The low ticket cost, free bonus play, and early bird draw make playing Lottario the best deal by far from all Canadian lotteries, as well as, the easiest jackpot to win.
When selecting 6 numbers out of 45 on a $1 Lottario ticket, you’ll get a bonus quick pick and a chance to win the Early Bird prize (1 in 4,967).
Jackpot
The odds of winning the Lottario jackpot are 1 in 8,145,060, while the secondary prizes odds range from $3 (1 in 48) to $10,000 ( 1,357,510), Since a free quick pick is included with every play, you’ll get two chances to win prizes with every $1 line you purchase and why the OLG show the odds being .
The minimum Lottario jackpot is $250,000 that rolls over each time it’s not won. To reach a jackpot of $1,000,000, it normally takes , with roughly 4-5 draws required for the jackpot to reach $1,000,000.
Current
The current Lottario jackpot has rolled over four times and is now an estimated $1,810,000 after not being won since two lucky winners shared a $800,000 jackpot on April 2nd. The last big jackpot won was a whopping $2.76M in the March 12th draw.
How to Play
Lottario is a pick 6/45 lottery, which means you’ll need to match 6 numbers out of 45 possible balls to win the jackpot. While Lottario is the easiest lottery to play in Canada that has a jackpot prize of over $100,000, the odds of winning are still quite high at 1 in 8,145,060.
The easiest way to play Lottario is to buy quick pick tickets which take no effort whatsoever. You simply pay your lottery retailer $1 and get two lines of 6 randomly chosen numbers. For those who want more in-depth options, you can choose to pick your own numbers, select combinational play, or play lottery wheels based on specific win guarantees.
What to Play For
When playing a pick 6 lottery wheel in Lottario, you need to understand that the prizes for matching 4 or less only pay out $4 to $10. If you target your play towards winning small prizes, you’re like to lose money just trying to guarantee a single match.
The key to winning in Lottario is to target plays that offer good value for the cost of a guarantee, such as a Match 5 or catching an Early Bird prize win.
You also want to win big money to make playing the lottery worthwhile. So when playing Lottario or any other pick 6 lotteries in Canada, your primary goal should always be matching 6 numbers. Whether that be the Match 5 + Bonus ($10,000) or the rolling jackpot prizes which start a $250K, always target the biggest prizes in any play you make.
If you want to win bigger prizes you need a winning Lottario strategy that allows you offset loses while winning secondary prizes.
Pick Your Own Numbers
All you need to play self picks in Lottario is $1, a pen or pencil, a selection slip and the ability to mark 6 boxes.
On a single selection slip there are 10 boards where you can mark six different numbers from 1 to 45 onto. Each board you play will cost you $1. If you wanted to play the same numbers across multiple draws, you can also select to play them up to 26 draws in a row (6 months worth).
The numbers you choose can be your favorites, marked in a pattern, or totally random. The choice is up to, as no wonder which 6 number combination you choose, your odds of winning the Lottario jackpot will always be 1 in 8,145,060.
There are also many pick 6 playing strategies to consider when choosing your selections, which include methodical numbers and odds and evens.
Once you’re all set, then have your nearest lottery retailer print your ticket. Note that for every board you play, you’ll also receive a bonus second set of randomly generated numbers.
Yes, that’s two lines and two shots at the Lottario jackpot for just $1.
Quick Picks
If you want to take the easy way out and have a computer randomly select 6 Lottario numbers for you, then just ask your lottery retailer for quick picks. Each pick you play will cost $1 and includes two randomly selected sets of numbers from 1-45 for you.
Encore
While not exclusive to Lottario, Encore is available as an extra add-on to your Ontario lottery tickets and costs $1 per play. You can select up 10 Encore plays per selection slip, even if you only play one Lottario board. The top prize of $1,000,000 requires matches the randomly chosen 7-digit number on your ticket.
How To Win
To produce a Lottario ticket capable of winning the jackpot prize you’ll need to match all 6 numbers from the draw. Since the odds of that happening are 1 in 8,145,060, you’ll most likely need to win other prizes to keep your interest in playing consistently.
If you’re just playing quick picks then there is no strategy required other than the hope and pray method. As in, the more tickets you buy, the more chances you have to win.
Match 5 Wins
The prize amount for matching 5 numbers in Lottario is $500, which is the same as Ontario 49. While both lotteries cost just $1 per play, Lottario only has 45 numbers to choose from which makes it much easier to Match 5 than when playing other 6/49 lotteries.
- Lottario odds for a match 5/6 are 1 in 35,724
- Ontario 49/Lotto 649 odds for a match 5/6 are 1 in 55,492
When you add in the fact that Lottario adds a free quick pick with every line purchased, the odds become 3-5x more likely for you to win a Match 5 prize.
- Lottario match 5/6 odds per $1 play are 1 in 17,862
- Ontario 49 match 5/6 odds per $1 play are 1 in 55,492
- Lotto 649 match 5/6 odds per $1 play are 1 in 83,238
5if5 Guaranteed Wheels
Now that you know playing to match 5 numbers is the best strategy for winning prizes in Lottario, you just have to find value in 5if5 guaranteed lottery wheels.
The best lottery wheels in this case are those which allow still allow you profit with a 4if4 match, while you await your 5if5 guaranteed prize.
12 Number Play
If playing 12 numbers, it will cost $132 to guarantee a $500 prize when matching 5 of 6. This would effectively give you at least 6 draws to profit based on the secondary prizes you can also win.
If you match 4 in any draw, you’ll make $36 while will get you closer to having 7 draws to make a slight profit.
- Match only 3 numbers = $48 in prize wins = $84 loss
- Match only 4 numbers = $168 in prize wins = $36 profit
- Match any 5 numbers = $850 in prize wins = $718 profit
Now, remember, you’re also playing to win the Match 5 + Bonus ($10,000 prize) here which requires a different which this 12 number 5if5 wheel offers full 100% 6if7 coverage.
For every draw, you enter you’ll also get 132 free plays of randomly generated numbers, which can help offset any losses while giving you 132 more weekly shots at the jackpot.
Prize Odds & Payouts
Lottario has 5 prize tiers with odds of 1 in 21 of winning any prize and jackpot odds of 1 in 8,145,060. You’ll find the OLG website cuts their numbers in half, due to calculating in the free play you get with each line purchased, which we include the Per $1 Play column.
| Match | Prize Payout | Prize Odds | Per $1 Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6/6 | $250K+ Rolling Jackpot | 1 in 8,145,060 | 1 in 4,072,530 |
| 5/6 + Bonus | $10,000 | 1 in 1,357,510 | 1 in 678,755 |
| 5/6 | $500 | 1 in 35,724 | 1 in 17,862 |
| 4/6 + Bonus | $30 | 1 in 14,290 | 1 in 7,145 |
| 4/6 | $10 | 1 in 772 | 1 in 386 |
| 3/6 + Bonus | $5 | 1 in 579 | 1 in 290 |
| 3/6 | $4 | 1 in 48 | 1 in 24 |
| 0/6 + Bonus | Free Play | 1 in 16 | 1 in 8 |
FAQ
Below you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about the Lottario lottery, including how to play, what the odds are, where and when to purchase, and how to claim your prizes.
The draw time for Lottario is held at 11:30 pm ET every Saturday night. Ticket counters close at 10:30 pm ET though, while Early Bird eligibility expires after 11:59:59 ET on Fridays.
Each line or board played in Lottario costs $1 but you get a free quick pick ticket with every line you purchase. As in, you get two plays for $1 whether you use self-pick or quick pick numbers.
The odds of winning the jackpot are (or any other normal 6/45 lottery) are 1 in 8,145,060. With Lottario, however, you get a free play with every line purchased, with theoretically cuts your odds in half at 1 in 4,072,530 per $1 play.
The 5/6 + Bonus prize which pays out $10,000 has odds of 1 in 1,357,510 or 1 in 678,755, while the 5/5 prize of $500 has odds of 1 in 35,724 or 1 in 17,862 per $1 play.
The chances of winning Lottario or any other normal 6/45 lottery are 1 in 8,145,060. Since you get a free play with every line purchased, your chances could theoretically be cut in half at 1 in 4,072,530.
The Lottario jackpot has a minimum prize of $250,000, which increases with each week it’s not won. The average jackpot won is around $600,000 but does reach $1-2M a few times per year. The remaining prizes are $10,000, $500, $30, $10, $5, $4 and Free Plays. The extra Early Bird prize generally pays out $200 per winner.
| 6/6 | $250,000 rolling jackpot |
| 5/6 + Bonus | $10,000 |
| 5/6 | $500.00 |
| 4/6 + Bonus | $30.00 |
| 4/6 | $10.00 |
| 3/6 + Bonus | $5.00 |
| 3/6 | $4.00 |
| 0/6 + Bonus | Free Play |
| Early Bird | $50,000 prize pool $200+ on average per winner |
There is only one Early Bird prize in Lottario, which is a $50,000 prize pool that is shared equally between all winners. On average, Early Bird winners will receive around $200 each.
Playing Encore in Lottario draws is as simple as asking your lottery retailer to include it on your ticket or by marking you want to play encore on your Lottario selection slip.
You can play up to 10 lines of Encore in Lottario by either marking it on your selection slip or asking your lottery retailer to include Encore on your quick picks.
Lottario is a pick 6/45 lottery held in the province of Ontario, Canada every Saturday at 11:30 pm. It has a rolling jackpot prize for matching all six numbers that start at $250,000 and generally reach around $1M+ after 4-5 weeks with no winners. The cost to play is $1 per line and you can choose to play a quick pick (random selection) or play your own numbers 6 numbers from 1 to 45 via marketing a selection slip.
Anyone who is at least 18 years of age that can visit a lottery retailer in Ontario, or can buy Lottario tickets via proxy is able. International residents are also welcome to play and no Canadian taxes are placed on winning no matter where you live.
Everyone who purchases a Lottario ticket before 11:59:59 pm ET on Friday night is eligible to win the Early Bird prize on Saturday night. This extra draw consists of 4 numbers being selected out of 45 balls, and you need to match all 4 correctly within your 6 regular draw selections to win. Generally, around 250 winners share the Early Bird prize pool of $50,000, with equates to roughly $200 per winner.
The cost to play Lottario is $1 for each set of 6 numbers you wish to enter in the draw. There is no cost to enter the Early Bird draw, but you are required to purchase your tickets before 11:59:59 pm ET to be eligible. For each set of numbers you purchase (self-pick or quick pick) you will receive a free second set of randomly generated numbers on the same ticket.
Lottario draws are held every Saturday night with ticket counters closing at 10:30 pm ET on the day of the draw, but eligibility for the Early Draw requires tickets to be purchased before 11:59:59 pm ET on Fridays.
The regular Lottario draw cutoff time is 10:30 pm ET on Saturday, but if you want to be eligible for the Early Bird draw, you need to purchase your Lottario tickets a day earlier by 11:59:59 pm ET on Friday.
Only authorized lottery retailers in the province of Ontario, Canada sell Lottario. To purchase tickets for any draw, you must either visit a local retailer yourself in person or have someone else buy the tickets for you.
No, not yet. Online sales are currently unavailable for Lottario on OLG.ca, but $1 Ontario 49 tickets recently become available online, so there’s hope still that it may be possible in the future. If you have someone living in Ontario who is willing to run a lottery pool, then this might an option.
Yes, each Lottario selection slip has 10 boards on it, where you can choose your own sets of 6 numbers. The cost is $1 for each board you play, and for each line you play, you will receive a free second set of randomly generated numbers. If want to play more than 10 sets of your own numbers, you’ll have to fill out another selection slip.
All Lottario prizes must be claimed within one year of the draw date. For prizes under $1,000, you can collect your winning at a local lottery retailer. For prizes of over $1,000 you either have to visit the OLG Prize Center or mail in your ticket. Larger prizes of $50,000 or more generally require in-person claims.
No, unclaimed prizes are directed to profits paid to benefit the people of Ontario. Currently, there are two unclaimed Lottario prizes of $10,000 from draws on January 23rd, 2021 (Rural Northern Ontario) and April 24th, 2021 (Toronto West).
To win the Lottario jackpot prize payout of at least $250K, you’re required to match all 6 numbers on one line in your ticket. For the $10,000 prize, you need to match 5/6 numbers, plus the bonus number, while the $500 prize requires a 5/5 match. For a Match 4+ Bonus/Match 4 you’ll win $30/$10, while a Match 3 + Bonus/Match 3 will win $4/$3. If you only match the bonus number you won’t win money but will get at least get a free ticket.
The newly minted Lottario lottery launched on November 18, 1978, in Ontario, Canada. It was the second provincial lottery game organized by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (now called OLG). The game format game changed in 2015 to add extra prize tiers and improve the chances of winning. As of late 2021, no online sales are yet possible, and you still need to visit a local lottery retailer to purchase a ticket.
It will cost $245 to guarantee a $500 prize when playing 13 numbers with a 5if5 wheel. Based on secondary prize wins, you’d have roughly 4 draws to match 5 numbers and at least break even.
- Match 5 of 6 = $992-$1522 in prizes win = $747-1277 profit
- Match 4 of 6 = $236-$250 in prizes win = $9 loss up to a $5 in profit
- Match 3 of 6 = $68-$72 in prizes win = $173-$177 loss
- Match 2 of 6 = $0 in prizes win = $245 loss
When playing this wheel in Lottario, you’d also get 245 free plays per draw to help offset any losses, along with 90.38% 6if7 coverage.