At a glance
Add-on games are sold only as an extra alongside another ticket purchase. They're low-cost, draw-frequent, and structured around matching part of a multi-digit number.
| Add-on | Region | Cost | Top prize | Top-prize odds | Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encore | Ontario (OLG) | $1 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 10,000,000 | Per Lotto Max / 6/49 / Lottario draw |
| Extra (Western) | WCLC provinces | $1 | $1,000,000 | 1 in 3,764,376 | Per Lotto Max / 6/49 draw |
| BC Extra | British Columbia (BCLC) | $1 | $500,000 | 1 in 3,764,376 (4-of-4 match) | Per Lotto Max / 6/49 draw |
| TAG (Atlantic) | Atlantic provinces (ALC) | $1 | $100,000 | 1 in 1,000,000 | Per Lotto Max / 6/49 draw |
How add-ons actually work
Encore prints a 7-digit number on your ticket. The drawn 7-digit number is matched left-to-right and right-to-left. Match all 7 in order = $1,000,000.
Extra (Western) and BC Extra print a 4-digit number. Match all 4 in exact position = top prize.
TAG prints a 6-digit number. Match all 6 in exact position = top prize.
Each game has an internal prize ladder — you can win on partial matches starting from a single digit, scaled appropriately.
Value per dollar
All four games charge $1 and deliver overall odds in the 1-in-3 to 1-in-9 range (mostly free plays or $1–$5 cash). For pure jackpot odds per dollar, Western Extra is dramatically better than Encore — both cost $1, but Extra's top prize is ~3× easier to win, with the same headline figure of $1M.
Atlantic TAG has the best per-dollar odds for any prize but the lowest top prize at $100K. BC Extra splits the difference: same $1 cost as Western Extra and same odds, but a smaller $500K top prize.
Should you add one to your ticket?
- If you live in a WCLC province (MB, SK, AB, YT, NT, NU): Western Extra has the best per-dollar jackpot value of any add-on in Canada. Genuinely the best deal.
- If you're in BC: BC Extra is the same odds as Western Extra at half the top prize. Still solid, but not class-leading.
- If you're in Ontario: Encore costs the same as Western Extra but is roughly 3× harder to hit the top prize. Players don't usually buy Encore for the math — they buy it because it's there.
- If you're in Atlantic Canada: TAG is mostly entertainment value. Top prize is small but odds are good. Buy if you enjoy frequent small wins.
How often are draws held?
Add-ons piggyback on the Lotto Max and 6/49 draw schedule, so most players see at least four draws per week. Encore additionally runs alongside Ontario-only games like Lottario, doubling Encore's effective draw count for Ontario players.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I buy an add-on without buying a Lotto Max or 6/49 ticket?
- No. Add-ons must be purchased alongside another lottery game. They're not stand-alone products.
- Which add-on has the best odds?
- For top-prize odds, Western Extra (and BC Extra) are class-leading — 1 in 3.76M vs Encore's 1 in 10M, both costing $1.
- Are add-on prizes tax-free in Canada?
- Yes. Add-on game prizes are operated by the same lottery corporations as the main games and are tax-free under Canadian law.
- How are Encore numbers drawn?
- Encore numbers are drawn by a random number generator certified by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. The 7-digit result is published with the main game results.