Everywhere you went in Moncton on Friday, there was a reminder about the evening’s record jackpot draw. Billboards on Main Street, lineups at kiosks and busier than normal lottery counters at convenience stores. Friday’s Lotto Max jackpot has hit $90 million for the first time, a record-setting amount. The new Lotto Max was introduced this spring and the jackpot grew over the previous maximum this week. Atlantic Lottery spokesperson Lindsay Meekins said there’s been a ton of excitement all week long. “This is the first time since the new Lotto Max launched earlier this year that the jackpot has grown above the previous $80 million cap. So, to be at a record-breaking $90 million is very exciting for all of us here at Atlantic Lottery and our players as well,” said Meekins. Meekins said when the jackpots are high, ticket sales are high as the two go hand in hand. “Players that choose to play Lotto Max enjoy the chance to win higher jackpots and Lotto Max consistently shows us that sales are higher when the jackpot grows, especially when it’s above $50 million,” said Meekins. “We know there’s been an increase in sales this week. We’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from our retail partners about the excitement around the jackpot from our players.” Lynn Read has worked at the Atlantic Lottery kiosk in Champlain Mall in Dieppe for years and said this week has been very busy. “More than normal. Every day, busy,” said Read. Read said many customers will take a minute to tell her what they would do with the fortune. “Everyone has a dream. They talk about that,” said Read. “Even though they’re buying, they’re like, ‘Oh, I’ll buy, but it’s going to go to Ontario,’ but we still buy.” Noella Robichaud was one of dozens of people who stopped by the kiosk during the lunch hour to purchase a ticket. “I would share with my family,” said Robichaud. “I have a charity that is close to my heart and it would get a lot of it, too.” Zoey Mallett said she would pay for her education and then take care of her family. “I would pay off my tuition and I also would probably give some to my grandparents as well and buy some stuff for my family,” said Mallett. Annie Arsenault would buy herself some land and a house. “My family could live on the land and self-provide. That would be a big thing,” said Arsenault. Evan Folland would help the less fortunate and then fulfill a lifelong goal. “I’d help the homeless and buy a house. And go on a trip.” Winning the main prize is the longest of long shots and the odds are not in their favour, but secondary prizes are certainly more within reach. “The approximate odds of winning the jackpot are about one in 33.4 million per $6 play on Lotto Max, but the odds of winning any prize overall are one in five-point-eight,” said Meekins. There are also 18 prizes of $1 million and 90 prizes of $100,000 to be given out. If there are no lucky winners for the big prize Friday night, it will remain available for the next draw on Tuesday, but the jackpot is capped at $90 million. The secondary prize pool will also grow to 20 winners of $1 million. Meekins has been part of numerous cheque presentations at the Atlantic Lottery headquarters in Moncton and said it’s incredibly exciting to celebrate the winners from the region. “It’s really why we come to work every day and do what we do. It’s so exciting to share that moment with our players. See how those prizes can change people’s lives and be along with them for that celebration,” said Meekins. The largest lottery jackpot awarded in Atlantic Canada was $64 million in 2024. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
