In a major overhaul, Lotto Max in Canada is set to increase its jackpot cap from $80 million to $90 million, effective April 14, 2026. This change comes alongside a price increase for a Lotto Max play from $5 to $6, marking the first price adjustment in 17 years since the game’s inception in 2009.
Each $6 play will now include four selections of seven numbers, expanding the options for players. Additionally, new $100,000 MAXPLUS prizes will be introduced in every draw, with the number of prizes directly linked to the jackpot amount. For instance, players can expect 25 MAXPLUS prizes of $100,000 each for the upcoming April 14 draw.
The overall odds of winning any Lotto Max prize will improve from approximately 1 in 7 to 1 in 5.8, enhancing the chances for participants. However, the odds of winning the main jackpot will slightly change from approximately 1 in 33,294,800 to 1 in 33,446,140 per play.
As the Lotto Max game has been a staple in Canadian lottery culture since 2009, these changes are poised to attract more players and increase engagement. Observers are keenly watching how these adjustments will affect ticket sales and player participation in the coming draws.
For the Tuesday, April 14 draw, players will have the opportunity to compete for a $25 million jackpot, alongside the newly introduced MAXPLUS prizes. The structure of the MAXPLUS prizes will scale with the jackpot; for example, at a $10 million jackpot, 10 additional $100,000 prizes will be drawn, and this increases to 90 additional prizes when the jackpot reaches $90 million.
These changes reflect a strategic move by lottery officials to enhance the appeal of Lotto Max, particularly as competition in the lottery space intensifies. With the new features, players are expected to have a more engaging experience, potentially leading to increased ticket purchases.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term impact of these changes on player behavior and lottery revenues, but the immediate response from the public is anticipated to be significant.