1. When will the changes to LOTTO 6/49 take effect?
The changes to LOTTO 6/49 will come into effect following the LOTTO 6/49 draw on May 29, 2004. Tickets sales begin May 30, 2004. The first draw featuring the changes will be held June 2, 2004.
2. Why are you changing the game now?
There is no doubt that LOTTO 6/49 has been one of the most popular lottery games in North America for the past 22 years. However, our customer research tells us it's time to make some changes to provide players with bigger jackpots more often. These changes to LOTTO 6/49 will deliver on those requests.
3. How is this game different from the old LOTTO 6/49?
The way you play the game will be the same, but you will have a chance at bigger jackpots more often, better overall odds of winning, and more prize categories. You will still play six numbers out of 49 and match all of them to win the jackpot. The big difference is that a $2 play will give you a chance at jackpots that are estimated to start at around $4 million and grow on a regular basis. We've also added a new $5 prize category. Players can win by matching only 2 of 6 numbers plus the bonus. The overall odds are better as well at 1 in 32 versus the previous 1 in 54.
4. Whose decision was it to change the LOTTO 6/49 format and price?
The changes to LOTTO 6/49 are a national decision made jointly by Canada's five regional lottery corporations. Research began over three years ago into ways to improve the game. The new price will create bigger LOTTO 6/49 jackpots more often, and a new $5 prize.
5. What about those players who don't want to spend $2 on a lottery ticket?
We offer a wide variety of lottery tickets at different prices. Customers always have the choice of how much they want to pay for a lottery ticket and what kind of game they would like to play.
6. What type of player research was conducted before introducing these changes?
We looked at a total of five concepts for big lotto games. Of the 4,500 people interviewed across Canada, eight out of 10 told us they were likely to play this new game. The concept featured a high jackpot, which appealed to most players.
Our customer research has also told us customers are willing to pay $2 for a chance to win bigger jackpots and more chances to win other prizes, including $5 for matching just two numbers out of six plus the bonus number.
7. Can I still play ENCORE with the new $2 game?
Yes, ENCORE will continue to be available with all our on-line lottery games, including LOTTO 6/49.
8. How will these changes affect Combination Play?
The game mechanics of Combination Play remain the same. Players must still mark their number selections from 1 to 49 on the selection slip for the Combination Play they want - 5, 7, 8 or 9 numbers. Like today, players will still receive a single ticket from the retailer showing only the numbers chosen but with all possible number combinations recorded in OLGC's central computer. The price, however, will reflect the new cost of $2 per selection.
9. Has ONTARIO 49's prize structure changed to incorporate the new 2/6 plus the Bonus number prize category?
No changes have been made to ONTARIO 49, nor are any planned for the immediate future.
10. What about smaller prizes?
You will now have better overall odds of winning any prize. That's because there will be a new prize category where you can win $5 by matching only two numbers plus the bonus number. No other changes have been made to the lower prize levels.
11. How big will the LOTTO 6/49 jackpots get?
We estimate that half the jackpots will be in the range of $10 million or more, with a few $25 million jackpots during the year. We haven't seen LOTTO 6/49 jackpots that high in almost 10 years.
12. Compared to the $1 LOTTO 6/49 game, how are prizes calculated for the
$2 LOTTO 6/49 game?
Prize Category Bigger & Better
LOTTO 6/49 $1 LOTTO 6/49
Match 6 80.50% of Pools Fund 50% of Pools Fund
Match 5+Bonus 5.75% of Pools Fund 15% of Pools Fund
Match 5 4.75% of Pools Fund 12% of Pools Fund
Match 4 9.00% of Pools Fund 23% of Pools Fund
Match 3 $10.00 $10.00
Match 2+Bonus $5.00 N/A
Once the jackpot exceeds $25 million, the calculation changes to direct more prize money to secondary prizes.
The prize structure has been set up to provide base jackpots of around $4 million with about half the jackpots in the $10 million range or higher. We will also be offering a new $5 prize category for matching only two numbers plus the bonus number.
13. What are the odds of winning with the new game?
The new game offers better overall odds of winning a prize. The overall odds are
1 in 32, while under the current game the odds are 1 in 54. By introducing the new
$5 prize, the overall odds of winning any prize are better than before. The odds of winning the jackpot haven't changed.
14. Will ADVANCE PLAY be available for the new version of LOTTO 6/49?
Yes. You can still play up to 10 draws in advance.
15. I re-use my selection slips for each LOTTO 6/49 draw. Can I continue to use my current selection slips with new LOTTO 6/49?
New selection slips for LOTTO 6/49 will be introduced on May 30, 2004. Although the terminals will accept the current selection slips for a brief period after the launch of new LOTTO 6/49, players are encouraged to fill in new selection slips as soon as possible once the new slips are available.

Lotto 6/49
Frequency of Winning Numbers Drawn Since Inception
2,111 draws from 12/6/1982 to 14/4/2004
Number Regular Bonus Total Last Drawn
1 264 44 308 2 draws ago
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this is key - I'm afraid changes will eventually comecharles2 said:"9. Has ONTARIO 49's prize structure changed to incorporate the new 2/6 plus the Bonus number prize category?
No changes have been made to ONTARIO 49, nor are any planned for the immediate future.
"
this is what i'm interested in![]()

Its where I go when I want current and up to date information.Beaker said:Funny - they forgot the prize for oneoffitis
Hey powerball way to keep your site up to date![]()
keep it up![]()

LT said:Just noticed your signature Karnac ...![]()

$2/ticket increaseretyah2644 said:The selection slips we are using now for 6/49 won't be acceptable at the terminals for the new 6/49. Why the change
, how to play instructions at the backBrad said:hang on to them 2/10 WINHunter stacks !!![]()
~~~ charles2 said:"9. Has ONTARIO 49's prize structure changed to incorporate the new 2/6 plus the Bonus number prize category?
No changes have been made to ONTARIO 49, nor are any planned for the immediate future.
"this is what i'm interested in![]()
..)..
~~~ I haven't touched WINHunter for months it seems now, nor any other prog really (no time) but I seem to remember few stacks that regularly hit 2/10 (not enough 3/10 or 4/10 to break even).Sheba said:Have you won anything using winhunter?<<<
Well I gave you one that is much better than this....When used intelligently...Brad said:I haven't touched WINHunter for months it seems now, nor any other prog really (no time) but I seem to remember few stacks that regularly hit 2/10 (not enough 3/10 or 4/10 to break even).
Thinking was to go back and see if the bonus also hit with the 2/10s ... did not watch for that before since it didn't pay prior to this format change. Those stacks are worth re-checking (if I can find them).

Sheba said:Atlantic 649 is changing its name to Atlantic 49, (wonder who came up with the name..)..
Anyway I just emailed them and asked if there will be a 5.00 prize in the atlantic 49 game like the lotto 649 one. Will post there reply tomorrow....
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