Canadian lottery winner becomes a millionaire the day before his birthday
Becoming a millionaire and your birthday are two things to celebrate over, and one Canadian lottery player got to enjoy both in a very short time frame.
Duane Maldaner got a million-dollar surprise the day before his birthday, with the Magrath, Alta. local winning $1 million on the May 24 Lotto 6/49 draw.
“I was just sitting by myself and checked my ticket—I was pleasantly surprised!” he told the Western Canada Lottery Corporation (WCLC) while claiming his prize. “The kids were coming over for my birthday BBQ the next day so I knew I could tell them then!”
“When my wife came home, I just handed the ticket to her and waited for her to figure it out,” he chuckled. “Once she realized, we were both excited.”
Maldaner said his family had some more hilarious responses to the win, with one of his kids mentioning that he had already purchased himself a nice gift for his birthday and he won’t even get to enjoy it now thanks to the newfound windfall.
“The biggest birthday gift is knowing we’re going to retire comfortably in a few years,” he added. “It’s like a weight has been taken off—it’s freeing!”
Maldaner purchased his winning Lotto 6/49 ticket from Gonzo’s Gas N’ Go at 913 9 Ave. N. in Lethbridge. He won his prize in the Lotto 6/49 Gold Ball Draw on May 24 with the selection: 37210797-01, a white ball.
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