More than three months after a record setting Lotto Max draw, two winners from London, Ontario have stepped forward to claim Ontario’s largest ever lottery jackpot of $80 million. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation confirmed the prize is now in the verification process, with the identities of the winners expected to be released once official checks are completed.
The winning ticket was purchased at a retail location rather than through the lottery’s mobile platform, and officials say it is not unusual for winners of major jackpots to wait before coming forward. According to OLG representatives, winners of prizes ranging from $50 million to $80 million often take time to consult family members, financial advisors and legal professionals before claiming their winnings and making long term decisions about their finances.
Lottery officials also noted that the emotional impact of such a large prize can lead to hesitation. Some winners repeatedly check their tickets before starting the claim process, while others prefer to avoid drawing attention at retail terminals that announce large wins. In some cases, winners have stored tickets securely in safety deposit boxes or hidden them until they are ready to complete the claim process at OLG’s prize centre in Toronto.
Players in Ontario have up to one year from the date of a draw to claim a lottery prize, and officials encourage winners to sign their tickets immediately to help prevent disputes over ownership. Even if a ticket is damaged, OLG maintains specialised verification procedures that can help reconstruct and confirm the legitimacy of a winning ticket when supporting information is available.
Although large prizes are usually claimed, some jackpots remain uncollected. OLG reported that the largest unclaimed prize in Ontario history was a $70 million ticket sold in 2022 that was never verified by a legitimate claimant. When major prizes go unclaimed, the funds are returned to the lottery’s prize pool. Credit.
