Canadian retiree learns about $40-million Lotto Max win while nude in bed
An Ontario retiree was woken up by a life-changing Lotto Max win.
Oshawa resident Bernard White has a hilarious (and slightly TMI) story about when he discovered he had won the $40-million Lotto Max jackpot from the Feb. 21 draw.
According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), the retired railway employee appeared shy and reserved at first when he collected his multimillion-dollar cheque during a recent OLG Winner Celebration.
OLG
He soon showed his witty and dry sense of humour and had everyone in stitches when he recounted the story of how he learned that he had hit the jackpot.
“For a couple of years, I’ve been buying two Lotto Max tickets a week ā one for me and one for my daughter. Before I go to bed, I always tell her to pick one. This time, she picked the wrong one,” White said with a smirk.
He says his daughter wakes up early for work, so she found out about his win first, the morning after the draw.
“She knocked on my bedroom door, waking me from a deep sleep. She said, ‘Dad, I think you won $40 thousand on your Lotto Max ticket,'” recounted White. “I looked at her, half asleep, and replied, ‘That’s great! Now we can now both pay off our cars.”
He tried to fall back asleep but couldn’t because he was too excited. Five to 10 minutes later, his daughter knocked on the door again to say that he actually won $40 million.
“Now I really wanted to jump out of bed, but I couldn’t because I sleep in the nude. I would’ve hit the ceiling if I’d had underwear on!” White laughed with a cheeky smile.
OLG
His daughter tried to work amidst all of the excitement but struggled to focus, so she decided to leave early.
“When my daughter came home, we both went to the store where I’d bought the ticket. We checked it at the lottery terminal, and it lit up like a Christmas tree!” the retiree recalled.
White then shared the amazing news with his longtime partner. She didn’t believe him at first because he liked to prank her.
He has some big plans with his Lotto Max windfall.
The 79-year-old is an avid fisherman and music lover, so he wants to treat himself to a new fishing rod and a set of $3,000 speakers.
When asked what he wanted to do with the remaining $39,996,800, he already knew the answer. “My daughter means a lot to me because when my late wife and I had her, she was the only child we could have. She’s going to be well taken care of.”
OLG
White has a big family with lots of siblings, so he wants to help them as well.
“I’ve dreamt about winning big money and sharing it with my family. It’s going to be a wonderful feeling to help them. I’ll be the favourite uncle for sure!” he said.
The 79-year-old also plans to travel and possibly go on a cruise around Newfoundland, where he was born.
Lastly, White will also give back to some health organizations he supports.
“There are several causes that are very close to my heart, and substantial donations will be made,” he said.
The massive Lotto Max win has made him reflect on his life. While he has lived a good life so far, he said, “I now plan to live life to the fullest and have fun!”
Make sure to check your lottery tickets ā you could be a new multimillionaire like White.