What is Payday For Life?
Payday For Life is an online lottery offered by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. Participants can purchase tickets electronically for a chance to win a grand prize of $3,000 per month for 20 years, along with additional Bonus Payday cash prizes throughout the campaign. All funds raised help support life-saving cancer research and care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
Is Payday For Life legitimate?
Yes. Payday For Life is a licensed Ontario lottery operated by The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation in accordance with applicable lottery regulations.
Is this lottery connected with The Princess Margaret Home Lottery?
No. Payday For Life is a separate lottery program.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets to The Princess Margaret Home or Cottage Lottery, you may do so by calling 1-866-631-1234 or buying online at www.princessmargaretlotto.com. Tickets for The Princess Margaret Home Lottery – Fall 2026- are on sale from now through December 4, 2026, at 23:59 ET.
The Prizes
What prizes can be won?
The lottery features one Grand Prize of $3,000 per month for 20 years, five Bonus Payday prizes of $10,000 each, two Bonus Payday prizes of $25,000 each, and one Bonus Payday prize of $50,000.
What is the Grand Prize?
The Grand Prize is $3,000 per month for life (20 years).
Can the Grand Prize be taken as a lump sum instead of monthly payments?
Yes. The Grand Prize winner may elect to receive a lump-sum cash alternative in lieu of the monthly payments, subject to the official Rules of Play.
Eligibility
Who can purchase a Payday For Life ticket?
Payday For Life is open to Ontario residents only who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of purchase
Can I purchase a ticket if I live outside Ontario?
No. Payday For Life is open only to residents of Ontario. Ontario must be the province of your primary residency.
How old do you have to be to purchase a ticket?
Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Tickets cannot be purchased in the name of a minor.
Who is not eligible to purchase a ticket?
Board members and employees of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, applicable UHN and Princess Margaret leadership groups, and licensed gaming suppliers and their immediate family members residing in the same household are prohibited from purchasing tickets.
How to Enter
How does Payday For Life work?
Participants purchase tickets online for a chance to win cash prizes (Bonus Paydays) throughout the campaign. Tickets purchased before any draw deadline are automatically entered into the next draw and all future draws, including the Grand Prize draw. Tickets purchased before the first deadline, October 1, 2026, will be entered in every draw throughout the campaign. Winning tickets remain eligible for all subsequent draws, including the Grand Prize draw.
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets are available exclusively online through the official Payday For Life website https://pmcfpayday.ca/ during the lottery sales period. Please note that tickets are not available by phone or by email.
What ticket packages are available?
1 ticket for $20; 3 tickets for $50; 15 tickets for $100; and 35 tickets for $150.
What is the total number of tickets available?
A maximum of 425,000 tickets are available for sale in Payday For Life.
Can there be multiple names on a ticket?
Yes. Up to three names may be recorded on a ticket. Guidelines for purchasing tickets are:
Only ONE method of payment.
Only ONE mailing address.
Up to THREE names may be recorded on a ticket.
All tickets in a pack must contain the same information.
What are the odds of winning?
The odds of winning depend on the number of tickets sold and the specific prize draw. Please email paydayforlife@thepmcf.ca for specific odds.
Can I receive a refund for my ticket purchase?
All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable, except where required by law or otherwise specified in the Rules of Play.
Draws & Winners
What is the purchase deadline and draw schedule?
Payday For Life features eight Bonus Payday draws and one Grand Prize draw. Tickets purchased before a draw deadline are eligible for that draw and all subsequent draws, including the Grand Prize draw.
TICKET DEADLINES & DRAW DATES
Prize 1: Weekly Bonus Payday - $10,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 2: Weekly Bonus Payday - $25,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, October 8, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 3: Weekly Bonus Payday - $10,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, October 15, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 4: Weekly Bonus Payday - $10,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, October 22, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 5: Weekly Bonus Payday - $25,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, October 29, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, November 3, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 6: Weekly Bonus Payday - $10,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, November 5, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 7: Weekly Bonus Payday - $50,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, November 12, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 8: Weekly Bonus Payday- $10,000 (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, November 24, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, November 25, 2026, Noon ET
Prize 9: Grand Prize - $3,000 a Month for 20 Years (One Draw):
-
Deadline to purchase: Thursday, November 26, 2026, 23:59:59 ET
-
Draw date: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, Noon ET
-
Draw announcement: Wednesday, December 2, 2026, Noon ET
How are the draws conducted?
Prize draws follow a strict set of procedures, with draw control oversight by BUMP, Worldwide, Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Banknote Company Limited and a registered gaming supplier with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and under licensing approval by the licensing body (AGCO).
All prize draws will be made using a certified Random Number Generator software (RNG) under the supervision of BUMP, Worldwide, Inc.
How are winners notified?
Prize notifications will be delivered by telephone and will be addressed to the primary ticketholder. A representative from The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation will contact the individual(s) named on the official winning ticket.
Where can I see the winning ticket numbers?
Winning ticket numbers and winner information will be posted following each draw on the winning numbers page: https://pmcfpayday.ca/pages/winning-numbers beginning on October 7, 2026.
How long do I have to claim my prize?
We ask that all winners claim their prizes within six (6) weeks if possible. Prizes must be claimed within six (6) months of the applicable draw date
Order and Confirmations
When will I receive my ticket confirmation and ticket numbers?
You will receive your ticket numbers shortly after purchase in an email from paydayforlife@thepmcf.ca. Most purchasers receive their confirmation within a few minutes.
If you have not received your email confirmation within that time, please check your junk/spam mail folder.
If you haven’t received your email ticket confirmation 30 minutes after you’ve purchased your ticket(s), you can submit a support ticket by clicking on the "Contact Support" button on our website, pmcfpayday.ca or emailing paydayforlife@thepmcf.ca.
I deleted my confirmation email. Am I still eligible for the draws?
Yes. You do not require your email confirmation to remain eligible for the draws.
Funds and Tax
Does all the money flow through to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre?
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation receives the revenue from all Payday For Life ticket sales and, after paying expenses, grants the remaining funds to Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to support life-saving cancer research and care.
How will proceeds from Payday For Life be used?
The funds raised will advance breakthrough cancer research and help set new standards of care for patients at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and around the world.
Will I be issued a tax receipt?
No. According to Canada Revenue Agency regulations, charity lottery purchases are considered entertainment and not a direct donation. Therefore, we are unable to issue a tax receipt for Payday For Life ticket purchases.
Do I have to pay tax on any winnings?
No. Lottery winnings are generally considered a windfall and are not taxable in Canada.
Privacy and Communications
Does the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) affect Payday For Life?
By purchasing a Payday For Life ticket, you may receive transactional emails related to your ticket purchase and the lottery program. These transactional communications are not subject to CASL opt-in requirements. If you are not already a donor or supporter, your purchase may establish an existing business relationship under CASL, allowing communications for up to 24 months. You may unsubscribe at any time and doing so will not affect your eligibility for any prize draw.
What is your privacy policy?
The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation is committed to protecting your privacy. Personal information collected will be used to process ticket purchases, administer the lottery, contact prize winners, provide customer support, and communicate about future fundraising programs. You view our privacy policy at https://pmcfpayday.ca/pages/your-privacy-choices-1.
Technical and Platform
Who is BUMP Worldwide Inc?
BUMP Worldwide, Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian Bank Note Company, is a licensed gaming supplier that supports lottery operations and is responsible for ticket issuance, draw control, prize fulfillment, and customer care for The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation's Payday For Life Lottery.
Who/What is Shopify?
Shopify is the secure ecommerce platform used to process online ticket purchases.
What is the Lottery Licence Number for the Payday For Life Lottery?
RAF1573916
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?