The lottery in New Brunswick refers to the various lottery games offered by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation to residents of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation, owned by the four Atlantic Canadian provinces, operates and manages the lotteries in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Some quick answers about the lottery in New Brunswick:
– There are a variety of lottery games available including national games like Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max as well as regional games like TAG and the Atlantic 49.
– Tickets can be purchased at authorized retailers across the province as well as online.
– Draws take place on a regular schedule with some daily draws and others weekly or bi-weekly.
– Prizes range from free tickets up to multimillion dollar jackpots. The odds of winning vary by game.
– Lottery proceeds fund government programs and projects across the province. In 2021-2022, over $252 million in profit went back to the provincial government.
History of the Lottery in New Brunswick
The first lottery in New Brunswick was introduced in 1974 by the provincial government. It started as a weekly lottery called the Olympic Lottery with a top prize of $100,000. In 1976, the Atlantic Lottery Corporation was established to jointly operate lottery games across the four Atlantic provinces. The first regional lottery game introduced was the Atlantic Lottery in 1976. Here is a brief overview of key milestones:
| 1974 | First lottery introduced in NB – the Olympic Lottery |
| 1976 | Atlantic Lottery Corporation established |
| 1976 | First regional game – Atlantic Lottery introduced |
| 1982 | Lotto 6/49 national lottery game launches |
| 1987 | Atlantic 49 regional lottery game introduced |
| 1991 | Breakopen instant win games introduced |
| 2009 | Atlantic TAG regional draw game introduced |
| 2019 | Lotto Max national game introduced |
Over the decades, newer national and regional lottery games have been added to the product mix while older games have occasionally been discontinued. Atlantic Lottery continues to enhance the portfolio of games available to New Brunswickers.
How Lottery Games in New Brunswick Work
There are a variety of different lottery games available to play in New Brunswick, each with their own rules, prize structures, and odds of winning. Here is an overview of how some of the major lottery games work:
Lotto 6/49
– National lottery game available across Canada.
– Players select 6 numbers from 1 to 49.
– Draws held twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
– To win the jackpot, match all 6 numbers drawn.
– The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 14 million.
– Prizes include free plays, $5 for matching 2 numbers, up to $1 million or more for matching 5 numbers plus the bonus.
Atlantic 49
– Regional lottery game in the four Atlantic provinces.
– Players choose 6 numbers from 1 to 49.
– Draws every Wednesday and Saturday.
– To win the jackpot, match all 6 numbers drawn.
– The odds of winning the jackpot are around 1 in 13.9 million.
– Prizes for matching 3, 4 or 5 numbers plus the bonus number.
Lotto Max
– National lottery game played coast to coast.
– Pick 7 numbers from 1 to 50 plus a bonus number.
– Draws held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays.
– Match all 7 numbers to hit the jackpot.
– Odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 33 million.
– Prizes offered for matching 3, 4, 5, or 6 numbers.
Breakopen Games
– Instant win ticket games.
– Find matching symbols, numbers or patterns to win prizes printed inside the ticket.
– Games include Lucky Seven, High Roller, Bonus Bingo, Instant Deal, and more.
– Odds of winning vary by game and prize amount.
– Prizes might be free tickets up to $5,000 or more.
The exact game rules, prize structures, and odds vary across games so players should always check with official game rules and the ALC website for specifics. Games involve an element of randomness in number selection and the odds are stacked against winning the major prizes. But New Brunswickers have won millions over the years and some lucky individuals have claimed jackpot wins and bigger prizes.
Where to Purchase Lottery Tickets in New Brunswick
Lottery tickets for all New Brunswick lottery games can be purchased at hundreds of authorized retailers province-wide. Here are some of the key places to buy tickets:
Grocery stores
Many grocery stores and supermarkets across the province have lottery booths or kiosks where tickets can be purchased for all games. Major chains like Sobeys, Atlantic Superstore, Co-op/Superstore, and Costco sell lottery tickets at multiple locations.
Convenience stores
Convenience stores and gas stations often sell lottery tickets alongside their regular products. Chains like Irving, Circle K, and Needs offer lottery ticket sales. Tickets can easily be picked up while filling up or grabbing a snack.
Pharmacies
Select pharmacies and drug stores have lottery sales including Lawtons Drugs, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, and local independent pharmacies. It’s common to find a lottery booth at many pharmacy locations.
Lottery retailers
Dedicated lottery ticket retailers exist across the province. These locations focus mainly on lottery sales. Retailers may include neighbourhood corner stores, smoke shops, lottery kiosks, bingo halls, and independent retailers licensed exclusively for lottery sales.
Online
For added convenience, lottery tickets can be purchased online at alc.ca for some games including Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and Atlantic 49. Players register for an online account to buy tickets and check results. Ticket purchases can also be set up on subscription.
Notable Lottery Wins in New Brunswick History
Over the decades, there have been some remarkable lottery wins by New Brunswickers:
The province’s first lotto millionaire
In 1984, Leo LaPierre, a self-employed mechanic from Dieppe, became the first person in New Brunswick to win $1 million playing the lottery. He won a $1 million jackpot in the Superloto draw. At the time, it was the biggest individual lottery prize ever won in the province.
$3.2 million Atlantic 49 prize
In 2013, Colleen Campbell from Quispamsis split a $6.4 million Atlantic 49 jackpot with a ticket holder from Nova Scotia. Her half of the prize was $3.2 million which stands as one of the largest lottery wins in the province from a regional game.
$7.4 million Lotto 6/49 payout
A couple from Saint John hit a massive $7.4 million jackpot back in 1995 on Lotto 6/49. It remained the biggest Lotto 6/49 prize awarded in the province for over a decade.
$17.4 million Lotto Max winner
In 2020, Peter and Tina Francis from Moncton claimed a $17.4 million Lotto Max prize, tying the record for the largest lottery jackpot in New Brunswick’s history at the time. Their ticket was one number away from the full $70 million jackpot.
$60.8 million Lotto Max victory
The current record lottery win in New Brunswick is $60.8 million from the July 2022 Lotto Max draw. Raymond Lillington, a retail worker from Quispamsis, claimed the massive jackpot which was the biggest Lotto Max prize awarded nationally in 2022.
These headline-making lottery wins demonstrate the life-changing jackpots that are possible, even though the odds of lottery riches are extremely long. Big lottery dreams can come true for some lucky ticket holders.
Notable Lottery Winners by Region
New Brunswick is divided into 7 lottery claim centres serving defined geographic zones of the province. Here are some of the notable major prize winners over the years by lottery region:
Moncton Region
– $17.4 million Lotto Max winner in 2020 (Tina and Peter Francis of Moncton)
– $250,000 Chase the Ace regional jackpot in 2017 (Paul Whalen of Riverview)
Saint John Region
– $7.4 million Lotto 6/49 winners in 1995 (Saint John couple)
– $3.1 million Lotto 6/49 win in 2005 (Brenda Grass of Rothesay)
Edmundston Region
– $4 million 6/49 payout in 2009 (Jeannette Cormier of Edmundston)
– $1.75 million Super 7 jackpot in 1998 split by 13 workers (Edmundston)
Restigouche Region
– $8.5 million Lotto 6/49 prize in 2007 (Roger Savoie of Balmoral)
– $3.2 million Atlantic 49 jackpot in 2008 (Paulin Couturier of Campbellton)
Miramichi Region
– $17.4 million Lotto 6/49 winners in 2017 (Murray and Michele Watson of Miramichi)
– $840,913 Chase the Ace prize in 2019 (Shane Gogan of Blackville)
Fredericton Region
– $3.6 million Lotto 6/49 payout in 2017 (Cathy and Paul Robichaud of Fredericton)
– $1.75 million Super 7 prize in 2001 (Douglas King of Nackawic)
Bathurst Region
– $11.3 million Lotto 6/49 winners in 2010 (Darrel and Kathryn Richards of Norton)
– $1.4 million Chase the Ace jackpot in 2019 (Roger Lebreton of Bathurst)
Major lottery winners have come from cities, towns, and rural communities in all corners of the province over the past five decades. Anywhere a ticket is sold, a major payday could happen for a lucky resident.
Noteworthy Lottery Retailers in New Brunswick
Some retailers across New Brunswick have developed reputations for selling more major winning lottery tickets than others. Here are a few lottery retailers of note in the province:
Crombie’s Your Independent Grocer, Quispamsis
This grocery store on Losier Road sold a $60.8 million winning Lotto Max ticket in 2022, the largest lottery prize ever in New Brunswick. It has previously sold other wins of $100,000 or more.
Needs Convenience, Riverview
In 2017, this shop on Coverdale Road sold a ticket worth $17.4 million, one of the top Lotto Max prizes. It has sold several other tickets over the years with big payouts.
Madison’s Your Independent Grocer, Perth-Andover
A major Lotto 6/49 ticket worth $3.6 million was sold here in 2017. This grocer has a reputation as a lucky retailer in the western part of the province.
Advocate Convenience, Advocate Harbour
Despite its small village location, this retailer has sold multiple major winning tickets over the years including a $3 million Atlantic 49 jackpot in 2019.
Corr’s Corner Convenience, Hampton
In 2021, this retailer gained attention for selling a Lotto Max ticket worth $19 million, one of the largest prizes awarded that year nationally.
While ticket sales are ultimately based on chance, some retailers have built a reputation for generating significant big prize winners locally or regionally over time.
How Lottery Proceeds Are Used in New Brunswick
All profits from Atlantic Lottery games in New Brunswick go back to the provincial government where the money supports programs, projects, and other government expenditures. Here is a look at how lottery revenues are used:
General government revenue
A large portion of net lottery profits in New Brunswick flow into the province’s consolidated fund which is used to pay for general government operations and services. Lottery profits help support healthcare, education, infrastructure, and more.
Hospital and municipal funding
Certain lottery proceeds are designated to provide funding to New Brunswick municipalities as well as hospital foundations and community health care foundations across the province. These organizations can use the money to enhance facilities, equipment, and community health programs locally.
Sport funding
Some lottery funding goes to the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture where it helps support participation in sport at recreational and competitive levels across New Brunswick. Provincial sport organizations receive financial assistance for their programming.
Charitable support
A small portion of lottery profits are distributed to charities in New Brunswick through the Community Fund program administered by the Department of Finance and Treasury Board. It provides grants in support of charitable work across the province.
Between 1974 and 2021, Atlantic Lottery has generated over $6.4 billion in total profit that has gone back to the four Atlantic provinces including New Brunswick. Lottery games have contributed important funding support to communities province-wide over the decades.
Odds of Winning Major Lottery Games in New Brunswick
Playing the lottery always involves long odds of winning the top prizes. Here are the approximate odds of winning a major jackpot for some popular New Brunswick lottery games:
Lotto 6/49
– Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 13,983,816
Lotto Max
– Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 33,294,800
Atlantic 49
– Odds of winning jackpot: 1 in 13,915,744
Atlantic TAG
– Odds of winning top prize: 1 in 466,200
As shown, the chances of hitting the big jackpot are extremely low for Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and Atlantic 49. A player is much more likely to win smaller prizes at the lower prize levels. TAG offers better overall odds but with a smaller top prize. The odds should be carefully considered when playing.
Buying Lottery Tickets Responsibly
Lottery games in New Brunswick are meant to be fun entertainment. However, there are some important considerations for responsible play:
– Only spend what you can comfortably afford on lottery tickets. Avoid excessive spending.
– Balance lottery play with other entertainment expenses.
– Set a budget for lottery tickets and stick to it.
– Don’t borrow money or use rent/bill money on lottery tickets.
– Don’t let lottery play become an unhealthy habit or obsession.
– Understand your odds of winning are very low. Don’t expect to profit.
– Minors under the age of 19 cannot play lottery games in New Brunswick.
– If gambling is problematic, help resources are available provincially and nationally.
Playing the lottery responsibly means being an informed consumer and keeping lottery expenditures reasonable. This ensures lottery games maintain their role as recreational entertainment.
Conclusion
The lottery in New Brunswick has evolved since 1974 into a major offering of various regional and national lottery games managed by the Atlantic Lottery Corporation. Tickets can conveniently be purchased at hundreds of retail locations across the province as well as online. Major prizes ranging from hundreds of thousands up to multimillions have been won over the decades. While the odds of winning are low, lottery dreams can come true. Revenues from lottery games support important government programs and services benefiting communities across the province. When played responsibly and in moderation, lottery games can provide fun and excitement to players while also giving them the chance to win big. The lottery in New Brunswick continues to deliver entertaining dreams, community funding, and life-changing jackpots.
