What is a second-chance draw?
A second-chance draw uses non-winning ticket numbers as entries into a separate, supplementary draw. The original ticket already lost its primary game — but the unique ticket identifier becomes a free entry into a parallel pool, usually with smaller prizes than the main game.
Second-chance draws exist in some Canadian provinces (notably some scratch ticket lines and OLG Encore Bonus), but they're far less prevalent here than in US state lotteries.
Free plays vs second-chance draws
A 'free play' is a guaranteed prize at the lowest tier of most Canadian draw games. It's not a separate second-chance draw — it's just the prize structure for matching the bonus number alone, or matching a single number plus the bonus.
When you 'win' a free play, the retailer prints a new ticket for the same game's next draw. You're entered automatically.
- Lotto Max free play: match 2 main numbers + Bonus. Print a new ticket.
- Lotto 6/49 Classic free play: match 2 main numbers + Bonus. Same.
- Daily Grand: matches the Grand Number alone, returns $4.
- Add-on games (Encore, Extra, TAG): typically pay free plays for partial matches at the lowest tier.
OLG Encore Bonus
Ontario's Encore add-on game has run periodic 'Encore Bonus' campaigns where players who add Encore to a Lotto Max or 6/49 ticket are automatically entered into supplementary prize draws — separate from the main Encore prize structure.
Eligibility, prize amounts, and active dates vary. Always check the OLG website for current Encore Bonus terms; entries are auto-generated from your ticket purchase.
Scratch ticket second-chance draws
A handful of premium scratch ticket lines from OLG and BCLC offer second-chance draws via a player rewards site (OLG Lottery Rewards, BCLC PlayNow). You enter the ticket's serial number after scratching to enter a separate draw — even if the original scratch already lost.
Eligible games are clearly marked on the ticket. Eligibility windows are typically 30–90 days from purchase. Prizes range from cash and merchandise to travel.
Do second-chance draws improve your expected value?
Marginally, yes. A free entry into any prize draw is a positive expected-value addition to your overall lottery spend. But the prize pools are small relative to the main game, so the EV uplift is typically a few cents per dollar — not enough to change your fundamental decision about whether to play.
If you already buy lottery tickets regularly and don't currently enter Encore Bonus or scratch second-chance draws, doing so is a small free improvement. Don't buy lottery tickets *because* of second-chance draws — the math doesn't justify it.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Canadian lotteries have second-chance draws?
- Some do. OLG Encore has run periodic Encore Bonus campaigns; some BCLC and OLG scratch ticket lines run second-chance draws via player rewards portals. Outside Ontario and BC, second-chance draws are uncommon.
- What's the difference between a free play and a second-chance draw?
- A free play is a prize tier in the main game — matching certain numbers gives you a free ticket for the next draw. A second-chance draw is a separate, supplementary draw using non-winning ticket numbers as entries.
- How do I enter a scratch ticket into a second-chance draw?
- Register at the relevant operator's player portal (OLG.ca for Ontario, PlayNow for BC) and enter the ticket's serial number. Eligible products are marked on the ticket itself.
- Are second-chance draw prizes tax-free in Canada?
- Yes — they're operated by the same lottery corporations as the main games and follow the same tax-free treatment.
Related guides
How to Claim a Canadian Lottery Prize
Winning is the easy part. This guide walks through exactly how to claim a Canadian lottery prize at every level — what ID you need, where to go, how long you have, and what happens to the ticket itself.
Canadian Lottery Odds Explained
Headline jackpots make lottery odds sound abstract. This guide puts them in real-world terms — and explains why 'overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 7' doesn't mean what most players think it does.