Play Powerball online in Canada
Yes, Canadians can play US Powerball. It isn’t sold by any provincial lottery, so from Canada you play through an online ticket service that buys an official ticket in the US for you. With Lottos Online a line costs €5.20, charged in euros: you get an email with your numbers and a scan of your ticket before the draw, and prizes are added to your account.
You appear to be in Ontario or Alberta, where Lotteries.com doesn’t link to online ticket services. You can still follow the Powerball results here, or play Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 with your provincial lottery.
Powerball draw time in Canada
Powerball is drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59pm Eastern Time. The next draw, across Canada:
| Time zone | Next draw |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland | Tuesday 12:29 a.m. |
| Atlantic (Halifax) | Monday 11:59 p.m. |
| Eastern (Toronto, Montréal) | Monday 10:59 p.m. |
| Central (Winnipeg) | Monday 10:59 p.m. |
| Saskatchewan | Monday 9:59 p.m. |
| Mountain (Calgary, Edmonton) | Monday 9:59 p.m. |
| Pacific (Vancouver) | Monday 8:59 p.m. |
Online ticket sales close a few hours before the draw.
How to buy Powerball tickets from Canada
- Open the Powerball page of an online ticket service such as Lottos Online and create a free account.
- Choose your numbers: 5 numbers from 1–69 plus a Powerball from 1–26, or a Quick Pick, and how many draws.
- Pay before the cut-off. Prices are in euros, so your bank converts the amount to Canadian dollars.
- Get your ticket: an official ticket is bought in the US for you; you get your numbers by email and a scan in your account.
- After the draw your ticket is checked for you and prizes are added to your account. For a large prize, the service helps you claim it.
Tax on Powerball winnings for Canadians
Canada doesn’t tax lottery winnings, so a prize isn’t income on your Canadian return. The US does tax it: 30% of a large prize won by a non-resident is withheld, and some states add their own tax. Under the Canada–US tax treaty you may recover part of the US tax by filing a US non-resident return. If you win a large prize, speak to a cross-border tax adviser before you claim.
Powerball vs Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49
| Powerball | Lotto Max | Lotto 6/49 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where to buy | Online ticket service | Your provincial lottery | Your provincial lottery |
| Price | €5.20 a line online | C$6 for four lines | C$3 a line |
| Jackpot | No limit; has passed US$1 billion | C$10M–C$90M (capped) | C$5 million, plus the Gold Ball |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 292,201,338 | About 1 in 33.4 million a play | 1 in 13,983,816 |
| Tax in Canada | None in Canada; US withholds 30% | None | None |
Powerball in Canada: questions
- Can Canadians play Powerball?
- Yes. You don’t need to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball, and Canadians win US jackpots regularly. From Canada you can buy a ticket in person in a US state that sells it, or online through a ticket service that buys an official ticket in the US for you and shows you a scan of it.
- Can I buy Powerball tickets online in Canada?
- Not from a Canadian lottery: Powerball isn’t sold by OLG, BCLC, Loto-Québec or the other provincial lotteries. You can use an online ticket service instead. Lottos Online charges €5.20 a line, in euros. Lotteries.com doesn’t link to these services for visitors in Ontario or Alberta.
- Do Canadians pay tax on Powerball winnings?
- Canada doesn’t tax lottery winnings. The US, though, withholds 30% of a large prize won by a non-resident, and some states add their own tax. Under the Canada–US tax treaty you may be able to recover part of it by filing a US non-resident tax return. Ask a cross-border tax adviser if you win.
- When is the Powerball draw in Canada?
- Powerball is drawn Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59pm Eastern Time, which is the same time in Toronto and Montréal. The table on this page shows the next draw in every Canadian time zone.
- Is Powerball bigger than Lotto Max?
- Usually much bigger. Lotto Max jackpots are capped at C$90 million, while Powerball rolls over without a limit and has passed US$1 billion. The odds are longer, though: the Powerball jackpot is 1 in 292,201,338, against about 1 in 33.4 million for a C$6 Lotto Max play (four lines).
- Is it legal to play from Canada?
- Canadian law reserves lotteries to the provinces, and on paper the Criminal Code also covers buying tickets in foreign lotteries. We know of no case of a Canadian player being prosecuted for it, and Canadians who win US jackpots are paid. It’s your decision; if in doubt, ask a lawyer.
Also: play Mega Millions from Canada · play Powerball online from other countries. Lotteries.com is independent. We earn a commission when you sign up through our links; it doesn’t change the price you pay. See our affiliate disclosure and play responsibly.