Canadian wins $5 million in lottery, gives wife gift of early retirement
Like many lottery winners, one Canadian man’s big win means more than just money — it gives him the chance to care for his loved ones.
David MacDonald is a skilled trades worker who lives in Belle River, Ont. He said that he’s been playing the lottery since he was 19 and enjoys games like Lotto 6/49, Lottario, Poker Lotto, and the occasional Instant ticket.
“I especially like Instant Mega because of the win potential,” he shared.
One day, he stopped at a convenience store to buy a cigar and, while there, he decided to try his luck and picked out a $50 Instant Mega ticket. He played his ticket at the store and couldn’t believe his luck.
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“When I realized I’d won, I felt a little overwhelmed and started shaking. I was in disbelief and had to scan my ticket twice, just to be sure it was real!” he recalled.
MacDonald couldn’t believe that he had won the Instant Mega top prize — he was now $5 million richer. However, he was so shaken by his win that the store clerk gave him some water and offered him a seat.
“In that moment, my legs felt like jelly!” he said with a laugh. “I was completely shocked, and my heart was racing. I just kept thinking to myself, ‘This can’t be true!'”
At home, he shared the life-changing news with his wife.
“I showed her the slip from the store, and she was just as shocked as I was,” he said with a smile. “She was so happy and asked, ‘Does this mean I can retire now?’”
And with his multimillion-dollar win, MacDonald said he can finally fulfill his wife’s dream.
“I will share this win with my wife to give her an early retirement,” he said, smiling. “I also plan to take care of my mom and help out my kids. This win means I can give my children a hand up to build their lives, and that means so much to me.”
He said that the experience has been “crazy.”
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While at the OLG Prize Centre, he said, “Knowing I walked into the store to buy a cigar and left with $5 million — it blows my mind. Even now, seeing my name on the cheque, it’s hard to believe.”
MacDonald said he can finally explore his own dreams, such as stepping back from work to spend more time with his family.
“I’ll take this opportunity to enjoy a bucket list trip I’ve always wanted to take — a tour of England, Scotland, and Ireland!” he said.
The winning ticket was purchased at M&R Country Store on County Road 42 in Windsor.
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.