Canada Lotto 6/49 Bonus Ball
Beyond the six main numbers, Lotto 6/49 draws a bonus number, and since 2022 the game also runs the Gold Ball draw. They are what set the Canadian game apart — here is what each does.
The bonus number
The bonus number is a seventh ball drawn from the same 1 to 49 pool after the six main numbers. In the Canadian game it awards certain second-tier prizes to players who matched five main numbers plus the bonus, sitting between the five-match and the full six-match jackpot. It is drawn every Lotto 6/49 draw, and you can also back it as its own fixed-odds market when betting.
The Gold Ball guaranteed prize
The Gold Ball game, added in the 2022 revamp, is a separate elimination draw tied to every Classic Draw ticket. It guarantees at least one player a fixed prize — starting at CAD 1 million — every single draw, and when a 'gold ball' is drawn instead of a white one, that winner takes the larger Gold Ball Jackpot, which grows until it is hit. It is what guarantees a Canadian millionaire twice a week. See the Canada Lotto 6/49 guide for the full picture, or odds and payouts for how markets are priced.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lotto 6/49 bonus number?
A seventh ball drawn from the 1 to 49 pool that awards certain second-tier prizes to players who matched five main numbers plus the bonus. You can also back it as its own market when betting.
What is the Gold Ball in Lotto 6/49?
A separate elimination draw that guarantees at least one player a fixed prize — starting at CAD 1 million — every draw, with the Gold Ball Jackpot growing until a gold ball is drawn.