Lotto 6/49 odds of winning
The odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 jackpot are 1 in 13,983,816 per $3 play, and about 1 in 6.6 for any prize, free plays included. Western 649, sold in Western Canada, is 1 in 13,983,816 for its jackpot at $1 a play.
Checked 2026-11-11. Sources: WCLC Lotto 6/49; WCLC Western 649.
Lotto 6/49 prizes and odds
$3 a play, 1 selection of 6 numbers from 1 to 49, plus a bonus number. Sold: across Canada (prize table as published by WCLC).
| Match | Prize | Odds per play (printed) | Exact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 of 6 | Win or share $5 million (Classic Jackpot) | 1 in 13,983,816 | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| 5 of 6 + Bonus | Share of 32.15% of the Pools Fund | 1 in 2,330,636 | 1 in 2,330,636 |
| 5 of 6 | Share of 13.5% of the Pools Fund | 1 in 55,492 | 1 in 55,491 |
| 4 of 6 | Share of 54.35% of the Pools Fund | 1 in 1,033 | 1 in 1,032 |
| 3 of 6 | $10 | 1 in 56.7 | 1 in 56.7 |
| 2 of 6 + Bonus | $5 | 1 in 81.2 | 1 in 81.2 |
| 2 of 6 | Free Play | 1 in 8.3 | 1 in 8.3 |
Any prize: 1 in 6.62 per play (the lottery prints about 1 in 6.6). Source: WCLC, checked 2026-11-11.
Western 649 prizes and odds
$1 a play, 1 selection of 6 numbers from 1 to 49, plus a bonus number. Sold: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories.
| Match | Prize | Odds per play (printed) | Exact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 of 6 | Win or share $2,000,000 | 1 in 13,983,816 | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| 5 of 6 + Bonus | Win or share $50,000 | 1 in 2,330,636 | 1 in 2,330,636 |
| 5 of 6 | $500 | 1 in 55,492 | 1 in 55,491 |
| 4 of 6 | $50 | 1 in 1,033 | 1 in 1,032 |
| 3 of 6 | $10 | 1 in 56.7 | 1 in 56.7 |
| 2 of 6 + Bonus | $3 | 1 in 81.2 | 1 in 81.2 |
| 2 of 6 | Free Play | 1 in 8.3 | 1 in 8.3 |
Any prize: 1 in 6.62 per play (the lottery prints about 1 in 6.6). Source: WCLC, checked 2026-11-11.
How the odds are worked out
A selection matches exactly m of the k main numbers with probability C(k, m) × C(n − k, k − m) ÷ C(n, k). The bonus number is drawn from the n − k numbers left, and the selection holds k − m of them, so it matches the bonus with probability (k − m) ÷ (n − k). A play with several selections multiplies the chance per selection by their number.
Worked example, Lotto 6/49 jackpot: C(49, 6) = 13,983,816 possible draws.
Prize amounts marked "share of the Pools Fund" depend on sales and the number of winners in each draw, so they are not fixed. Every game pays back less than it costs on average.
Questions
What are the odds of winning the Lotto 6/49 jackpot?
1 in 13,983,816 per $3 play, as the lottery prints it. That is the number of ways to choose 6 numbers from 49.
What are the odds of winning anything on Lotto 6/49?
About 1 in 6.6 per play, free plays included (the lottery prints 6.6).
How is Western 649 different from Lotto 6/49?
Western 649 is sold only in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the territories. It costs $1 a play (1 selection), picks 6 of 49, and pays fixed prizes below the top tiers. Its jackpot odds are 1 in 13,983,816 per play.
Are lottery winnings taxed in Canada?
No. The CRA says lottery winnings of any amount are not taxed, unless the prize is really income from employment, a business or property; interest earned on the money afterwards is taxed. See lottery winnings tax in Canada.
Won? Lottery winnings are not taxed in Canada, but interest on them is.
Not affiliated with the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. Age limits for buying tickets are set by each province's lottery.