Answer

FOR LOTTO MAX AND THE MAIN DRAW FOR LOTTO 6/49,

the winning numbers are drawn at random using a ball machine. For Daily Grand, Keno Atlantic, Bucko, Salsa Bingo, Atlantic 49, TAG and MAXMILLIONS, an electronic draw machine (EDM) performs the draw using a random number generator (RNG). For Lotto 6/49’s and Atlantic 49’s Guaranteed Prize Draws, EDMs are also used to generate a winner from all the selections that have been sold.

Effective May 15, 2019, a Random Number Generator (RNG) will generate Lotto 6/49 winning numbers.
Third-party experts have tested and certified the RNG software, which continues to ensure unbiased and unpredictable numbers
Effective May 14, 2019, RNG software will also determine the winning numbers for the LOTTO MAX main draw, in addition to the MAXMILLIONS™ draws.

129 Comments

Darrell Oliver

07/09/2012

I agree with using the balls but I still believe that the draw should be done so everyone can see the dropping of the balls, i.e. on TV as it was done years ago!

Atlantic Lottery

07/10/2012

Hi Darrell, The live draw is a service that’s available on our website for the most recent Lotto 6/49 and LOTTO MAX draws. They can be viewed on our website at www.corp.alc.ca – feel free to check out a draw there! Mireille@AtlanticLottery

Gerald Tulk

08/19/2012

So it's not a ball drop like 649

Gerald Tulk

08/19/2012

So it's not a ball drop like 649 , Is IT

Atlantic Lottery

08/20/2012

Hi Gerald, Yes, ball machines are used for all draw games available from Atlantic Lottery except GeoSweep, ShaBam and Salsa Bingo which are conducted using a random number generator (electronic draw machine). Mireille@AtlanticLottery

Ron

07/19/2014

I play Atlantic Salsa Bingo. I thought it was drawn like 649 but I discover it is done by a Certified electronic draw machine. I also discovered that these machines cannot prove the integrity of the random number generation process. So, basically it is like a VLT machine where the odds are set for winning and losing...more in favor of losing as I have been looking at payouts...and they are very low! I suggest that bingo should be done like it's done in a bingo hall. It would make it more fair to the player and I suggest the live draw should be done at a specific hour so the player can actually mark his or her's cards via the Alc site.

John Dickson

04/09/2015

Why do certain games such as shabam have so few top prize winners. Thats why i dont play

Atlantic Lottery

04/17/2015

Hi John; Thank you for your question. For draw games like Shabam, the amount of times a top prize gets paid out is related to overall sales of the game. So generally, if more players play, the more the top prize will be paid out. Shabam isn’t one of our top sellers so its lower sales is reflected in the number of top prize winners it generates. Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Lottery Player

07/12/2016

Hi, Atlantic Lottery. :-) I'm curious, if the draws for Atlantic 49, Bucko, Keno Atlantic and Tag are done with ball machines, why are they not available for (preferably live) viewing like Interprovincial Lottery does with Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max?

Atlantic Lottery

07/14/2016

Thank you very much for your question. All regional lottery draws (games available only in Atlantic Canada) are done at the Atlantic Lottery offices. For auditing purposes we do record all draws and an external auditor is on site during draw times. Due to the number of draws we complete, we do not currently air or offer live viewing of the draws. For those who may be interested, we can accommodate the viewing of a pre-recorded draw. A minimum of two weeks notice is required in order to accommodate these requests. Thank you for your enquiry. We appreciate hearing from our players. Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Gina Hooley

08/25/2016

I agree with Ron. They should use a bingo machine and play the draw live on the website. Good Thinking!

Atlantic Lottery

08/29/2016

Hi Gina. Thank you for your comment. An electronic draw machine (EDM) that uses a random number generator (RNG) is used to perform the Salsa Bingo. All RNGs are certified by an independent company to ensure the randomness of its draws. So when the RNG selects a Salsa Bingo number from the range of numbers available, each individual bingo number has an equal chance of being selected. While we don’t televise our draws, each draw follows a strict process. It’s because of this strict process that we use an EDM for Salsa Bingo; otherwise, using a ball machine for a game that has many numbers that need to be drawn would take a lot of time. Thank you. Sandy @ Atlantic Lottery

Rosie

09/04/2016

Thank for adding

Keno Player

09/29/2016

I still find it hard to believe that randomly generated numbers can let the top prizes on 649 and Max Millions grow so big all the time without hitting at least one of the probably millions of tickets that are sold each week when the prize gets that high. A better question would be if it's all picked by dropping balls why does it take until the next morning for the numbers to appear on the website so we can check our tickets??? If they're not gonna be shown live on TV,, why can't you at least post them right after the draw takes place? Just curious, as it almost seems like it takes that long to pick the numbers to make sure that there are no winners.

Atlantic Lottery

09/30/2016

Thank you for your question about Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max. To win the Lotto 6/49 jackpot, a player needs to match all six winning numbers. The odds of doing this are 1 in 13,983,816. In order for the jackpot to be awarded every draw, 13,983,816 unique combinations of the numbers used for the Lotto 6/49 draw would have to be sold for that draw. The same is true for Lotto Max where a player needs to match seven winning numbers to win the jackpot. In order for the Lotto Max jackpot to be awarded every draw, 28,633,528 unique combinations of the numbers used for the draw would have to be sold for that draw. Both Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max are sold across Canada. In Atlantic Canada sales for both games close at 11:29:59 p.m. Atlantic Time. The actual draws take place in Toronto as soon as possible after the sales close. The draws are audited by external auditors and once everything has been approved, the winning numbers are posted to our web site. Atlantic Lottery no longer airs draws on TV but the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws can be viewed on corp.alc.ca. Once you're on corp.alc.ca, select “Winning Numbers.” A drop down menu of games will appear. Click on the game logo of the draw you want to see. Select “Prize Payouts” then click on “Watch the Draws” which is located by the picture of the draw machine.

Gene

10/26/2016

The AlC has been audited,,,,lots of money been spent on booze xmas parties, increases in salaries, laughable, It's always only a matter of time.....as for showing the draws in real time? sure it can be done,,,,Random Number Generators? sure they can be rigged,,,it was done in the States,,and yes there's articles about it...and the draws being audited?? OKAY!!!!!

Atlantic Lottery

10/28/2016

Hi Gene; Atlantic Lottery welcomes the Auditors General report and we are committed to making Atlantic Lottery as good as it can be. We have accepted all the recommendations in the report and we’ve made changes to make the business better. In regards to your other comments, Atlantic Lottery operates with the highest level of player protection tools, practices and policies. Although we don’t show our draws in real time, they do follow a strict process and are videotaped. If you are interested, you can see the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticLottery. As well, the Random Number Generators (RNGs) that we use for games like Lotto Max’s MAXMILLIONS and Salsa Bingo are certified by an independent company to ensure the randomness of its draws. Thank you - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery.

Gene

10/28/2016

you keep telling me the same things ,,,,yes I know, the draws are video taped...does that mean anything to anybody? not really, we get to watch something in the past,,,,,RNGs well well , certified by an independent company,,,,,what company? same company used for the last 10, 20, years? It would be nice to see the RNGs in action,,,,spitting out Ontario numbers 80% of the time :) just kidding,,,,,,,as for your answer to the audits being done and the money waste,,,,,,a bit late to become rightous now

Gene

11/02/2016

Why is all this audit about the Alc so hush hush,,,,,I mean come on , when the Senators were having a great time with the tax payer's money it was all over the news,,,,,It's ime to roll back any increases in saleries and pay back what was abused,,,,YES? I know 300,000 plus/year plus bonuses is not much to live on right people? The nerve of some people, amazing. anybody like to respond?

clarence hynes

11/27/2016

How are the numbers for extra prises on 649 and max drawn

Atlantic Lottery

11/29/2016

Hi Clarence; Thanks for your question. When Lotto 6/49 offers additional guaranteed prizes like it did for the Super Draws on Saturday night, an electronic draw machine (EDM) performs the draw. When you buy a ticket for a Lotto 6/49 draw, you will receive a Guaranteed Prize Draw Selection which is a computer generated 10-digit number. This Guaranteed Prize Draw selection is then put into a “virtual” ballot box with every other Guaranteed Prize Draw selection that has been sold for that draw. The night of the draw, the EDM generates a winner from the “virtual” ballot box for each guaranteed prize that is offered. The player wins a Guaranteed Prize when their Guaranteed Prize Draw Selection is drawn to be the winner. When Lotto Max offers MAXMILLIONS, an electronic draw machine performs the draw using a random number generator (RNG). MAXMILLIONS are not guaranteed to be won like the Lotto 6/49 guaranteed prizes, so winners are not selected from a “virtual” ballot box, instead ticket holders must match the winning numbers generated by the EDM. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Wade

01/05/2017

How can I see if all of the top payouts are done on a certain set for lufe

Atlantic Lottery

01/05/2017

Hi Wade; Thanks for your interest in our Set for Life game. To find out how many top prizes are available to be won on any Scratch’N Win game, please visit our web site at (http://bit.ly/TopPrizesRemaining). As of today, Thursday, January 5, 2017 our current Set for Life (4007) has two (2) top prizes remaining. - Sandy @ Atlantic Lottery

Clarence DIACHUK

01/22/2017

Draws should be televised

Atlantic Lottery

01/23/2017

Hi Clarence; We originally stopped airing our draws live on TV because it was a challenge for TV networks to find the exact same time during their programs for us to show the draws. If you’re interested, we do post the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws on our YouTube channel at (https://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticLottery). Because these draws are on YouTube, it’s unlikely we would go back to paying to have the draws aired on TV. Thanks for your comment.

Geno

01/29/2017

On the pick'n click games online especially crossword,, if you need the letter *A* and when you click, can the letter be changed by the electronic computer if there was an A there and it's changed before it's opened up so that you don't win? Like a comment I just read,,,it's designed where the odds are set for you losing.....easy to do with computers,,,, any comments?

Atlantic Lottery

02/01/2017

Hi Geno; Thanks for asking about our Pick’n Click games. All of our Pick’n Click games are probability games. This means that whether you win or lose depends on where you click within the game. The outcome is not predetermined and you will only find out if you have won or lost when you finish the game. When you purchase one of our Pick’n Click games, you’ll only see the game that you are going to play when your payment has been removed from your account. If an “A” is in a specific spot in the game when you bought it, then it will be in the same location when you play it. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Geno

02/06/2017

why can't you have a live feed to your web site when the draws are taking place,,,not video taped for later viewing,,,,,,,,,,,not showing the draw live is causing a lot of concern I think

Atlantic Lottery

02/08/2017

Hi Geno; Although we stopped showing live draws on TV, we do appreciate that many players enjoyed watching them. We have been investigating alternate live broadcasts to see if there are any options that would work for us. There is no specific plan to live stream our draws just yet but we will let our players know if we decide to do this in the future. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Gary

02/11/2017

I feel that it is rigged because every time that someone wins the max lotto it always out towards Quebec Ontario or BC. So I don't buy those anymore. The lotto I think you know what number will be drawn. In southwest Nova Scotia you don't see big winners down here and that is my opinion. Show it on tv the way it was done before that you view the balls come out.

Atlantic Lottery

02/15/2017

Hi Gary; No matter where you live in Canada, your odds of winning any prize on Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 are exactly the same. The reason that some provinces have more top prize winners is because of the percentage of sales that come from those regions. On average, Ontario and Quebec represent more than half of the total sales on Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 and that’s why top prizes are awarded there more often. Although Atlantic Canada has a smaller percentage of sales on these games, we still have our fair share of winners every year. In the past two months, Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 have had 3 major prize winners in Nova Scotia. The largest prize was for $5,366,704 which was won by a winner from Eastern Passage, N.S. A $1 million Lotto Max prize was awarded to winners from Dartmouth and a group from Halifax won $324,555 also playing Lotto Max. In your area of the province, a winner from Digby, N.S. picked up a $500,000 Lotto Max Maxmillion prize in November 2015. While we don’t show our draws on TV anymore, you can see all of winners on our website at (http://corp.alc.ca/Winners.aspx). - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Geno

06/01/2017

ok I have a great system,,suppose you play the lottory on may 31/649 (3.00)wednesday if you don't win a prize then don't play that friday(lottomax) and saturday plus the following week. big saving $19.00,,,how many of us win 19.00? ok the following week play wednesday again 3.00. now if you still don't win any prize do the same above only make it 2 weeks you don't play.. now the savings start to show..in that little Bag hanging in the closet..after the 2 weeks go by,,,you do the same thing again,only now you;re hoping you don't win on that ticket :) nice huh? try it, go for 3,4,5 weeks,It's being able to play the lottory and win when you want

Geno

06/03/2017

I had played may 31th never won , so !never played this friday lotto max Not playing saturday 649,,,,,gonna wait a week then play june 14th see what happens..wooo I won 8 dollars by not playing..you get it?

Geno

06/03/2017

I'll keep you posted

Geno

06/03/2017

thank god I didn't play, my numbers never came up again hehehehe

stacy

06/03/2017

Hi , is there anything stopping atlantic lottery from showing the big draws (649, lottomax) live on your youtube channel ....you know livestream it like thousands of youtubers already are doing ?? I think the trust factor would go way up .

Geno

06/03/2017

If I had played lottomax with my numbers, my 5.00 would have helped pay for Quebec and Ontario usual winners,,,no numbers came up, yesssss, $5.00 for the bag in the closet

Geno

06/04/2017

If I had used my numbers for tonight's 649 draw june 3/17 never guess what? no bye!! never won a prize. I would have spent 4.00 dollars oh well that 4.00 dollars is going in thst bag in the closet, yesssssss now don't get me wrong I'mm gonna play june 7th wed.If I don't win a prize I don't play for two weeks, all proceeds going into the bag in the closet, it's building heheheheheheheh

Geno

06/04/2017

made a mistake on last note,,,,, not playing june 7,,,,playing june 14,you gotta go a week without playing.....

Atlantic Lottery

06/06/2017

Hi Stacy; Thank you for your question about livestreaming the Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws. You’re not alone –we have received the same question from other players. Although we don’t have immediate plans to livestream these draws it is an idea we plan on discussing with the other Canadian lotteries that sell these games. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Geno

06/17/2017

Just checking in Janet, never won any prize,,,you know what that means,,,,not gonna play friday and saturday and the following two weeks,,,yessss the bag in the closet is filling up,,,,amazing,,why did I not think of this before,,,Janet@atlanticLottery? :)

Atlantic Lottery

06/19/2017

Hi Geno; Thanks for keeping us up to date! Despite what some people may think, Atlantic Lottery is always happy to hear about players who make an informed decision about how much money they spend on lottery products. We would much rather have a player set a budget and stick to it than a player who spends more than they intended. Glad to hear that you’re saving some money. Take care, Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

geneokok

06/27/2017

Still no Daily Grand for Atlantic Canada? It'll soon be July 1, What gives?

Atlantic Lottery

06/28/2017

Hi Geneokok; The plan is to launch Daily Grand this summer. We have to wait as we’re currently working on a larger IT project that will modernize all our systems. Daily Grand will go on sale when this new system launches. Once we know the exact date, we’ll let everyone know. Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Geno

06/30/2017

Played wednesday 649 and atlantic lottery june 28, never won a prize now I don't play any lottery game for 3 weeks and put all the money instead in that bag in the closet.....getting close to a $100 bucks already can't wait for it to be 5 weeks not playing,,,,,love it :)

Govinda

06/30/2017

Why draws are not done in presence of general public? Auditors and Security Officers alone can never never represent general public. Either Lotto management should do the draws as live broadcast in TV or in the presence of public. If not then there could be manipulation in the draws and smells fraud or scam. However lotto management dose not have right to play with the public, draws should be public as in other countries. People hate to see the manipulated and draws without the presence of the public.

Atlantic Lottery

07/05/2017

Hi Govinda; Thank you for your comments about our draws. You’re not alone – other players have asked why we don’t show our draws live. Currently, we show the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/AtlanticLottery. Showing these videos doesn’t address your concerns but I want to assure you that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. Strict guidelines are followed and external auditors are present for the draw. Atlantic Lottery takes comments like yours very seriously as they help us to understand what our players expect from us. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

geno

07/07/2017

Good point Govinda about the draws and the answer you got telling you you can view the most recent draws on you tube or any other place is so rediculous...videos can be made to show whatever you want, and I still find it hard to forgive what the auditors say Atlantic Lottery was up to in all the abuse of the atlantic provines's money. I hope all raises were recinded and that's the end of that conversation..........Here we are months and months and months while all of Canada plays Daily Grand and we can't, amazing.. I know, I know, still waiting for the 58 million upgrade to the system...Is the Federal Goverment helping out? hope so :)

gene

07/09/2017

02:15 and still no one knows who won 649 first or second prize, numbers are out,,,,,amazing, how hard must it be at all, up grade the system :)

Jimmy

07/22/2017

if someone doesn't play Tag, can the Tag number on their ticket be picked?

Atlantic Lottery

07/24/2017

Hi Jimmy; Yes, it is possible that if someone doesn’t play TAG, the TAG number that appears on their ticket could be drawn. This is possible because the six-digit winning TAG number is drawn at random using a ball machine and there is a chance that the winning number may match a six-digit TAG number that wasn’t played by a customer. TAG’s top prize is unlike the $1 million guaranteed prize on Lotto 6/49 and the $25,649 guaranteed prize on Atlantic 49 as the winning numbers for these two games are only selected from the pool of numbers that have been played by the customers. Thanks for your question. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Scott

07/31/2017

I think ALL lotto draws, regardless of which one is played, should be drawn, using the ball machine, on live television. There is not enough transparency!!

Steve

08/13/2017

I noticed this weeks lottomax and last weeks lottomax had the same last three numbers for the jackpot 27, 36, 37. The odds of that happening must be astronomical and makes me suspicious. Not showing the drawings live makes me even more suspicious.

Atlantic Lottery

08/15/2017

Hi Steve; Although it’s unusual for three winning numbers to be drawn again the next week, I can assure you the numbers were drawn randomly using a ball machine and there was no suspicious activity involved. Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max are Canada-wide games, and draws are conducted by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) under strict guidelines and with independent witnesses present. Players across Canada can be assured that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. If you are interested, you can see the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticLottery. Thanks for submitting your comment. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Nhung Nguyen

10/18/2017

Please let me know how to check the ticket number online and the prize awarded to my ticket

Atlantic Lottery

10/19/2017

Hi Nhung; When you buy your ticket on alc.ca and it wins, we will send you an email to let you know. If you’re in your alc.ca account, you can also find out if you won by going to either your Account History or My Messages. In your Account History, you’ll see a table with all your account activity which lists not only your purchases but also your wins. To see more information about either of these, please click the View Details on the right hand side of the table. In My Messages, messages that you receive about your account activity, including those for wins, are listed. – Thanks for your question. Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Paul Wilhelm

10/26/2017

I have over the years prior to the lottery Corp. going to the private drawings (meaning not in front of Tv cameras or public gatherings like in Nathan Phillip Square in Toronto or the Quebec Winter Carnival or at the Calgary Stampede and hundreds of other functions across Canada ) I have never seen any weekly ( Lotto Max or 649 draws go without a weekly Top spot winner ) but since the corporation went privately supposedly with auditors and head members of the banking systems of Canada as witnesses we see now almost every second or third week it starts a new quest of how big will the jack pot go before a winner is found... this seems to doubt many ticket buyers as to how honest these draws are. After all anything electronically operated as those EDM can be set up to pick out specific ####'S and these numbers that are not chosen are from the computer's memory list as unsold combination of numbers for that draw... ( that would explain why all lotto tickets printed are scanned at the time of the sale ) . So answer why are your drawings not done in front of a group of people instead of specific hand picked auditors and Bankers who could very easily be paid off with a large sum of gifts or cash

Atlantic Lottery

10/31/2017

Hi Paul; Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 are lottery games that are shared with the other government-owned lotteries across Canada. Here in Atlantic Canada, Atlantic Lottery is owned by the four provincial governments which means all of our profits go back to these governments instead of into the hands of private shareholders. Both the Lotto Max and the Lotto 6/49 draws are conducted by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) under strict guidelines and with independent witnesses present. The main draws for Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 are drawn at random using a ball machine. An electronic draw machine (EDM) performs the MAXMILLIONS and Lotto 6/49’s Guaranteed Prize. Regardless of how these draws are done, the one thing they all have in common is that the wins are completely random as there is no way to predict where a winning ticket will be sold. Lottery players across Canada can be assured that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Dirkie Johann Kock

11/24/2017

I received an e mail from Mark Boyce from lotto 6/49 this morning, claiming that I won a price of 800 000-00 Canadian Dollars. They selected 5 e mail adresse and mine is the winner off the price. The refrence number is 086. It sounds like a scam??? If someone can assist me please.

Atlantic Lottery

11/24/2017

Hi Dirkie; The email you received is a scam and did not come from Atlantic Lottery. There are many scams out there pretending to be Atlantic Lottery or other lotteries who try to get money and personal information from people. In order to win one of our prizes, you would need to buy a ticket from one of our retailers who are only located in Canada. Thank you for contacting us. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Geno

11/27/2017

The new overall we were waiting for in our Atlantic Lottery that cost 58Mill to improve our gamming wasn't much of a success I think!!!!! you could play a crossword game and pick 18 out of 26 letters now, you have 18 prepicked for you and never guess what? I just played and 3 yes, 3 letters that I turned over wern't even in any of the words .rip off or what, woww,,,,,,,new system not doing anything for me,,,,,,anybody else out there agree? How about you Janet@atlantic Lottery? Was the reasoning for changing the crossword game because too many people were winning? :)

Geno

12/06/2017

No answer for my last question how about this one,,,,,on the instant pick game 649 online it says the outcomes are predetermined. does that mean the winning set of numbers are already picked? this game is like a scratch card?

Atlantic Lottery

12/08/2017

Hi Geno; All of the Instant Win games that are sold on alc.ca have been designed to function similar to a Scratch’n Win ticket you would buy at a store. When you purchase an Instant Win game by selecting “Play,” just like when you buy a Scratch’n Win ticket at a store, the outcome of the game has already been determined. Because the Instant Win games are online we’re able to add animation to make them more interactive as you play out your purchase. Thanks for your question. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

geno

12/09/2017

why did The lottery take away the online crossword game where there was 26 letters and we got to pick our own 18 letters... Can you tell me ? and can we get the older version back because it was more enjoyable

Atlantic Lottery

12/13/2017

Hi Geno: When we launched our new website, we took the opportunity to update the games we offered on alc.ca. Unfortunately, the way the old Crossword game was built means it doesn’t work on the new site. Hopefully you’ll be able to find a new game on alc.ca that you'll enjoy playing as much as the old Crossword game. – Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Neil

12/17/2017

Algorithms CAN and have been written to select or reject certain numbers, for example: in some infamous 1 arm bandits popular in most casino's....What assurance to we have that this is properly monitored and inspected to prevent this happening. Dropping balls is more honest and certainly more exciting to watch. No electronic tomfoolery.

Geno

12/17/2017

Just reading Neil's question about what assurance do we have that everything is monitored? we don't.. Bottom line,, and has anybody really sized up the new updated atlantic lottory that costed 58 million?. hehehehe is it just me who thinks this is gone way beyond crazy? What we had before was better and by the way is there anybody winning on the instant games? maybe I could ask for a print out of who's winning. CAN I?

Atlantic Lottery

12/21/2017

Hi Neil; Thank you for asking about our Random Number Generators (RNG) as it gives us a chance to let you know what processes Atlantic Lottery has in place to ensure their integrity. Before any RNG is placed in production they are sent to an independent lab to certify that the devices do in fact operate in a random manner. The independent lab, after validating randomness, generates digital signatures. The digital signatures from the independent lab are validated with each draw by Draws Audit to ensure no tampering has occurred. The group that performs the draws is functionally separate from the group that audits the draw. If the signature were to not match for any reason the draw would be suspended and an investigation would be initiated to determine what happened. Records of these validation procedures are part of the draw file for each draw and subject to periodic external audit. Lottery players in Atlantic Canada can be assured that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public’s trust. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Atlantic Lottery

12/21/2017

Hi Geno; Thanks for asking about our Digital Instant games. Since we launched back in September, our Digital Instant players have won $1.89 million. This amount represents more than 305,000 wins. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Keith

01/20/2018

Just so you are aware, according to one of the planets biggest IQ's Stephen Hawking... "It is truly impossible for a computer to be random as it has to be programmed by someone." Therefore not a stretch to conclude the RNG's by their very nature cannot be random as an individual or individuals had to develop the program.

Jeremy

01/22/2018

I was just wondering, I just bought Atlantic 49 , but I didn’t buy Tag with it. But why does it say on my ticket ( No tag played) 539121. Why is there a tag number if I didn’t buy one, What is the 539121 number for ? Thx.

Atlantic Lottery

01/23/2018

Hi Keith; There are two basic types of systems used to facilitate random number generation; Pseudo and True random. What you have referenced in your comment would be considered pseudo random, in that a computer program is used to generate a sequence of seemingly random numbers. However, while these numbers appear random, anyone understanding the computer program can generate the same sequence of numbers and could predict numbers that would be generated in the future. The lottery does not use computer programs that generate predictable numbers for draws. At Atlantic Lottery, random number generation is based on devices specifically designed to generate random numbers. These use random natural characteristics, such as quantum phenomena, to provide unpredictable random numbers to ALC’s computers. Before use, each ALC RNG is comprehensively tested for randomness and unpredictability by an independent testing agency. Periodic re-certification is carried out during the life of the RNG. – Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Atlantic Lottery

01/23/2018

Hi Jeremy; Thank you for your TAG question. Printing the unplayed TAG number is just a reminder about that extra chance to win on a game that’s only available in Atlantic Canada. The overall odds of winning any prize on TAG are 1 in 10 and since it’s a game only available in our region, all of the profits from TAG go back to Atlantic Canada. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Paula

01/26/2018

Hi there! I was wondering how long does it take to receive your check when you win the lotto Max jackpot?

Atlantic Lottery

01/31/2018

Hi Paula; If you are claiming at the head office in Moncton, it takes three hours from the time the paperwork is complete to process a cheque. If you are claiming at one of our regional offices, please add an additional two days to receive your cheque. There could also be an additional wait if you work for or have an immediate family members that works for Atlantic Lottery or for an Atlantic Lottery retailer, or you are an Atlantic Lottery retailer. We do ask all our winners of $10,000 and above to call our toll-free number at 1-800-561-3942 to set up an appointment to ensure the best possible winning experience. Thanks for your question. - Janet @ Atlantic Lottery

Karen

02/13/2018

What exactly does the external auditor do and verify ? (For example, does he confirm that all the balls are exact same weight, are they the same dimentions, are they made of the same material, etcl). Is the same external auditor company used all the time ? Thank you.

Atlantic Lottery

02/13/2018

Hello Karen, Thank you for your inquiry. The balls used for the draws are measured and weighed every six weeks. If even one of the balls slightly varies in weight or diameter, the complete set is replaced. Between draws, the balls are locked away in a sealed container. Independent auditors attend each draw, and all draws are videotaped. All these security features are aimed at ensuring that every player has an equal chance of winning. Thanks! -Alysia

geno

02/15/2018

Is that true or false what the above guy name Keith said about all computers not being random cus it has to be programed by somebody.I noticed he never got a comment about his statement

Geno

02/15/2018

one more thing about the instant games on the Alc site.....If I had a site and I was selling instant win electronic tickets, I'wonder if I could have it done by the computer so numbers change from what's picked by the consumer until I want someone to win. It's darn amazing what PC's can do now....the 649 instant lottory game on the site is an example..how can we really be sure :)

Remi Villars

02/21/2018

You keep repeating that it is too difficult to set a time to view live draws with networks. My question to you is, " why can't you have a live stream feed on the web? let say you draw at 2am in the morning when western provinces close, you have a live stream on the net. Simple isn't it. we do it all the time with kids sports for grand-parents to watch so why can't the lottery make it stream live?

Atlantic Lottery

02/21/2018

Hi Remi, we do offer a broadcast of the draws on our Youtube channel. If you visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHE9NhmAnF5x997dckiiQvQ or search Atlantic Lottery in the Youtube search bar you will be directed to our channel where all the live draws are posted. -Stephane

geno

02/22/2018

I noticed in the past valentine's day extra draws not one winner in Atlantic Canada,,,oh yes we don't have enough tickets going in the basket,,,so why do we play this gane 649? 80 to 90% of the time Ontario wins or BC, okok Atlantic Canada not enough tickets to go in the basket like you would say, hmmmm, why are we playing? Besides fighting the odds 1 in 13 million we also have to fight the not enough tickets sold ....odds so, Stephane tell me, Why should we play?

Geno

03/07/2018

Ok I'll try this question, How come Quebec can play the National Game Lotto max and they can pick all three sets of numbers but we can't? Is this not discrimination? I wanna be able to pick all three sets

Atlantic Lottery

03/07/2018

Hi Geno - Each lottery jurisdiction across Canada is separate and each one has different options such as the ability to choose all three lines via selection slip or to purchase a greater number of advance plays. This has no effect on the outcome of the draw as customers have the same odds of winning whether they purchase a selection slip or instapik ticket since Lotto Max is drawn via a random ball drop. Please let us know if you have any further questions. Thanks again - Kristen

geno

03/10/2018

so, why can't I pick all three sets of numbers? why can Quebec do it and I can't? What's the reasoning behind not allowing me to do it? who made that rule for me I would like to know. And yes it does have an effect on the out come of the draw....a lot of times when a person can only pick one set, there are a lot of repeat numbers done by the computer for the other two sets.So give me a good reason why I can't pick all the numbers please?

Atlantic Lottery

03/10/2018

Hello Geno, I certainly do understand your frustrations when it comes to picking all of your numbers. Unfortunately our Lotto Max game was not designed in such way. I will certainly pass along that this is something you would like to see in the future to our Marketing Team. Kind Regards-Matt

geno

03/11/2018

Hello Matt I thought the Lotto Max Game was a National Lottery,You say our lotto max game was not designed in such way,,So what is it? Is it national where the rules apply to everyone or did someone decide for us we'll let some people do it this way and the others well, you have no other choice? And by the way( not in the future, I'd like to have it the same for all now Geno

Atlantic Lottery

03/11/2018

HI Geno, That's a great question, let me look into the reason behind this and get back to you. This will likely be tomorrow before I get an answer, but, I will let you know as soon as I hear back. Kind Regards, Darlene

Atlantic Lottery

03/11/2018

Hi Geno, I was able to get an answer for you sooner than I anticipated. Lotto Quebec is the only jurisdiction who allows players to pick all three lines. They originally launched it like the rest of the country, but, changed it later due to customer requests. AL has a small number of Lotto Max players who pick their own numbers approx. 3%, therefore the amount this change would cost, is not a cost effective solution for us. LQ may have been able to do this, as they have a much larger customer base which enables them to perhaps add extra features we are not able to. The great thing though, as Kristen had mentioned a bit earlier, the the odds of winning are exactly the same regardless if a player picks their own numbers or it’s an instapick. Let us know if you have any further questions. Kind Regards, Darlene

geno

03/12/2018

Hello So what I get from this response, maybe lotto 649 should be instapik only seeing as there's only a small % picking their own numbers and this could be cost efficient for us? just saying.I'm sure allowing to pick all sets of numbers could be added without too much of an expence seeing as we just spent 58Mil. to update our system. you probably got a smile on your face now thinking yeah Geno your right :)

Atlantic Lottery

03/12/2018

Hi Geno, What I'm actually saying is in order for us to make this change, it would be a substantial cost to the organization, therefore, we will not be implementing it at this time. Kind Regards, Darlene

Linda

05/04/2018

You keep saying the same thing over and over again about the most recent draw being taped for us to watch.....we want to see it live!! Not a tape that can be edited....get with times and do the draw on the up and up! We have that technology now you know!

Atlantic Lottery

05/05/2018

Hi Linda - Thanks for your suggestion! You're not alone - other players have asked why we don't show our draws live. The primary reason is our regional draws are done by Random Number Generator and therefore there is not much for the player to see. I want to assure you that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. Strict guidelines are followed and Random number generator means controlled access with dual physical and logical, when winning numbers are drawn the certified code is verified to be correct and it means 24/7 physical and logical monitoring. The Interprovincial Lottery Corporation oversees the Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 draws in Toronto so it would be at their discretion to air the draws Live. Currently, we show the most recent Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/AtlanticLottery. Kind regards, Joline

Budha nanda Bahadur

05/17/2018

How are the winning numbers selectsd? Please

Atlantic Lottery

05/20/2018

Good morning and thank you for your inquiry. The National games Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max (including MAXMILLIONS) are conducted using a ball machine. The balls used for the draws are measured and weighed every six weeks. If even one of the balls slightly varies in weight or diameter, the complete set is replaced. Between draws, the balls are locked away in a sealed container. Independent auditors attend each draw, and all draws are videotaped. All these security features are aimed at ensuring that every player has an equal chance of winning. Our regional draws (including TWIST and TAG), as well as the national game Daily Grand, are done by Random Number Generator (RNG). Our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. All of our draws are taped, strict guidelines are followed and external auditors are present for the draw(s). Kind regards -Alysia

Geno

05/26/2018

OK just get this!!! My chance of winning lotto max 1 in 28mill approx but apparently not so if, Ontario is gonna win it anyway approx. 80% of the time. we are down way down on the winning list. Check the stats and by the way if Ontario dosen't win? well, Quebec jumps in there and so does The West for 10% or more of the time..Just check out the last draw,, especially the 43 (one million) extra draws....same chance as everyone else you say here in Atlantic Canada? Not so, maybe 1 in 28million in the last 10% or5

geno

05/26/2018

We'd all like to see that RNGenerator in action. I would. Let us see the person turning it on and watch it spit out the set of numbers........What do all you people out there say? Sounds exciting? Lets have it then Live not taped.......

Atlantic Lottery

05/26/2018

Hello Geno, these draws are random, conducted with internal and external auditors present.

Geno

05/27/2018

I don't know who you are that answered my enquiries, you didn't leave a (kind regards-etc.) anyway, it doesn't matter. Your response (Hello Geno these draws are random, conducted with internal and external auditors present, got nothing to do with me asking about seeing the RNG in action wheather there's very little to be seen or not plus,what our chances really are when we know for a garanteed fact Ontario will win 80 % or more of the time.yes Ontario buys more tickets which means we don't have the same chance. Stats don't lie.

Atlantic Lottery

05/27/2018

Good afternoon Geno, thank you for your inquiry. This is an excellent question that I will have to pass along to our Draws department. I will follow up with you once I have an answer to your question. Thank you -Alysia

Atlantic Lottery

05/28/2018

Good morning Geno, thank you for your patience while I obtained an answer for you. Our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. There is always an audit process to all our draws as well so it is never just one person handling the draw. The random number generator (RNG) used to perform the draw has been independently tested and certified, which is held in a secure area with an external auditor in attendance. Independent auditors attend each draw, and all draws are videotaped. All these security features are aimed at ensuring that every player has an equal chance of winning. Unfortunately we do not allow the public in the draws area due to the security protocols surrounding the draw. You can still view the Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 draws on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticLottery. This feed is provided to us by the ILC. Kind regards -Alysia

Geno

05/28/2018

Alysia Alysia Alysia, you misunderstood me, that's ok. What I'm saying is me and maybe a whole lot of other players don't want to be actually in the play area we just want to be able to see a live feed of the draws.Example,to see the RNG being in action. Like the woman in the last few coments said we have the Technology to make the playing public happy. You can also comment on or, have somebody who knows,comment on what is really, I mean really our chances in Atlantic canada on winning 649, lotto max , extra bonus prizes,,Poor P.E.I. never got a cent in all the last 43 extra draws 649.If I were them I don't think I'd play outside Atlantic canada.

Atlantic Lottery

05/28/2018

Hello Geno, Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate your feedback and your comments will be shared with our Marketing department to see if a live stream is something that could be added in the future. Kind Regards, Matt

kenny stevens

06/21/2018

how come the low numbers don't come out most of the time

ken

06/21/2018

there is a program that shows the numbers that don't come out and that is the numbers that are drawn by ALC

Atlantic Lottery

06/21/2018

Hi Kenny - Thanks for your question. As the Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 games are drawn via ball drop and our other draw games are done with a random number generator, all numbers have the same chance of being drawn for each draw. Hope this helps! Kristen, Customer Care Centre

Atlantic Lottery

06/21/2018

Hi Ken - We don't use a program to determine which numbers we should pick or not pick for a draw. All numbers have the same chance of being drawn whether it's through the ball drop for Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 or the electronic draw done via random number generator for our other draw games. Thank you - Kristen Customer Care Centre

Peter

07/05/2018

Looking at some of the questions I can say from previous experience the lotto favors Ontario. I've been playing group play tickets for years with my fellow co-workers. We ran stats for two years plus and consistently Ontario (old stompin grounds) wins 86% to 89% of all jackpots. This includes major jackpots, secondary & guaranteed million dollar prizes. They only purchase around 44% of the tickets so to win that much consistently the odds should be against that. Quebec comes in second along with BC & Western Canada. Then we get to the Atlantic provinces, Newfoundland wins 70% to 75% for Atlantic provinces with the rest splitting the 25% to 30% . These stats were taken from the ALC website. This does not seem to be very balanced at all. Would love to the draws live and to see a more fair and balanced lotto that's good for all. Stats don't lie (unless forged), only people do.

Atlantic Lottery

07/06/2018

Good morning Peter, Thank you for your comments about our draws. You're not alone - other players have asked why we don't show our draws live. The primary reason is our regional draws are done by Random Number Generator and therefore there is not much for the player to see. I want to assure you that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. Strict guidelines are followed and Random number generator means controlled access with dual physical and logical, when winning numbers are drawn the certified code is verified to be correct and it means 24/7 physical and logical monitoring. The Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws are conducted using a ball machine. The balls used for the draws are measured and weighed every six weeks. If even one of the balls slightly varies in weight or diameter, the complete set is replaced. Between draws, the balls are locked away in a sealed container. Independent auditors attend each draw, and all draws are videotaped. All these security features are aimed at ensuring that every player has an equal chance of winning. We also upload the Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max draws to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/AtlanticLottery. This feed is provided to us from the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) who are located in Toronto, Ontario; ILC oversees all lottery jurisdictions within Canada. They do not televise the draws live due to the constraints of TV time slots such as the draw being delayed by a few minutes or a TV program that could run over into the draw time slot. All tickets purchased for a given draw have the same odds of winning but the chances of the winner being located in Ontario, Quebec, or Western Canada is greater due to the larger number of tickets purchased in those areas as you mentioned. Atlantic Canadians are winning big all the time. For a list of recent winners including large prizes on Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, please visit https://www.alc.ca/content/alc/en/corporate/are-you-a-winner/winners.html. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you, Kristen Customer Care Centre

Tom ouimet

07/26/2018

I am told that the guaranteed 1 million numbers start with the same number in each area axample in Ontario all those numbers start with 5 and Quebec start with either a 6 or 7 is this a fact?

Atlantic Lottery

07/26/2018

Hello Tom, Thank you for your inquiry. The Guaranteed Prize Draw number consists of a pool of numbers that has been distributed across the five different lotteries. Each lottery has its own pool of 20 million unique selections that they attribute in order as selections are sold, to restart at the beginning of the pool once they go through the entire pool. These numbers are simply there to identify unique selections. When it's time for the draw, there is no way to select from one region or another; each selection has the exact same chance of being drawn. Our Guaranteed Prize draw winning Selection is drawn only from those sold. These numbers are sent to the ILC who governs all 5 lottery jurisdictions. The guaranteed number is drawn from the pool of numbers that are pulled from everyone's 649 tickets. ILC system randomly picks a guaranteed number. There is always an audit process to all our draws as well so it is never just one person handling the draw. The random number generator used to perform the draw has been independently tested and certified, which is held in a secure area with an external auditor in attendance. Selections from BCLC (British Columbia) range from 00,000,000 to 19,999,999 Selections from WCLC (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) range from 20,000.000 to 39,999,999 Selections from OLG (Ontario) range from 40,000,000 to 59,999,999 Selections from LQ (Quebec) range from 60,000,000 to 79,999,999 Selections from AL (Atlantic Provinces) range from 80,000,000 to 99,999,999 So anytime you buy a Lotto 6/49 ticket in Atlantic Canada, your guaranteed prize draw number will start with either an 8 or a 9. We do not have any program in place that prevents repetition of a location. If we did, it would not be truly random. If we can be of further assistance please let us know. Regards, Matt

Lotto Player

07/28/2018

It's 2018. Live stream the lottomax draws on the website already. We have the technology.

Atlantic Lottery

07/28/2018

Hello, Thank you for your inquiry. Other players have asked why we don’t show our draws live. The primary reason is our regional draws are done by Random Number Generator and therefore there is not much for the player to see. Secondly, it was difficult for television networks to insert a segment of the required length at a precise time every draw night as well as the unpredictability of the time slot. I want to assure you that our lottery draws are conducted with the highest standards to uphold the public's trust. Strict guidelines are followed and external auditors are present for the draw. All of our draws are taped and we are more than happy to share a specific draw if requested. The Lotto Max, Lotto 649 draws are all performed with a ball machine at the ILC lottery head office in Ontario. Every draw is videotaped, and you can find them on our Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/AtlanticLottery or by searching for Atlantic Lottery on www.youtube.com . Please let us know if you have any further inquiries. Kind Regards, Olivier

Dodger

09/22/2018

It seems that tho persistent with your answers you begin to look more mindless and dishonest every time you repeat yourselves. Yes we have many requests for live viewings but unfortunately were still to crooked to play draws live. You'll have to learn to live with it as we try to find ways to answer your questions in sneakier formats to prevent sounding like morons stuck on repeat. Put some time into a random answer generator perhaps lol I've already come to terms with the reality it is what it is with some corporations so no need to baffle me.

Geno

10/08/2018

which is it? one time you say 08/20/2012 Hi Gerald, Yes, ball machines are used for all draw games available from Atlantic Lottery except GeoSweep, ShaBam and Salsa Bingo which are conducted using a random number generator (electronic draw machine). Mireille@AtlanticLottery............... then you say,,, Answer For Daily Grand, Keno Atlantic, Bucko, Salsa Bingo, Atlantic 49, TAG and MAXMILLIONS, an electronic draw machine (EDM) performs the draw using a random number generator (RNG). For Lotto 6/49’s and Atlantic 49’s Guaranteed Prize Draws, EDMs are also used to generate a winner from all the selections that have been sold. which is it?

Atlantic Lottery

10/08/2018

Hi Geno - The first part of your comment is copy/pasted from quite an old entry from 2012. The draw processes have changed since then and the second part of your comment is the current and correct information. Thanks - Kristen Customer Care Centre

Geno

10/08/2018

Ok so Ball machines were used for Atlantic 649...why did it change to using a (RNG)? Lotto 649 still uses a ball machine.. Does our game Atlantic 649 not need the same importance put on it? The ticket buyers do not like random number Generators as far as I can tell...

Atlantic Lottery

10/08/2018

Hi Geno, The RNG system was designed to be as unpredictable as a ball-drop draw. There are considerable safeguards as well as verification by external auditors occurs for ALL lottery draws regardless of how the results are generated. In terms of RNG, like the ball machine, the actual machines for RNG are kept in a safe in a controlled room at Interprovincial Lottery Corporation (ILC) offices. As well, there is an external audit of the draw itself. ALL lottery draws are audited internally and externally and there are a number of checks and balances that are the accountability of third party experts - from on-site auditors for draws to the verification of equipment by third party certification experts. We hope this builds trust within our system and how it operates. Regards, Brianna

Geno

10/08/2018

but but but:) my questio was, why was the way the numbers were drawn changed to a RNG picking the numbers? If this was done as an improvement to the game, howcome the national lotto 649 still uses the Ball drop machine?

Atlantic Lottery

10/08/2018

Good evening Geno, sorry that your question wasn't was not answered. We will get back to you with a response as soon as possible. Regards, Joline

Geno

10/09/2018

OK thanks Joline, I'll patiently wait

Atlantic Lottery

10/23/2018

Good afternoon Geno, thank you for your question. Technology is evolving and the future plans are that the National games will also be conducted using the RNG system. For further inquiries, don't hesitate to contact us. Regards, Joline

Geno

10/24/2018

So the answer to my question of why did ALC stop using the Ball drop machine and went to a Computer R.N.Generator for the Atlantic 649 draw is * Technology is evolving* you want to explain that a bit further? you mean we're ahead of Ontario and Quebec who still uses the ball machine for the 649 game?

Geno

11/01/2018

Can you tell me when the ball drop was discontinued and the RNG computer was implemented?

Atlantic Lottery

11/01/2018

Hello Geno, Thank you for your inquiry. Let me look into this and get back to you. Kind regards, Mathieu

Geno

11/07/2018

It couldn't have been too long ago

Geno

11/11/2018

I asked this question above 10 days ago,,,,, come on by,,,,,,,

Atlantic Lottery

11/12/2018

Good morning Geno, the Atlantic 49 main draw moved to RNG in September 2017. As for the Atlantic 49 Guaranteed draw, this has always been done using RNG. Regards, Brianna

Victor Boymook

02/15/2019

Should not use a computer to pick numbers. Easily manipulated by hackers. When they stop using the balls we should stop buying tickets.

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