The Ontario 49 is a lottery game exclusive to the province of Ontario, Canada. It is drawn twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The main draw consists of 6 numbers drawn from 1 to 49. To win the main jackpot, a ticket must match all 6 numbers. There are also various smaller prizes for matching 3, 4 or 5 numbers. The Ontario 49 also has a Guaranteed Million Draw consisting of a 7-digit number. Matching this number wins $1 million. With several ways to win, the Ontario 49 provides many chances for players to take home cash prizes. But what are the specific payouts for each prize? Here we will explore the payout structure and odds of winning the different prizes in the Ontario 49 lottery.
Main 6/49 Prize Payout
The main prize in the 6/49 draw is won by matching all 6 numbers. The payout for this top prize is a jackpot starting at $5 million and growing until someone wins it. The jackpot can grow into tens of millions before being won. Once the jackpot is claimed, the prize resets to $5 million to start over again.
For example, if no one matches all 6 numbers for several weeks, the jackpot could grow to $25 million. Whoever matches all 6 numbers for that draw would win the entire $25 million jackpot.
The winner can choose to take the full jackpot amount over 26 annual payments, or take a one-time lump sum payment of roughly 50% of the advertised jackpot. For a $25 million top prize, the lump sum payout would be around $12.5 million.
The overall odds of winning the main 6/49 jackpot are approximately 1 in 13,983,816 per $1 play. This makes matching all 6 numbers a very difficult feat, but also accounts for how the top prize can grow so large. With millions of people playing twice a week across the province, it often takes months before someone finally hits the jackpot.
Secondary Prize Payouts
While matching all 6 numbers is rare, the 6/49 game does offer secondary prizes at much better odds for matching a portion of the winning numbers:
Match 5/6 Numbers
Matching 5 of 6 numbers wins a secondary prize of at least $100,000. The payout increases if there are multiple winners, up to $250,000. The odds of winning this prize are around 1 in 2,330,636 per $1 play.
Match 4/6 Numbers
Matching 4 of 6 numbers wins a payout of $100. The odds are 1 in 56,491 per $1 play.
Match 3/6 Numbers
Matching 3 of 6 numbers wins a free play for another draw. Odds are 1 in 820 per $1 play.
So while the main 6-number jackpot is elusive, matching 5 numbers for a big secondary prize or 4 numbers for a small payout is more achievable for players. The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 6.6 per $1 play.
Guaranteed $1 Million Prize Payout
The Ontario 49 also gives players a chance to win $1 million in the Guaranteed Million Draw. This is a separate 7-digit number drawn along with the main numbers. Matching this number wins $1 million guaranteed, even if there are multiple winners.
For matching the 7-digit number, the odds are 1 in 6,634,880 per $1 play. While still rare, the odds of winning $1 million here are much more favorable than for the main 6-number jackpot. The $1 million prize is a nice fixed payout for players to aim for.
Prize Payout Summary
| Prize | Odds of Winning (per $1 play) | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Match 6/6 Numbers (Main Jackpot) | 1 in 13,983,816 | $5+ million (grows until won) |
| Match 5/6 Numbers | 1 in 2,330,636 | $100,000-$250,000 |
| Match 4/6 Numbers | 1 in 56,491 | $100 |
| Match 3/6 Numbers | 1 in 820 | Free play |
| Match 7-digit number (Guaranteed $1 Million Draw) | 1 in 6,634,880 | $1 million |
As shown in the summary, the Ontario 49 lottery provides a nice mix of prizes at various odds. While hitting the multi-million dollar 6-number jackpot is a long shot, matching 5 numbers for a sizable payout or the $1 million prize number is more attainable. And secondary prizes for matching 4 or 3 numbers give players the chance to win something. When you purchase an Ontario 49 ticket, you have possibilities at several prizes and payouts.
Factors that Affect Payouts
While the published odds provide an estimate of your chances, there are some factors that can affect the actual payouts:
Number of Winners
If there are multiple winners of a particular prize, the payout may be split or reduced based on the number of winners. For example, the advertised $100,000 prize for matching 5 numbers could decrease to $75,000 if there are 4 winners.
Ticket Sales
The size of the jackpot is driven by ticket sales and how many draws occur without a 6-number winner. Larger jackpots will build when ticket sales are high and no one claims the top prize for several weeks.
Pot Size
A larger prize pool leads to bigger payouts. Occasionally, maxmillions prizes will augment the pot and allow for bigger jackpots and prize amounts.
So while the stated prize payouts and odds serve as a guide, the actual payouts can vary slightly from draw to draw. But the Ontario 49 consistently provides players with an excellent chance of winning from thousands up to multi-millions of dollars.
Tips for Playing Ontario 49
Here are some tips that may improve your chances of winning an Ontario 49 prize:
Play Consistently
The more tickets you buy, the better your odds. Playing every draw or multiple tickets each draw increases your chances versus playing sporadically. Think of playing the lottery like paying into an entertainment fund over months and years rather than trying to win immediately on one ticket.
Join a Pool or Syndicate
Pooling money and ticket purchases with a group of people improves your odds. More number combinations can be played than you could afford individually. Any prizes are shared, but your chances of winning improve.
Use Quick Pick
Letting the lottery terminal randomly generate your numbers, also known as Quick Pick, ensures your number selection is completely random. Humans often unintentionally pick numbers in patterns that won’t likely be drawn. Quick Pick avoids any biases.
Mix It Up
Don’t use the same numbers every draw. While some numbers may seem “lucky” and you’ll want to play them, make sure to vary your number selection. The same combo is very unlikely to be picked twice.
Purchase Bonus Tickets
Take advantage of bonus tickets given out by retailers and lottery promotions. Bonus tickets essentially give you extra plays for free. More chances to play can lead to more chances to win.
Check Your Tickets
Make sure to carefully check any lottery tickets you purchase. All prizes can be claimed up to one year from the draw date. You want to catch any winners before time runs out.
Probabilities of Multiple Winners
With millions of people playing Ontario 49 twice a week, there is a chance of multiple winners for some of the prize categories. What are the probabilities of shared payouts?
Main 6/49 Jackpot
The probability of multiple winners of the main jackpot is extremely low. With odds of 1 in almost 14 million, it is very rare for two or more players to match all 6 numbers. There has never been more than 1 jackpot winner in a single draw in Ontario 49 history. A solo winner is by far the most likely scenario when the big jackpot is hit.
Match 5/6 Numbers
The odds of multiple winners sharing the second prize for matching 5 numbers are higher, but still unlikely. There is roughly a 5-10% chance of 2-4 winners splitting this prize in a given draw. But usually this $100,000-$250,000 prize is won by just one ticket.
Match 4/6 Numbers
It is more common to have multiple winners when matching 4 numbers for the $100 prize. With odds of 1 in 56,491 per play, typically 25-50 players will match 4 numbers in each draw. But since each winner still receives the full $100 payout, multiple winners have minimal impact.
Guaranteed $1 Million Prize
Odds of 1 in 6.6 million make it improbable for multiple tickets to match the Guaranteed Million Draw number. It is extremely rare for this $1 million prize to have more than one winner.
So while having to split a prize is more likely for the secondary payouts than the jackpot, multiple winners are still unlikely in most draws. Players can usually expect to keep the full announced prize amounts. And with two chances a week to win, the odds are in favor of big payouts being awarded regularly to lucky Ontario 49 players.
Changes to Prizes and Odds
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation does periodically adjust aspects of its lottery games, including prize amounts and odds. Here is a look back at some notable changes made to payouts and odds for Ontario 49 over the years:
1982 Launch
Ontario 49 began in 1982 with a 6/36 format – players picked 6 numbers from 1 to 36, and draws took place once weekly. The starting jackpot was $500,000, growing by $100,000 each week it wasn’t won. Matching 5 numbers won $1,000. It cost $1 per play. Overall odds of winning a prize were 1 in 9.
1992 Format Change
In 1992, the game changed to the current 6/49 format with the larger field of numbers from 1 to 49. The starting jackpot increased to $2 million. Matching 5 numbers won at least $50,000. Plays cost $1 each and overall odds improved to 1 in 6.
2006 Price and Prize Increase
In 2006, the cost per play went up to $2. This doubled the size of all prizes. The starting jackpot became $5 million and matching 5 numbers now won at least $100,000. Overall odds stayed at 1 in 6 per $2 play.
2015 Introduction of Guaranteed $1 Million Prize
A major revamp occurred in 2015 with the addition of the Guaranteed $1 Million Prize Draw. This gave players a fixed $1 million payout to play for in addition to the main jackpot and other prizes. The overall chances of winning improved to 1 in 6.6.
2022 Better Overall Odds
In May 2022, the advertised odds for Ontario 49 improved again, from 1 in 6.6 to 1 in 6. This made prizes even easier to win.
While adjustments have occurred over time, the core 6/49 structure has remained popular and provided impressive payouts for over 30 years. Ontario Lottery continues to enhance the game’s prizes and odds to give players the best chance to win.
Biggest Ontario 49 Jackpots
With jackpots starting at $5 million and rolling over when not won, the Ontario 49 has produced some massive top prizes. Here are the 5 biggest 6/49 jackpots awarded to date:
1. $64 Million – October 2005
The all-time record jackpot reached $64 million over a span of more than 2 months without a winner. A group of 16 coworkers finally claimed the record prize.
2. $63.4 Million – April 2013
This jackpot took over 3 months to grow to $63.4 million before one lucky couple from Brampton won the enormous prize.
3. $50 Million – February 2009
One winning ticket claimed this jackpot that had rolled over for about 10 weeks.
4. $48 Million – October 2021
After this jackpot exceeded $48 million, a group from Mississauga shared the massive prize.
5. $47 Million – June 2007
A Brampton man won the entire $47 million himself after playing the same numbers for 20 years.
Ontario 49 has minted dozens of multi-millionaires, thanks to these huge jackpot rolls. With the potential to eclipse $60+ million again, it may only be a matter of time before another record jackpot is hit!
Noteworthy Ontario 49 Prize Winners
Beyond just the top jackpots, the Ontario 49 has produced many remarkable prize wins over the past 30+ years:
– November 2022 – Toronto
A Toronto woman won $5 million just one week after her friend won $1 million. Talk about beginner’s luck times two!
– September 2022 – Burlington
A retired steelworker claimed a $9.6 million jackpot just using numbers based on family birthdates.
– January 2022 – Ottawa
An Ottawa couple scored $8.7 million on their regular weekly play.
– July 2021 – Stratford
A retiree who had played consistently for 20 years finally won a $9.6 million jackpot.
– March 2021 – Brantford
Someone who purchased their ticket on Brantford won half the $28 million jackpot with a ticket bought in Brampton.
– December 2020 – Meaford
A Meaford resident waited 10 months before realizing they had won $21 million on a ticket stashed away.
– May 2019 – Trenton
A Trenton couple scored $7 million on the man’s first ever lottery ticket gift from his wife.
– January 2019 – Toronto
A Toronto hospital worker cried tears of joy after winning the $7 million jackpot on her coffee break.
– June 2018 – Ottawa
An Ottawa couple planning retirement won a massive $65 million jackpot.
The Ontario 49 has delivered life-changing sums to players all across the province. You just never know when luck will strike!
The Ontario 49’s Positive Impact
While the Ontario 49 offers millions in prizes to players, it also raises significant revenue for government programs and services. Since 1982, the lottery has generated over $17 billion for the province of Ontario.
Annual profits from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation provide the Ontario government with over $2 billion per year on average. By playing its lottery games, OLG provides Ontarians with entertainment and the chance at prizes while also benefitting the province as a whole.
Some examples of how Ontario 49 revenue makes a difference:
– Healthcare –
Funding for hospitals, medical equipment, and health initiatives.
– Education –
Support for colleges, universities, student assistance programs, and literacy programs.
– Communities –
Funding for amateur sports, arts organizations, cultural festivals, and local infrastructure.
– Environment –
Conservation and sustainability efforts across Ontario.
So while the Ontario 49 offers millions in cash prizes, its revenue also provides indirect benefits to Ontarians in the form of social services, jobs, economic growth and more. Playing the lottery here not only helps individuals win, but helps the province at large.
Conclusion
With jackpots consistently reaching the tens of millions and secondary prizes up to $250,000, the Ontario 49 gives players excellent odds at exciting payouts twice a week. Add in the fixed $1 million prize and overall chances of 1 in 6 at winning something, and the lottery provides ample ways to win. Just be sure to get your tickets before the 9:30pm Eastern Time cut-off on Wednesday and Saturday evenings for your chance to become Ontario 49’s next big winner!