Canadian dad and healthcare worker split life-changing lottery prize
Two Canadian lottery players are both brand-new multimillionaires after splitting a Lotto 6/49 Classic Prize.
The draw took place on March 5, but no one won the Gold Ball prize worth $24 million. Although no one won the jackpot, two people from the same province managed to match all six winning numbers, winning the Lotto 6/49 Classic Draw prize of $5 million. According to OLG, both lottery tickets were sold in Ontario, making each winner $2.5 million richer.
“It was a regular day when I received an email from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation”
Sunil Desai of Mississauga, Ont. (OLG)
Now that he’s $2.5 million richer, Sunil Desai said he’s going to take some time to decide on what to do with his winnings.
“I’ll wait for my winnings to show up in my account before making any other decisions and will carefully evaluate my options,” he said.
Desai is a married father of two who lives in Mississauga, Ont., and has been a lottery player for over 20 years. When a friend won the lottery two years ago, he decided to create an account and buy tickets online.
“It was a regular day when I received an email from OLG. I was in the middle of getting ready, so I didn’t read it right away,” he recalled. “Just as I was about to leave the house, I thought to check my OLG.ca account.”
Desai was in disbelief when he discovered that he had won half of the $5-million prize, but he managed to carry on with his day. When he returned home, he shared the news with his shocked family and showed them the winning amount on his account.
While at the prize centre in Toronto to claim his winnings, he shared, “I’m now looking forward to taking a long, well-deserved vacation.”
“It didn’t feel real, and I was skeptical”
Elizabeth Cardoso of Mississauga, Ont. (OLG)
Elizabeth Cardoso recalled how she was working out when she found out about her win.
“I was at home on the treadmill when I logged into my OLG.ca account and saw that I’d won,” she said. “It didn’t feel real, and I was skeptical. I remained calm, needing to investigate further.”
The healthcare worker from Mississauga, Ont., said that she was in such disbelief that she couldn’t sleep even after reviewing the winning numbers with her husband.
While at the prize centre to pick up her half of the prize, she said, “It’s starting to feel more real, and I’m getting emotional. I never expected anything like this. I’m filled with gratitude and optimistic about the future.”
Cardoso shared that she already knows what she’ll be doing with her windfall.
“This money will be invested for our future,” she stated. “I’m excited to share this incredible news with my family and to plan a fun adventure for us all to go on.”
Online lottery sales have grown steadily in Canada in recent years — Desai himself only started buying tickets after opening an OLG.ca account — and broader gaming search interest has expanded well past ticket counters, with players now typing in queries that range from “how to play Lotto 6/49 online” to “what are the best casinos not on Gamstop for 2026?”
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, check out these resources.