terminals and buy their Lotto Max or 649 or their instant tickets as well, too.
With these self-serve machines, identification is needed for age verification. And if you happen to be the lucky winner of tonight's drawing, you can't collect any of those winnings through the machines.
Players are liking the new machines. Marcotte joked that buying a lotto ticket is so simple he's “in and out” and “nobody gets hurt.” With the self-service machines, he doesn't have to bother the person behind the counter.
Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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