These are the GTA regions that won the most money from OLG jackpots since 2023
Officials tell CTV News Toronto, jackpots worth over $400 million have been sold in these GTA regions since 2023. Here's a look at where your region ranks and the winners who claimed top prizes.
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There have been 16 lottery jackpots of more than $5 million sold in the GTA over the last two years, representing more than $400 million in top prizes. Here's a look at where your region ranks and the winners who claimed the top prizes. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Plume) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
1. York Region - $137 million York Region has seen some of the biggest jackpots in the GTA, racking up $137 million in major wins since 2023. In this image, Mark Hanley of Newmarket Ont., who's been playing for more than 30 years, claimed the $65 million jackpot prize from the March 28, 2025. According to a news release, when he found out he won, he yelled “touchdown!” and started “jumping for joy.” (OLG photos)
2. Toronto - $113.6 million Toronto follows with $113.6 million in large wins. In this photo Charles “Charlie” Coffey was announced the winner of a $25-million Lotto Max jackpot from Jan. 31. At the time he said, “I didn’t have my glasses on. I went back to check on what I thought was $25,000 and saw, with my glasses on, it was $25,000,000.” Toronto has earned five jackpot wins since 2023, of which, four are from Lotto 649. (OLG photos).
3. Peel Region - $82.5 million Peel Region players have claimed a total of $82.5 million in big jackpots since 2023. In this photo, a group of five co-workers claimed the winning ticket from a $60 million Jan. 21 Lotto Max draw. Trang Pham, who purchased the ticket from an Etobicoke Giant Tiger on Kipling Avenue, says she was inspired to buy due to the Lunar New Year. In two years, Peel Region residents have won four significant jackpots, two from Lotto Max and two from Lotto 649. (OLG photos).
4. Halton Region - $55 million Fourth place belongs to Halton region where Milton couple Laurene Shail and Doltan Hawk won the $55 million Lotto Max jackpot back in 2024. The two had been playing for 25 years. Laurene recalled having one foot in the shower when she heard her husband's yell. At that point, when she saw $55 million, she says she thought it was a prank (OLG photos).
5. Durham Region - $40 million There has been just one big winner from Durham Region since 2023 but it was a big one - a $40 million jackpot. 79-year-old Bernard White of Oshawa claimed the Lotto Max jackpot following the Feb. 21 draw. White says he was sleeping when his daughter first knocked on this door early in the morning. Speaking to OLG officials he said, “I sleep in the nude. I couldn’t jump out of bed. I would’ve hit the ceiling if I had underwear on!” (OLG photos).
“Ontarians like big jackpots,” officials said, adding that ticket sales consistently spike when top prizes reach or exceed $50 million — particularly in the evening hours leading up to the draw. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marta Iwanek) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Retail remains the dominant sales channel, with 90 per cent of all lottery tickets still sold at OLG’s 10,000 authorized locations across the province. But that trend is slowly shifting. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette) (Nathan Denette/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Online purchases via OLG.ca now make up 10 per cent of sales and have been gradually increasing each year, officials say. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives) (Doug Ives/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
OLG says the figures highlight not just player luck, but also the impact of jackpots on consumer behaviour — especially as more players turn to digital platforms for last-minute buys. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives) (Doug Ives/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
One resident, Peter Hedgecock of Markham Ont., recently had to be reminded via email that he won the $1-million Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Draw from back in March. The father of three, who purchased his ticket online, shared that he plans to put his winnings toward his retirement. (OLG photos)
