Canadian Lottery Apps: A Friendly Guide
Lottery operators in Canada all run their own free apps that let you check past draws, scan tickets to see if they're winners, view jackpot updates and (in most provinces) buy tickets online. This Let's Do It Lucky guide covers the official apps province-by-province so you know which one applies to you and what each one does well.
Always download lottery apps from the official Apple App Store or Google Play, listed under the publisher name of the relevant Crown corporation. There are unofficial third-party apps with similar names — these aren't operated by lottery corporations and shouldn't be used for ticket validation.
Official Provincial Lottery Apps in Canada
| Province / Region | Operator | Official App | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | OLG | OLG Lottery | Ticket scanning, online play, draw alerts, INSTANT games |
| British Columbia | BCLC | Lotto! BC | Ticket checker, draw notifications, retailer locator |
| Quebec | Loto-Québec | Lotteries | Ticket checker, results, push alerts for big jackpots |
| Atlantic Canada | ALC | ALC Lotto Spot! | Scan tickets, save favourite numbers, view results |
| MB / SK / AB / NWT / YK / NU | WCLC | WCLC App | Ticket checker, draw schedule, retailer search |
OLG Lottery App (Ontario)
Ontario's OLG app is one of the most full-featured in Canada. Beyond checking tickets, Ontarians can purchase Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand, Ontario 49 and more directly through the app, sign in to PROLINE+, and play digital INSTANT scratchers. Sign-up requires verifying age (18+ for charitable raffles, 19+ for most lottery and gaming products), province of residence, and identity.
PlayNow / Lotto! BC (British Columbia)
BCLC operates two consumer apps: the Lotto! BC app for ticket scanning and information, and the PlayNow app for online lottery purchases and casino-style play (where licensed). For lottery tracking specifically, Lotto! BC is the go-to. PlayNow includes the GameSense responsible-play overlay built directly into the app.
Loto-Québec App
The official Loto-Québec app supports both English and French. It covers all major Quebec draws including Quotidienne, Lotto Québec 49, plus the national Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49. Quebec residents can also use Loto-Québec's separate Espacejeux app for online play.
ALC Lotto Spot! (Atlantic Canada)
Atlantic Lottery Corporation's Lotto Spot! app serves New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and PEI. The app focuses on quick ticket scanning, results notifications, and a "favourites" feature so you can save your regular numbers and easily check whether they hit.
WCLC App (Western Canada)
The Western Canada Lottery Corporation's app covers Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, the Yukon, NWT and Nunavut. It supports the major national draws (Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Daily Grand) plus Western 6/49, Western Max, Pick games and more. Note that Alberta runs ticket sales through a separate retailer network — the app focuses on results and ticket checking.
What These Apps Are Not
It's worth being clear: these are official Canadian lottery apps run by the provincial Crown corporations. They are not casino apps, sportsbook apps or third-party gambling tools. If you see an unofficial "Canadian lottery" app from an unknown publisher, treat it with caution — only the apps operated by OLG, BCLC, Loto-Québec, ALC and WCLC have access to verified draw data.
How to Scan a Ticket
- Open the official app for your province.
- Choose "Check ticket" or the camera/scan icon.
- Allow the app to access your camera.
- Hold your ticket flat under good light and align the barcode in the frame.
- The app will show whether you've won, the prize amount, and where to claim larger prizes.
Responsible Play
FAQ — Canadian Lottery Apps
Are Canadian lottery apps free?
Yes. All five regional Crown corporation apps are free to download and use. You only pay if you choose to buy tickets through the app.
Can I buy tickets online in every province?
Online ticket purchase is available in Ontario (OLG), British Columbia (PlayNow), Quebec (Loto-Québec), Atlantic Canada (ALC) and Manitoba/Saskatchewan (PlayNow MB/SK). Alberta currently sells tickets only through licensed retailers.
Do the apps work offline?
Some features like saved favourites or recent draw history may load offline, but ticket scanning and live result updates require an internet connection.
Is my data safe in lottery apps?
Crown-operated lottery apps follow strict Canadian privacy regulations. Personal info is encrypted and only used for account verification, prize payment and responsible-gaming features.
What if my ticket is partially damaged?
If the app can't read the barcode, take the ticket to any authorised retailer or a regional prize centre — they can verify it manually using ticket numbers and purchase data.