22-year-old Canadian scores lottery prize after finding ticket under pillow
A forgotten lottery ticket turned out to be a winner for one young Canadian after he discovered it under his pillow.
Lottery player Ethan M. lives in Woodstock, Ont., and works at a cement factory. The 22-year-old said that he only plays the lottery occasionally, and when he does, he likes buying newly released scratch games.
“I only buy tickets once in a blue moon. I choose ones that look fun and enticing,” he stated.
While at a convenience store one day, a ticket caught his eye, and he decided to splurge $50 on a Let it Roll instant lottery ticket. According to OLG, the game comes with a top prize of $50,000.
However, the ticket had been almost completely forgotten until one night when Ethan found the ticket under his pillow.
“I pulled out my phone to check it on the OLG app, not thinking much of it,” he said. “As soon as I saw the prize amount, I nearly fell off the bed — I couldn’t believe what I was seeing!”
He had won the game’s top prize, becoming instantly $50,000 richer. Despite being unable to contain his excitement, he said he had to wait until his parents were done with work to share the news.
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“I just sat there staring at my phone in disbelief, scanning the ticket over and over again to make sure it was real,” Ethan recalled. “I genuinely thought I was dreaming.”
Eventually, he called his parents on FaceTime to share the happy news.
“My mom was incredibly happy and couldn’t wait to celebrate with me after her shift,” he stated. “My dad was surprised and thrilled for me. It was such a special moment.”
While at the OLG Prize Centre to claim his cheque, he said he wants to buy a car and save and invest the rest of his winnings.
“Winning the lottery at such a young age feels surreal,” Ethan said. “It’s exciting to know I have a financial head start. I’m incredibly grateful because I know opportunities like this don’t come around often. I feel hopeful and optimistic about my future.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Devonshire Avenue in Woodstock.
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.