A long-unclaimed $40 million Lotto Max jackpot has finally been claimed, just hours before the winning ticket was set to expire. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) confirmed that the ticket was validated at a lottery retailer shortly before the midnight deadline.
The winning ticket was purchased in Grey County, Ontario, for the October 28, 2025, Lotto Max drawing. Surprisingly, the massive jackpot had gone unclaimed for an entire year.
What Happened to the $40 Million Winning Ticket?
OLG officials were stunned that someone waited until the final hours to come forward.
“I am gobsmacked,” said Tony Bitonti, OLG's director of media relations.
According to Bitonti, it's not unusual for major lottery winners to take a few months before claiming their prizes. Some need time to process the news or speak with financial advisers. However, after several months passed without anyone claiming the $40 million prize, OLG launched a public awareness campaign to find the ticket holder.
The lottery corporation also urged players to check places where they might have forgotten a ticket, including:
- Pockets and wallets
- Drawers and backpacks
- Car glove compartments
- Other places where lottery tickets are commonly stored
Grey County attracts tourists, vacationers, and day visitors, meaning the winning ticket could have belonged to someone from anywhere in Canada.
Who Is the Lucky $40 Million Winner?
Although the ticket has been validated, OLG has not yet revealed the winner's identity. Officials also don't know whether the ticket belongs to an individual or a group.
The lottery corporation must complete its verification process to confirm that the person presenting the ticket is its original purchaser.
What Happens After a Winning Ticket Is Validated?
OLG follows a detailed procedure whenever someone presents a major winning ticket.
Once the ticket is scanned, the lottery terminal automatically sends an alert to the customer care center. The terminal is then frozen to preserve all ticket-related information.
A customer care representative contacts the retailer and begins reviewing the claim. The investigation may involve:
- Checking proof of purchase.
- Reviewing store security footage.
- Asking the claimant questions about when and where the ticket was purchased.
Bitonti suggested that the winner could be officially announced within a few days.
However, if nobody had claimed the prize before the deadline, the entire $40 million jackpot would have been declared void. The money would then have returned to players through future Lotto Max bonus games or promotional events.
Not Canada's First Major Unclaimed Lottery Prize
Canada has experienced another major unclaimed jackpot in the past.
In 2022, a $70 million Lotto Max jackpot went unclaimed after the winner failed to come forward within the required one-year period. The ticket had been purchased from an authorized lottery retailer in Scarborough, Ontario.
At the time, it became the largest unclaimed lottery prize in Canadian history.
This latest $40 million case had a much happier outcome, with the winning ticket finally making it to a lottery terminal just before time ran out.
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