Lotto Max sets record with $100 million in jackpot prizes

TORONTO – People across the country are expected to buy lottery tickets in record numbers this week as the Lotto Max top pool prize reaches $100 million, the largest ever in Canadian history.

Tickets sold for Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s historic draw on Friday evening are eligible for the $50 million jackpot – the maximum jackpot prize allowed with OLG’s Lotto Max. In addition to the jackpot, another 50 millionaires can be created as 50 individual $1 million Maxmillions prizes will be drawn. All seven numbers must be matched to win or share in the $1 million prizes.

This is the fourth week that the $50 million Lotto Max jackpot has gone unclaimed. On June 25, 2012, a $50 million jackpot was accompanied by 49 Maxmillions but Friday’s draw is said to be a new benchmark for Canada’s lottery industry.

The $100-million potential prize total is the biggest in Lotto Max history. The second largest, $99 million, came in June 2010.

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Lotto Max jackpots have been shared by over 126 Ontarians since the game’s launch in September 2009. Global News takes a by the numbers look at Canada’s lottery industry.

53 – Per cent of Ontario adults who are lottery players
61 – Per cent of Ontario adults who have played a lottery in the past or plan to play in the future
20 – Per cent of Ontario adults who are core lottery players. According to OLG, a core lottery player is someone who buys lottery tickets once a week or more.
55 – Average player age of OLG gaming
36 – Per cent of core players who have a high school education or less
3.5 billion – Amount of money sought in damages against OLG in a proposed class-action lawsuit. The case was filed by addicted gamblers who claimed they asked to be barred from Ontario’s casinos, but were still allowed in.
25 – Per cent of core players who have a total household income under $50,000. Twenty per cent of core players have a total household income of $100,000 or over.
5 – Cost of a single Lotto Max ticket, in Canadian dollars
90 – Per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more put money back in the bank. *
60 – Per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more paid off debts. *
48 – Per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more donated to charity. *
7 – Per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more who bought a boat.
43 – Per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more who retired, gave up their job, changed jobs, went to school or opened their own business *

Ever wonder where the money goes? According to OLG, the corporation generated approximately $3.7 billion in economic activity in Canada based on the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

Let’s break down some of the numbers:
$120 million – Gaming proceeds made available to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for local and provincial charities
$1.9 million – Sponsorship of community festivals and concerts
$1.8 billion – Hospitals, health-related programs and other provincial priorities
$946.6 million – Payroll for more than 18,000 employees across Ontario
$223.6 million – Commissions paid to lottery retailers
$110.6 million – Payments to municipalities that host OLG gaming facilities, including resort casinos and charitable gaming centres

*37 per cent of winners of $1,000,000 or more responded to the survey. 

With a file from Postmedia News