Canadian call centre worker is a millionaire after second lottery win

It turns out lightning can strike twice after one extremely lucky Canadian won the lottery for the second time in just two years.

Gisele Pollock is a long-time lottery player and call centre employee who lives in Lakeville, N.B. One day, she decided to play the Powerbucks Wheel of Fortune Shimmering Sapphires, a casino game offered on alc.ca. After wagering just $3, Pollock could not believe her luck: she had won $1.1 million.

“I stamped my feet pretty well all day because I was so excited, vibrating from the whole
experience,” she shared. “It’s an awesome feeling.”

Wheel of Fortune Shimmering Sapphires (alc.ca)

Pollock had only recently switched to playing the lottery online, a decision that certainly worked in her favour.

“It’s so convenient, I don’t have to go out to buy tickets, everything is right there on my phone,” she stated. “I have my choice of buying lottery tickets or playing Instant games.”

The win was likely a case of déjà vu for Pollock — in 2023, she scored a $321,333 prize on an instant game.

Claiming her winnings was a family affair — she showed up at the Atlantic Lottery’s head office in Moncton, N.B., with her family and sisters, one of whom even came to visit from Quebec.

Atlantic Lottery

“I’m a simple girl, I like simple things, and I like to help my family out, so that’s what I plan on doing,” she said. “It’s a dream, and I’ll be able to help so many people.”

Pollock said she loves her job and has no plans to retire anytime soon. However, she does plan to cut back on her hours to spend more time with her loved ones. And speaking of which, she’ll be using her winnings to take her daughters and their husbands on a European river cruise. She’s also buying herself a new vehicle.

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.