How to Claim a Lottery Prize in Canada (Ontario and Other Provinces)

Every province runs its own lottery operator, so claim limits and locations differ. The steps below are the same almost everywhere; confirm the exact limits on your operator's official site (OLG in Ontario, Loto-Québec, BCLC, WCLC in the Prairies and territories, ALC in Atlantic Canada).

Step by step

• Sign the back of your ticket immediately — an unsigned ticket belongs to whoever holds it.
• Check it at a retailer's ticket checker or the operator's app, and compare with official results.
• Small prizes are paid by any participating retailer, up to a limit set by the operator.
• Larger prizes are claimed at the operator's prize centre or by mail using the official claim form.
• Bring valid government photo ID. Large winners are usually interviewed and may be asked to take part in publicity.
• Claim before the deadline — in most provinces one year from the draw date. Check your ticket.

Group claims

Groups can submit one claim with each member's details so each person is paid their share. Keep a signed list of members and contributions before the draw.

Check your numbers

Use our free number checker at /number-checker to compare a ticket against every draw since 2021.