Last Updated On 4 March 2026, 9:02 AM EST (Toronto Time)
A massive Lotto Max jackpot winning ticket worth $75 million from the Tuesday, March 3, 2026 draw was sold in Ontario.
This was one of the largest lottery prizes available in Canada this year. The jackpot had been rolling over for weeks.
It attracted unprecedented ticket sales across the country before one lucky player matched all seven numbers.
Here is everything we know about the winning ticket, the draw results, and what this means for future Lotto Max players.
Table of Contents
Where Was the Winning Lotto Max Ticket Sold?
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation confirmed the big news.
The $75 million winning Lotto Max ticket was purchased at a retail location somewhere in Ontario.
The exact store where the ticket was sold has not yet been disclosed.
OLG typically releases this information after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
This process can take anywhere from a few days to several months.
Ontario has been on an incredible hot streak for lottery wins. The province accounts for roughly 40 percent of national lottery ticket sales.
It consistently produces more jackpot winners than any other region in Canada.
Recent major Ontario Lotto Max wins include a $55 million jackpot claimed in January 2026 and an $80 million prize that was split between Ontario and Quebec in late 2024.
The province has produced over 120 Lotto Max jackpot winners since the game launched in 2009.
Lotto Max Winning Numbers for March 3, 2026
The winning numbers from the Tuesday, March 3, 2026 Lotto Max draw were as follows:
- Main numbers: 1, 3, 4, 18, 20, 23, 31
- Bonus number: 2
Players who matched all seven main numbers won the $75 million jackpot. Those who matched six numbers plus the bonus took home $288,056.30 each.
The draw also featured 12 MaxMillions prizes. Each MaxMillions prize is worth $1 million.
Two of these prizes were won in Ontario during the same draw. This means Ontario players collectively took home over $77 million from a single evening.
Complete Prize Breakdown from the March 3 Draw
The March 3, 2026 Lotto Max draw generated over $36 million in ticket sales.
More than 1 million tickets won prizes at various levels.
Here is the complete breakdown of winners and payouts.
- Matching all 7 numbers awarded the $75 million jackpot. There was one winner located in Ontario.
- Matching 6 numbers plus the bonus paid $288,056.30. There was one winner located in Western Canada.
- Matching 6 numbers paid $4,500.90 each. There were 64 winners across Canada.
- Matching 5 numbers plus the bonus paid $855.60 each. There were 202 winners.
- Matching 5 numbers paid $93.60 each. There were 4,308 winners.
- Matching 4 numbers plus the bonus paid $44.20 each. There were 7,169 winners.
- Matching 4 numbers paid $20 each. There were 91,733 winners.
- Matching 3 numbers plus the bonus paid $20 each. There were 93,887 winners.
- Matching 3 numbers won a free play ticket. There were 875,815 winners.
The total prize payout from this single draw exceeded $80 million. This includes the jackpot, all secondary prizes, and the two MaxMillions wins.
MaxMillions Results from March 3, 2026
When the Lotto Max jackpot exceeds $50 million, additional MaxMillions draws are added.
These give players extra chances to win $1 million prizes.
The March 3 draw featured 12 MaxMillions prizes. Two were won during this draw. Both winning tickets were sold in Ontario.
The winning MaxMillions numbers were spread across 12 different combinations.
Players needed to match all seven numbers exactly to claim a MaxMillions prize. There are no secondary prizes for partial MaxMillions matches.
The 10 unclaimed MaxMillions prizes will carry forward. They will be added to the prize pool for the next draw on Friday, March 6.
Regional Breakdown of March 3 Lotto Max Winners
Lottery players from every province participated in the March 3 draw. Here is how the winners were distributed across Canada.
Ontario had 455,584 winning tickets. The total amount won in Ontario was $77,044,670.80.
This includes the $75 million jackpot and two $1 million MaxMillions prizes.
Western Canada had 213,220 winning tickets. The total amount won was $1,320,797. This includes the second prize of $288,056.30.
Quebec had 200,008 winning tickets. The total amount won was $909,835.10.
British Columbia had 151,101 winning tickets. The total amount won was $661,119.20.
Atlantic Canada had 53,267 winning tickets. The total amount won was $245,021.60.
Ontario dominated this particular draw. The province accounted for over 96 percent of the total prize money distributed.
What Happens to the Jackpot Now?
The Lotto Max jackpot resets after a winner is confirmed. The next draw on Friday, March 6, 2026 will feature a fresh jackpot of approximately $20 million.
This is how Lotto Max is designed to work. The minimum jackpot starts at $10 million. It grows with each draw until someone wins. Once claimed, the cycle begins again.
The Friday draw will not have any MaxMillions prizes. These only appear when the jackpot exceeds $50 million.
However, 10 unclaimed MaxMillions from previous draws will roll into the jackpot pool.
How the Winner Can Claim Their Prize
The person holding the winning $75 million ticket has important steps to follow. OLG has specific procedures for large prize claims.
First, sign the back of your ticket immediately. This establishes ownership and protects against theft or loss.
Second, keep the ticket in a secure location. Consider a safe deposit box or fireproof safe until you are ready to claim.
Third, contact OLG directly to arrange your prize claim. Prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at OLG headquarters in Toronto.
Fourth, bring valid government-issued photo identification. You will also need your Social Insurance Number for tax purposes.
Winners have exactly one year from the draw date to claim their prize. After that deadline passes, unclaimed prizes are forfeited. They are redirected to provincial programs and charities.
OLG may publish the winner’s name, city, and photo after the prize is claimed. This is standard procedure for major jackpots.
Some winners have successfully requested limited publicity, though complete anonymity is not guaranteed in Ontario.
Tax Implications for Canadian Lottery Winners
One major advantage of winning the lottery in Canada is the tax treatment. Lottery winnings are not considered taxable income by the Canada Revenue Agency.
The $75 million prize will be paid out in full. The winner receives the entire amount without federal or provincial tax deductions.
However, any interest or investment income earned on the winnings is taxable. If the winner deposits $75 million and earns 4 percent annual interest, that $3 million in interest would be subject to income tax.
Winners are strongly advised to consult with financial advisors and tax professionals. Proper planning can help maximize the benefit of a major windfall while staying compliant with CRA regulations.
History of Lotto Max Jackpots
Lotto Max launched on September 19, 2009. It replaced the previous Lotto Super 7 game.
The new format was designed to offer larger jackpots and better odds of winning secondary prizes.
The game has undergone several changes since launch. The maximum jackpot was originally capped at $50 million.
This increased to $60 million in 2015, then $70 million in 2019, and finally $80 million in September 2024.
Starting in April 2026, the cap will increase again to $90 million. A new MaxPlus feature will also be introduced.
This will add $100,000 auxiliary prizes for every million dollars in the main jackpot.
The largest Lotto Max jackpot ever offered was $80 million. This milestone was first reached in September 2024. That prize was split between two winning tickets sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Ontario has been the most successful province for Lotto Max jackpots.
Players in the province have won over $9.7 billion in prizes since 2009. This includes 120 jackpot wins and nearly 1,000 MaxMillions prizes.
Recent Big Lotto Max Winners
Several notable Lotto Max jackpots have been won in recent months. Here are some of the biggest prizes claimed in 2025 and early 2026.
In August 2025, David Hatt of Kingston, Ontario won $75 million. This was the largest Lotto Max jackpot ever claimed by a single winner in Ontario.
Hatt discovered his win while scanning his ticket on the OLG app at a coffee shop drive-through.
In January 2026, a winning ticket worth $55 million was sold in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell in eastern Ontario.
Another $15 million jackpot was won in Brant County around the same time.
Quebec has also seen significant wins. A $14 million jackpot was claimed earlier in 2026.
Multiple MaxMillions prizes have been won across the province throughout the year.
Western Canada claimed an $80 million jackpot in late 2025. British Columbia has produced several multimillion-dollar winners as well.
How to Play Lotto Max
Lotto Max draws take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 PM Eastern Time.
Tickets must be purchased before the cutoff to be eligible for that evening’s draw.
Each Lotto Max play costs $5. This gets you three sets of seven numbers.
You can choose your own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick where the terminal randomly generates them.
Numbers are selected from a pool of 1 to 50. You must match all seven numbers to win the jackpot.
The bonus number only applies to secondary prize tiers.
Players can add Extra or Encore to their ticket for an additional $1. These are regional add-on games with separate prizes up to $1 million depending on your province.
Tickets can be purchased at authorized lottery retailers across Canada. This includes convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and dedicated lottery kiosks.
Online purchases are available through provincial lottery websites like OLG.ca and PlayNow.com.
Odds of Winning Lotto Max
The odds of winning any Lotto Max prize are approximately 1 in 7. This means roughly one out of every seven tickets will win something, even if it is just a free play.
However, the odds of winning the jackpot are much longer. You have approximately a 1 in 33 million chance of matching all seven numbers on any single selection.
Since each $5 play includes three selections, your odds improve slightly. The effective odds become about 1 in 11 million per $5 ticket purchased.
MaxMillions prizes have the same 1 in 33 million odds per selection. However, multiple MaxMillions draws give you more chances when the jackpot is high.
The second prize for matching 6 plus the bonus has odds of about 1 in 4.8 million per selection. Matching 6 numbers without the bonus has odds of approximately 1 in 113,000.
Looking Ahead to Future Draws
The next Lotto Max draw takes place on Friday, March 6, 2026. The estimated jackpot is $20 million.
Without MaxMillions prizes in play, this draw will be more straightforward. The jackpot will continue growing until someone wins. New MaxMillions will be added once it exceeds $50 million again.
April 2026 will bring exciting changes to the game. The maximum jackpot increases to $90 million. The new MaxPlus feature will offer additional prize opportunities.
Players should continue checking their tickets from previous draws. You have a full year to claim any prize. Old tickets could still be worth significant money.
The $75 million Lotto Max jackpot from March 3, 2026 has been won. The lucky ticket was sold somewhere in Ontario.
This marks another major win for the province. Ontario continues to lead Canada in lottery jackpots. The winner has one year to come forward and claim their life-changing prize.
The next Lotto Max draw is Friday, March 6. The jackpot resets to $20 million. Players across Canada will once again try their luck at becoming the next big winner.
If you purchased a Lotto Max ticket in Ontario for the March 3 draw, check your numbers now. You could be holding a ticket worth $75 million.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where was the winning Lotto Max ticket sold?
The winning $75 million Lotto Max ticket from the March 3, 2026 draw was sold in Ontario, Canada. The exact retail location has not been publicly announced yet by OLG. This information is typically released after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
What were the Lotto Max winning numbers for March 3, 2026?
The Lotto Max winning numbers for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 were 1, 3, 4, 18, 20, 23, and 31. The bonus number was 2. Players needed to match all seven main numbers to win the $75 million jackpot.
How much was the Lotto Max jackpot on March 3, 2026?
The Lotto Max jackpot for the March 3, 2026 draw was $75 million. The draw also included 12 MaxMillions prizes worth $1 million each. Two MaxMillions prizes were won in Ontario during this draw.
When is the next Lotto Max draw after the $75 million win?
The next Lotto Max draw is on Friday, March 6, 2026. The jackpot resets to approximately $20 million after the $75 million prize was won. MaxMillions prizes will return once the jackpot exceeds $50 million.
How long do Lotto Max winners have to claim their prize?
Lotto Max winners have exactly one year from the draw date to claim their prize. Winners must present valid government-issued photo identification and the original winning ticket. Prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at OLG headquarters in Toronto.
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