A life-changing lottery prize is still waiting for its owner in Barrie, Ontario. The $1 million Maxmillions prize from the Lotto Max draw on December 30, 2025, has yet to be claimed, leaving one lucky ticket holder potentially unaware of their newfound fortune.
Details of the Unclaimed Fortune
The unclaimed prize is tied to a specific Maxmillions draw that occurred on the final Monday of 2025. While the main Lotto Max jackpot for that date was awarded, this separate $1 million Maxmillions ticket was sold in the City of Barrie. As of the latest updates in early January 2026, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has not received a valid claim for this significant sum.
Lottery officials are reminding all players in the region to double-check their tickets from the year-end draw. The winning numbers for the specific Maxmillions draw in question are available on the OLG website and official app. Players are advised to look beyond just the main jackpot numbers, as secondary prizes like Maxmillions can be easily overlooked.
The Clock is Ticking for the Winner
According to standard OLG rules, winners have one full year from the date of the draw to claim their prize. This means the anonymous ticket holder from Barrie has until December 30, 2026, to step forward. If the prize remains unclaimed after that deadline, the funds will be redirected into a provincial lottery fund that supports various government initiatives.
This situation is not uncommon. Each year, millions of dollars in lottery winnings across Canada go unclaimed, often due to lost tickets or a simple lack of awareness from the purchaser. The OLG frequently issues public reminders for large unclaimed prizes, especially those in the seven-figure range, in hopes of finding the rightful owner.
What to Do If You Think You Have the Winning Ticket
If you purchased a Lotto Max ticket in Barrie for the December 30 draw, it is crucial to check it carefully. The recommended steps are:
- Locate your physical ticket or check your digital play slip on the OLG app.
- Compare your numbers to the official winning numbers for all Maxmillions draws from that date, not just the main draw.
- If your numbers match, sign the back of the ticket immediately to establish ownership.
- Contact the OLG to begin the validation and claim process, which can be done at an authorized retailer or an OLG prize centre.
For now, the mystery continues in Barrie. A local resident or visitor could be carrying a million-dollar secret in their wallet, purse, or car console. As the new year unfolds, lottery officials and the community await the moment when the lucky winner finally comes forward to claim their unexpected windfall.
