Canadian retiring after almost missing out on $5 million lottery prize
Imagine winning a massive lottery prize and not even knowing it. That’s exactly what happened to one lucky Canadian.
Connie Christie is a resident of Beachville, Ont., who works in logistics. Although she’s been playing the lottery occasionally for decades, she only started buying tickets regularly the past seven years, opting to play Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and Ontario 49.
Christie checks her tickets once a month to see if she has won anything, but admits that she sometimes forgets.
On April 17, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) issued a news release: someone in Ontario had won a $5 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot, and the prize was about to expire.
Christie had been out running errands when she heard the news and remembered that she had recently found a small stack of tickets that she hadn’t checked yet.
Loto-Quebec
“When I heard the details, I turned to my mom and said, ‘I have a feeling that’s my ticket!'” she said. After dropping her mom off, she went home to scan her tickets on the OLG app.
Recalling that she found out she was now $5 million richer, she said, “I saw the ‘Big Winner’ message and put my phone down to pause for a moment. Then took another look. I managed to stay calm, thinking, ‘I did it!’ It was a great feeling.”
She said that she gathered her family to share the news.
“Everyone was speculating what I wanted to tell them,” she said with a smile. “I had the winning numbers pulled up on my laptop when my kids guessed, ‘Did you win the lottery?’ My answer was, ‘Yes, and it’s a life-changing prize — $5 million!’ We sat there in silence, and I could see the wheels turning in all their heads as I shared proof of my win.”
For Christie, winning has been a dream come true. She said she always imagined winning big when she checked her tickets.
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
“I’d think about how I could help my family and the impact it would have on all of us. It feels so validating now, especially after all the times I’d head out to get my tickets and my kids would tease me,” she said, chuckling.
“I’d always say, ‘You can’t win if you don’t play!’ Now, my heart’s full of joy, and I’m humbled by what this means for us.”
The happy winner claimed her $5 million windfall just in time. Now that she’s financially set for life, she said she’ll use her winnings to focus on her loved ones.
“I’m so grateful to share this moment with my family. I feel so thankful and fortunate for this win. I plan to retire, and I want my husband to do the same,” said Christie.
“We can now spend our time doing what we love and enjoying our time together. I’d also like to treat my husband to a scenic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.”
OLG is asking lottery players to sign their tickets after purchase and keep them in a safe and memorable location until draw time. Lottery players should also check their tickets after the draw or purchase them online.
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.