Ontario lottery winner: where are you?
By Kate Northrop
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is urging a mystery lottery winner to come forward before a $40 million (US$28 million) Lotto Max jackpot slips away at the end of the month.
Someone in Ontario is sitting on a $40 million winning Lotto Max ticket and may not even know it, with the deadline to claim the life-changing prize now just three weeks away.
On Monday, OLG issued a public reminder that the jackpot-winning ticket from the Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Lotto Max draw has yet to be claimed. Lottery players in Ontario have exactly one year from the draw date to claim their prizes, meaning the ticket will officially expire on October 28, 2026 if the rightful holder does not come forward in time.
OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told Daily Hive that lottery players who try to claim their prize after the deadline will need "a really good reason" to still receive the winnings.
"It's a case-by-case basis, and we determine if they're the rightful owners of the tickets," Bitonti said.
The winning numbers from the October 28, 2025 Lotto Max draw are 6, 14, 17, 19, 26, 43, and 45, with Bonus Number 27.
While OLG "has very detailed information about this winning ticket," they said in a press release, they are only confirming that the winning ticket was purchased at a lottery retailer in Grey County, Ontario. The area is part of the Georgian Triangle and includes communities such as Owen Sound, Meaford, The Blue Mountains, Flesherton, Markdale, Durham, and Hanover.
"Because the ticket was purchased at a lottery retailer, we don't know the identity of the person or group that purchased it," OLG explained. "As with all OLG prize claims, a review process is conducted to determine the rightful ownership of the ticket."
Grey County is a popular destination for tourists and cottagers, the Lottery supposed; therefore the winner may very well be someone visiting the area who purchased the ticket and forgot to check it upon their return home.
The Lottery is urging players to check places where they may typically store tickets, such as clothing pockets, handbags, backpacks, wallets, laptop bags, vehicle glove compartments, sun visors, or in kitchen, bedroom, or office drawers.
If the winner finds their ticket or plans to come forward within the next few weeks, the Lottery advises the mystery winner to either fill out a form on the official OLG website for unclaimed tickets or contact them by phone to start the claim.
If the $40 million jackpot expires, it will be returned to players through future bonus games or promotions, the Lottery said.
The Lotto Max jackpot currently stands at $75 million (US$52.6 million) for the next drawing on Tuesday, Oct. 6. Lotto Max drawings take place every Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
All winning numbers, prizes, and odds are published on Lottery Post's Multi-Province Lottery Results page right after each drawing.
Hope the individual shows up in time.
Two days ago had played MM (I thought) PB with PP/DP and Millionaire for Life. Somehow did it wrong and ended up with two PB tickets and an $8 winner of MFL which I cashed out today. Scanned the two PB tickets, one said not a winner however the second one said same thing AND five draws remain. Am thinking the second ticket was stuck up in there and buyer didn't notice. Hope it comes in!
That's a lot of money, hope they realize they won.
Hmmm I wonder why they didn't name the actual store instead of just the county. Also how does it work in terms of the store getting a bonus for selling the winning ticket? Does the store only get the bonus if the player claims it
I always wonder how stuff like this happens and the only thing I can come up with is they lost it. And that it was a QP. I don't know why you'd buy a ticket and not check it. I don't know how you can forget to check it. So yes had to be misplaced and lost. I've lost a couple tickets thinking I put it in my pocket but it fell out in the ground.
I do like the "really good reason" part lol. That's kinda cool. I've never heard of that being a thing. Once the deadline arrives that's it. I guess really good reasons could be being deployed or being in prison or just got out of a coma.
I remember a story the other day where the winner purposely waited for the last day. I don't remember the reason they gave for intentionally waiting. So there is a very slight possibility that's what's going on here but we shall see how it unfolds.
Yes, yes, yes!
The parts about:
"OLG spokesperson Tony Bitonti told Daily Hive that lottery players who try to claim their prize after the deadline will need "a really good reason" to still receive the winnings."
I also have never heard about anything like that. And that is wonderful to hear.
"If the $40 million jackpot expires, it will be returned to players through future bonus games or promotions, the Lottery said."
Is even better. I have always believed that unclaimed funds should be used in bonus games or promotions so the winnings will always eventually go to players.
Best wishes to the current winning ticket holder or a future one.