ONTARIO LOTTO MAX PLAYERS GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT BIG JACKPOT

TORONTO, Dec. 30 /CNW/ - New Years Eve might be a lucky night for Ontario LOTTO MAX players. Since no-one in Canada held the winning ticket for the $50 million jackpot in last week's Christmas Eve draw, Ontario players are getting another chance this week at the estimated $50 million jackpot and the additional estimated18 MAXMILLIONS prizes.

"Talk about starting 2011 off with a bang! This would be a great way to begin the New Year for Ontario LOTTO MAX players because there are lots of additional $1 million prizes up for grabs, on top of the big jackpot," said Wendy Montgomery, Vice President of Lottery Marketing and Sales at OLG. 

Although no-one won the estimated $50 million jackpot last week, there were still some major prizes won, including three MAXMILLIONS prizes, two winners of a second prize and one winner of a $1 million Ontario only BONUS prize.

MAXMILLIONS are added to the game when the jackpot reaches an estimated $50 million. MAXMILLIONS prizes are drawn separately from the LOTTO MAX jackpot draw, which means that a LOTTO MAX ticket not only gives players a chance at $50 million but also the chance to win any of the $1 million MAXMILLIONS draws on the same date.

Since its launch in September 2009, Ontario LOTTO MAX players have won more than $365.6 million in prizes, including 5 jackpot wins and 82 winning MAXMILLIONS tickets from all across the province.

For each $5 play, LOTTO MAX players receive three sets of seven numbers ranging from one to forty-nine. ENCORE is also available on LOTTO MAX for $1.

Players can purchase tickets at authorized OLG retailers until 9 p.m. on Friday, December 31 for that evening's draw.

OLG is a provincial agency responsible for province-wide lottery games and gaming facilities. Since 1975, OLG lotteries, casinos, slots, and resort casinos have generated more than $32 billion for the benefit of the Province of Ontario.  Gaming proceeds support Ontario's hospitals, amateur sport, recreational and cultural activities, communities, provincial priority programs such as health care and education, and local and provincial charities and non-profit organizations through the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Know your limit, play within it!

THE ONTARIO PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE 1-888-230-3505

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For further information:

Sarah Kiriliuk
Media Relations Manager
Ontario Lottery and Gaming
416.726.3641