Canadian teenager wins big lottery prize on first ticket she ever played
A teenager from Ontario had beginner’s luck on her side, winning her first major lottery prize.
Minden resident Haleigh Alessandra Bettencourt-Ferraro is $75,000 richer after winning a top prize with Instant Gingerbread Bucks.
The 18-year-old won the hefty lottery windfall on the very first ticket she ever played. Bettencourt-Ferraro was given the ticket as a Christmas gift from her great-aunt.
OLG
“I played the ticket at home in my living room,” she recalled during her visit to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her winnings.
“When my mom scanned it on her phone and realized I’d won the top prize, she and I were both in disbelief. It was such a wonderful moment — my hands started shaking, and I was completely flabbergasted!”
Bettencourt-Ferraro shared the amazing news with her loved ones, including her grandma and aunt. It’s a sweet win considering the health complications the 18-year-old said she has had to deal with.
“They said I deserve this win, especially after everything I’ve been through,” she said. “I recently spent several months in the hospital, and there were many hard moments. Winning feels amazing and unbelievable. It’s like being stuck on your favourite roller coaster.”
Bettencourt-Ferraro plans to use her very first lottery windfall to fulfill a personal passion.
“I’m hoping to get a horse,” she said with a smile.
“I’ve been horseback riding since I was a kid. If I get to name it — maybe Spots!” she concluded.
The winning lottery ticket was purchased at the CNIB kiosk in Walmart on Strathy Road in Cobourg.
She isn’t the only teen who has won the lottery. In February, a 19-year-old nabbed a major prize and decided to put it towards paying off his sister’s student loans.
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.