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How to Claim

How to Claim OLG Prizes

Have you won an Ontario Lottery prize? Congratulations! On this page, you'll learn how to claim OLG prizes for Lotto Max and other games. Get all the information you need on the claim forms and Prize Centre details so you can successfully claim a single or group prize. Depending on how much you've won, you may be able to claim at a retailer, by mail, at slots and casinos locations, or at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

If you're an international resident who doesn't live in Canada, read on to find out how to claim your prize - and what not to do!

Whichever way you choose to claim, you must take the following steps first:

Sign your ticket: Don't forget to sign the ticket in ink! For group winners, the ticket must be signed by all group members, OR by the group leader "In Trust".

Complete your ticket: Fill out all the necessary information on both the front and back of the ticket. Print clearly and don't include any other writing or marks on the ticket, or your claim will take longer to process.

Make a copy of your ticket: Scan or photocopy the front and back of your ticket for security.

Get your Customer Receipt: If your ticket has already been validated by a retailer, you'll need the Customer Receipt. It has a number at the top in a box that matches your LOTTO ticket number.

OLG is only able to pay your prize money to you, the prize winner. You are not able to assign the prize to be received by someone else. If requested, you may be required to provide valid government-issued photo identification, take part in an interview, and fill out the "Release of Prize Claim Form".

After your OLG LOTTO or INSTANT ticket expires, you will not be able to claim a prize. LOTTO tickets expire 12 months after the draw date shown on the ticket. You can find INSTANT tickets' expiry date on the back of the ticket.

A note on taxes: generally, for Canadian residents, lottery winnings are not taxed by the Canadian government as part of your income.

Prizes Under $1,000

Claiming a prize under $1,000 is easy. You have four options to claim:

At an OLG retailer

By mail

At certain slots and casinos

At the OLG Prize Centre

Claim at an OLG Retailer

You can head to any OLG retailer to verify your ticket on the lottery terminal. A winning message will display on the screen and the terminal will also play an audio message. LOTTO tickets have the prize amount you've won printed (AKA "branded") on the front left side of the winning ticket.

If your ticket is damaged, the retailer will not be able to validate it, and you'll need to mail it to the Prize Centre to confirm you've won.

If the retailer is able to pay the prize, they will tear your ticket through the barcode and then give you the validated ticket and Customer Receipt to keep. The retailer will pay you in cash if they have enough on hand. Every retailer can pay up to $50, and they have the option to pay up to $999.90 if they have the cash available.

If your winning ticket has multiple draws and some are still remaining, you will receive an Exchange Ticket from the terminal. Use this ticket for the remaining draws.

Claim by Mail

To claim your winnings by mail, you need to send the following to OLG:

The original, signed and completed winning ticket

If your ticket was checked by a retailer, include the Customer Receipt from the lottery terminal.

If you're claiming for a group, you must send a completed Lottery Prize Claim Group List including each group member's name, address, telephone number, share of the prize, and signature.

ID isn't needed for prizes under $1,000 if you claim by mail. However, if requested, you may be required to provide valid government-issued photo identification, take part in an interview, and fill out the "Release of Prize Claim Form".

When you're ready to mail your claim, send it to:

OLG Mail-in Prize Centre
P.O. Box 130
31 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON
M5C 2J1

Your claim will be processed approximately 4-6 weeks after OLG receives it. If any items are missing or unfinished, OLG will contact you directly, and this may result in processing being delayed.

OLG will mail your cheque by regular mail. If you prefer it sent in another way, you'll need to include a prepaid envelope.

For groups, the cheque will be made out to all the winners who signed the ticket.

Note that OLG cannot return your ticket to you.

Claim at Slots and Casinos

You can visit some OLG slots and casinos locations in person to claim. Here's what you'll need to bring with you:

The original, signed and completed winning ticket

If your ticket was checked by a retailer, bring the Customer Receipt from the lottery terminal.

Your ticket will be verified by the lottery terminal. If you've won, you will see a confirmation on the terminal and hear a winning message played. LOTTO tickets will have the prize amount printed / branded on the top left side of the original ticket.

When your prize is paid, the staff will tear your ticket through the barcode and then give it back to you to keep, along with your receipt.

If the winning ticket still has future draws left on it, the terminal will print an Exchange Ticket for the remaining draws.

You must be at least 19 years old to enter a slots or casino premises.

Claim at the OLG Prize Centre

You may also claim your prize in person at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto, located at:

20 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C2

The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. The Centre is closed on statutory holidays.

Here's what to bring with you:

The original, signed and completed winning ticket

If your ticket was checked by a retailer, bring the Customer Receipt from the lottery terminal.

Group winners must have a completed Lottery Prize Claim Group List including each group member's name, address, telephone number, share of the prize, and signature.

You will be called to the counter to have your claim processsed. Generally processing will take about 20 minutes, although if OLG requires more information or needs to conduct an interview with you, the claim can take three hours or more.

Prizes are paid by cheque.

OLG is unable to return your ticket and cannot guarantee your prize will be paid on the same day you claim.

Prizes From $1,000 to Under $10,000

You have three choices for how to claim your prize:

By mail

At certain OLG slots and casinos

At the OLG Prize Centre.

Before claiming, you must fill out a Lottery Prize Claim Declaration Form (for both single and group wins). The documentation must include the claimant's legal name as shown on the valid government-issued identification the claimant will present with the documentation.

You will need the following items to claim, however you choose to do so:

The original, signed and completed winning ticket. For group winners, the ticket must be signed by all group members, OR by the group leader "In Trust".

If your ticket was checked by a retailer, bring the Customer Receipt from the lottery terminal.

Identification: A photocopy of the front and back of a government-issued ID including date of birth. For group winners, a copy of ID must be submitted for each group member.

Lottery Prize Claim Declaration Form (for both single and group wins). Ensure the form is fully completed, signed and witnessed. For group winners, a form must be completed, signed and witnessed by each group member.

For group winners, you must include a completed Lottery Prize Claim Group List including each group member's name, address, telephone number, share of the prize, and signature.

OLG is unable to return your winning or damaged ticket.

OLG is only able to pay your prize money to you, the prize winner. You are not able to assign the prize to be received by someone else.

Publication of Winner Information

OLG publishes information on lottery wins of $1,000 or above on its website for 30 days. The details include the winner's name, city, and prize amount (for single and group winners).

Claim by Mail

Mail the items listed above to the following address:

OLG Mail-in Prize Centre
P.O. Box 130
31 Adelaide Street East Toronto, ON M5C 2J1

Your claim will be processed within 4-6 weeks. If any necessary items are incomplete, this may delay processing.

You will receive your cheque by regular mail, unless you include a prepaid envelope for e.g. courier delivery. For group claims, cheques for each group member will be issued based on the amount of the prize as per the Lottery Prize Claim Group List, and sent to the address supplied.

OLG is not able to mail winnings cheques to the U.S.

Claim at Slots and Casinos

You can bring your prize claim for $250,000 or below to certain slots and casinos (you must be age 19 or above). Most will be able to pay prizes of under $1,000 in cash. For prizes of $1,000 and above, the ticket will be sent by courier to the OLG Prize Centre to be processed for you.

Claim at the OLG Prize Centre

You also have the option to claim in person at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

For group winners, the Group Captain should speak to Prize Centre staff before going to claim. Claims can take a few hours to process and the staff will be able to help you determine the best time to claim.

The Prize Centre is located at:

20 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C2

The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 3pm. The Centre is closed on statutory holidays. Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days, and Tuesday is also busy during the fall and winter.

You will be called to the counter to have have your claim processsed. Generally processing will take about 20 minutes, although if OLG requires more information or needs to conduct an interview with you, the claim can take three hours or more.

It cannot be guaranteed that your prize will be paid on the same day you claim.

All prizes are paid by cheque. The cheque cannot be released to anyone except the winner. If the winner cannot visit the Prize Centre, the cheque will be mailed out instead. For group claims, cheques for each group member will be issued based on the amount of the prize as per the Lottery Prize Claim Group List, and sent to the address supplied.

Prizes From $10,000 to $250,000

Prizes in this category may be claimed in person at certain OLG slots and casinos or at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

Prepare to Claim

You will need the following items to claim:

The original, signed and completed winning ticket. For group winners, the ticket must be signed by all group members, OR by the group leader "In Trust".

If your ticket was checked by a retailer, bring the Customer Receipt from the lottery terminal.

Two pieces of identification: You will need a valid government-issued ID that includes your photograph and date of birth. You'll also need a second piece of ID with your name - this can be government-issued or a major credit card, bank card or BYID. Bring a photocopy of the front and back of the IDs too.

Group winners will need the above two forms of ID with photocopy for each group member.

Lottery Prize Claim Declaration Form. Ensure the form is fully completed, signed and witnessed. The documentation must include the claimant's legal name as shown on the valid government-issued identification the claimant will present with the documentation.

For group winners, a form must be completed, signed and witnessed by each group member.

Group winners must include a completed Lottery Prize Claim Group List including each group member's name, address, telephone number, share of the prize, and signature.

Publication of Winner Information

After your claim is approved, you will be interviewed by OLG to tell the story of your win. OLG publishes information on wins of $10,000 and above in a press release and on its website for 30 days. The details include the winner's name, city, and prize amount (for single and group winners).

Claim at Slots and Casinos

You may submit your claim information in person at select OLG slots or casino locations (you must be age 19 or above); however, the ticket will be sent by courier to the OLG Prize Centre for processing.

You will receive your winnings via a cheque that will be mailed to the facility where you made the claim. You will be informed when the cheque is ready for you to pick up; prizes may take at least six weeks to be paid out.

For group wins, each member will need to pick up their own cheque, or request that it be sent to them by mail. Each member will receive a cheque with their proportion of the prize as per the Lottery Prize Claim Group List.

All winners who attend in person will need to have publicity photographs taken with the cheque, and sign documentation before claiming the prize.

Claim at the OLG Prize Centre

You may also attend the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim in person.

Prizes of $10,000 and over may be claimed Monday to Friday from 8am to 3pm, or Saturdays from 9am to 12pm (on Saturdays, you may only claim prizes of under $10,000 for INSTANT and under $15 million for Lotto and Sports prizes). The Centre is closed on statutory holidays. Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days, and Tuesday is also busy during the fall and winter.

The Prize Centre is located at:

20 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C2

You will be called to the counter to have have your claim processsed. Large prize claims ($10,000 and up) can take four hours or more to complete. Prizes of $10,000 or more cannot be claimed on the same day they are won.

OLG cannot guarantee your prize will be paid on the same day you claim.

Prizes of $250,000 and Over

You must claim your winnings in person at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

The Prize Centre is located at:

20 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C2

Processing claims for very large prizes of over $15 million may take several hours, and the winnings will not be paid on the day the claim is made. Winners should arrive by 11am Monday-Friday to claim prizes at this level.

OLG cannot guarantee your prize will be paid on the same day you claim.

How to Claim Prizes if You're an International Resident

If you've won an OLG prize but you're not a resident of Canada, read on for all the info you need to claim your winnings.

Taxes and Fees

Here's some good news: international residents do not have to pay income tax to Canada on their prize. In addition, lottery winners in Canada are not required to pay fees to Canadian authorities, and OLG will never ask you to pay any fees to collect your winnings.

If you're a U.S. resident, you should speak with an accountant to ensure you comply with U.S. tax laws, which are different than Canadian laws in relation to lottery winnings.

Claiming Your Prize from Outside Canada

You have two options to claim your prize if you don't live in Canada.

You can visit the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto in person. If your prize is $10,000 or above, you must claim in person. The Prize Centre is located at:

20 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON
M5G 2C2

All prizes are paid in Canadian funds.

The second option is to claim your prize by mail. You may do this if your prize is less than $10,000. Your prize will be paid in Canadian funds.

If you live in the U.S., you must have a Canadian address to receive your prize cheque. You will also need to include your U.S. address. U.S. law does not allow lotteries to operate by mail, so OLG is not able to mail your cheque or other lottery materials to a U.S. address. OLG also does not pay prizes via wire transfer to the U.S.

If you live outside the U.S., OLG will mail your prize cheque, at your request, to your international address. However, OLG is unable to guarantee the safe delivery of your cheque, so claiming by mail is done at your own risk.

You may also provide a Canadian address where OLG can send your prize cheque.