A record $90-million Lotto Max jackpot is up for grabs Friday, giving players a chance to win the largest jackpot in Canadian history and sparking dreams of everything from helping family to buying a luxury sports car. The Oct. 16 draw also includes an estimated 18 Maxmillions prizes worth $1 million each and 90 Maxplus prizes of $100,000 each, bringing the total top prizes on offer to $117 million, according to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). For some players, the possibility of a life-changing win means looking after loved ones and giving back to their communities. Mike Gosselin plays a combination of his “lucky” numbers, including birthdays and numbers he says have won at the roulette table. “If I win it’s all planned out,” he says. “I’ll take care of the family for sure, that’s enough money for generations, and charities as well, I’d really want to give back as much as I can.” For those with a taste for luxury cars, the jackpot could also open the door to some rare and expensive vehicles. At Mark Motors in Ottawa, sales executive Nicholas Bradley says the Porsche dealership already has experience working with lottery winners. “No doubt we’ve attracted a few of them over the years,” he says, while pointing out a possible purchase for what could be the countries newest millionaire, a Porsche GT2 RS, listed for $1.2 million. “We’re hoping that whoever wins that jackpot maybe comes down and buys this car from us. Something like this is quite special and would be perfect.” Despite the big dreams, the odds of winning the main jackpot remain steep. Each $6 Lotto Max play includes four selections of seven numbers, with each number ranging from 1 to 52. The odds of winning the jackpot with a single play are approximately one in 33.4 million. There are, however, other chances to win a prize through the additional Maxmillions and Maxplus draws. OLG says Lotto Max players in Ontario have won more than $10 billion since the game launched in 2009, including 125 jackpot wins and 1,011 Maxmillions prizes across the province. Players can purchase tickets through OLG.ca or authorized retailers until 10:30 p.m. on draw night. “We urge everyone to check their tickets as soon as the draw is done, so tomorrow morning please check your tickets because we don’t want any money left on the table because right now, we have a $40 million ticket that is about to expire. It will expire on October 28, and it was sold in Grey County,” says Tony Bitoni, OLG director of media relations. “One hundred per cent of OLG profits go back to the province and ultimately into your community through healthcare, through education, through amateur sports, so when you do check your ticket and it says not a winner, you actually are a winner because you are contributing back to the province of Ontario.”
