40 years ago, Loto-Québec introduced a new draw: Lotto 6/49. The first pan-Canadian lottery, 6/49 was to change the habits of Quebecers on the size of its jackpots. Go back to the context in which this draw appeared.
On June 12, 1982, the first draw of the 6/49 lottery offered a guaranteed minimum jackpot of $ 500,000. Quebec fell into an economic crisis.
The Newscast June 16, 1982 testifies to this period. Bernard Derome presented a report on the consumption habits of Quebecers in the midst of a recession:
” As Gilles Morin reported, tickets to Loto-Québec still sell like hot cakes and every punch is generously sprinkled. “
Journalist Gilles Morin’s report shows that Loto-Québec sales have risen 10% over the past year. In 1982, Quebecers also ranked second for beer consumption in Canada.
” Only residents of the Northwest Territories will exceed Quebecers by a few cans [de bière]. “
Therefore, in this context, the 6/49 lottery emerged. However, it was not until the August 7, 1982 draw, two months after it was put on the market, that the first jackpot was won.
Then, in January 1984, Lotto 6/49 reached peak popularity with record sales for Loto-Québec. The show Punto of January 5, 1984 examined this attraction to the lottery.
” It was a real frenzy, Loto-Québec’s kiosks were crowded, the computer overheated, Saturday’s 6/49 and its jackpot of 5 million were reversing the lottery industry’s dream. “
Host Simon Durivage talks to Loto-Québec President Jean-Marc Lafaille about this draw that is on everyone’s lips. “Sweet madness or furious? the question guiding his interview.
In this regard, host Denise Bombardier collects the comments of sociologist Jacques Grand’Maison on the “sacred if not consecrated institution” represented by Loto-Québec. This part of the program discusses the problem of public morality raised by the lottery.
” Of all the daily opium, it is the most secretive and hardest drug to handle. It is growing now. “
The study of Lotto 6/49 as a social phenomenon is not over. In March 1986, a draw would also mark Quebec society. A Lavigueur family won a jackpot of $ 7,650,267, the highest in history at the time.
Source: Radio-Canada
