$95 Million LOTTO draw is Canada's richest ever

$50 Million jackpot + estimated 45 'MAXMILLIONS' (additional prizes of $1 Million each)

RICHMOND, BC, June 16 /CNW/ - This Friday's LOTTO MAX draw is set to become the richest in Canadian lottery history, with an estimated $95 Million in total jackpot prize money to be won.

No winning ticket was sold for last Friday's LOTTO MAX jackpot, which means the game's $50 Million dollar top prize will carry over to the June 18 draw. In addition to the main jackpot, the draw will also feature an estimated 45 MAXMILLIONS, which are individual prizes of $1 Million each, giving players 45 more opportunities to win a jackpot prize with each ticket.

Three MAXMILLIONS were won in B.C. on last Friday's $77 Million LOTTO MAX draw, with winning tickets purchased in Richmond, Fort St. John (split), and North Vancouver.

So far, the only winner to claim is North Van's Sammy Amiralaei, who visited BCLC's Richmond office earlier this week to collect his $1 Million MAXMILLION prize. "I started screaming after checking the ticket," explained the 27-year-old, who works at a car dealership. "I called my mom first, then my boss. I just wanted to let him know that I'm still planning to work, but that I might take a little vacation."

So far this year, B.C. has produced three LOTTO MAX jackpot winners - all in March. Kevin Bowser from Houston, B.C. split a $19 Million jackpot with Ivan Catchpaw of Abbotsford, with each taking home $9.5 Million, while Derek and Frances Bird of Surrey set a new B.C. record as the richest jackpot winners in this province's history when they claimed their $25 Million LOTTO MAX prize.

GAME FACTS:

    
    -   When the LOTTO MAX jackpot reaches $50 Million, ticket sales begin
        funding additional $1 Million prizes called MAXMILLIONS. So, a total
        jackpot fund of $95 Million equals $50 Million + estimated 45
        MAXMILLIONS.
    -   Each MAXMILLION jackpot has its own separate draw following the main
        draw.
    -   To win a jackpot or MAXMILLION players must match 7/7 numbers (from
        1-49).
    -   Odds of winning a jackpot or MAXMILLION prize are one in 28.6 million
        per play.
    -   Each $5 ticket features 3 chances to win (7 numbers each).
    -   Tickets are sold until 6:00 p.m. (PDT) on draw day (Friday).
    -   If no ticket wins the $50 Million jackpot, it will again carry
        forward to the next draw, along with any MAXMILLIONS that are not
        won. However, if the $50 Million jackpot is won, any MAXMILLIONS that
        are not won will be added on to the next jackpot, which resets to $10
        Million.
    -   LOTTO MAX can be played at all BCLC retail locations and online at
        PlayNow.com.
    -   Winning numbers can be found online at bclc.com following each draw.
        Please allow extra time for the additional MAXMILLIONS draws.

    

BCLC is a provincial Crown Corporation that offers socially responsible gaming entertainment while generating income that benefits all British Columbians.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: about the game, photo ops, or to schedule an interview, please contact: Trevor Miller, Communications Officer, BCLC, O: 604-247-3013, C: 604-341-0752, E: [email protected]