Canadians who play Lotto Max will soon notice several updates to the popular lottery, including a higher ticket price, additional number selections, and modest improvements to the chances of winning smaller prizes. The changes are scheduled to take effect on April 10 and are part of a broader adjustment to how the game is structured.
Under the updated format, the cost of a Lotto Max ticket will increase from $5 to $6. In return, each ticket will now include four lines instead of three. Players will also select seven numbers from a pool of 52 numbers, rather than the previous 50, slightly altering how the game operates on each individual play.
According to Michael Wallace, an associate professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at University of Waterloo, the changes are designed to modestly increase the expected value of each ticket in line with the higher purchase price. He explained that while selecting numbers from a larger pool slightly lowers the chances of winning per individual line, the extra play included with each ticket helps balance the overall odds.
Despite the adjustments, the probability of winning the jackpot will remain largely the same. The odds will shift only slightly, moving from approximately one in 33.3 million to about one in 33.4 million per ticket. However, players may notice a small improvement in their chances of winning lower tier prizes such as free plays or smaller cash amounts, with the overall odds of winning any prize improving from roughly one in seven to about one in 5.8.
The updated format will also introduce additional $100,000 prize opportunities linked to jackpot size, similar to existing MaxMillions draws. While these prizes offer extra winning possibilities, Wallace noted that the chances of securing one remain very small and are unlikely to significantly affect a player’s overall probability of success.
Another notable change is the increase to the game’s jackpot ceiling. The maximum Lotto Max jackpot will rise from $80 million to $90 million, giving players the chance to compete for even larger prizes as the lottery enters its next phase.
