Canadian Gen Z retail worker now a millionaire after lottery win
A young Canadian lottery player has set his sights on the future after landing an impressive win with a ticket that cost just a few dollars.
Joseph Sena is a 27-year-old retail worker from Toronto, Ont., who enjoys playing the lottery. He said he chooses games such as Lottario, Ontario 49, Proline, and Encore. One day, he decided to buy a Lottario ticket, opting to add Encore for an extra chance to win.
After the draw, Sena used the OLG app to check his tickets and discovered that he won.
“At first, I thought I won $1,000. I thought, ‘Nice!’” he shared.
But when he looked closer, he realized that his win actually came with a couple of extra zeros. After matching the Encore numbers 2504624 in the June 21 Lottario draw, Sena had won $1 million.
Winner Joseph Sena from Toronto (OLG)
“I checked it about 20 times before believing it was true,” he recalled with a smile.
While at the OLG Prize Centre to pick up his cheque, he said that when he shared the news of his win with family and friends, they were just as shocked.
When asked what he plans to do now that he’s a millionaire, Sena said he’s focused on making big plans for his future, thanks to the financial security he’s gained. He wants to use his windfall to go back to school.
“It doesn’t feel real,” he said. “This actually changes my life. It lets me do everything I never had the opportunity to do.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on The Queensway in Etobicoke.
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.