ratmaner / Depositphotos.com
Fifty years ago, WINTARIO kicked off Ontario’s love of lottery games with a live televised draw on May 15, 1975. Hosted by Fred Davis and Faye Dance, the show quickly became a province-wide hit. Travelling to communities across Ontario, WINTARIO brought excitement, gave away cash prizes, and helped fund over 33,000 projects in sports, recreation, arts, and culture.
The original game wrapped up in 1990, but its impact lives on. Today, 100% of Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) profits are reinvested in the province, supporting healthcare, local charities, Indigenous communities, amateur athletes, and more. In 2023-24 alone, OLG returned $2.4 billion to Ontario, paid out $2.6 billion in prizes, and contributed $96 million to charitable gaming.
To mark WINTARIO’s 50th anniversary, OLG is joining festivals across Ontario—like the Ottawa Jazz Festival, Essex Fun Fest and the CNE—with contests, games, and chances to win, all while giving back to local causes.
Written by Jeremy Hall