Retired Canadian taxi driver celebrates third lottery win
Most lottery players would consider themselves extremely lucky to win the lottery once, but one Canadian has now done it three times.
In 2017, Marcel Leclaire of Sudbury, Ont., won his first lottery prize when he scored a $1-million Encore prize in a Lotto 6/49 draw.
At first, the retired taxi driver who has been playing the lottery for decades said he thought he had won $1,000 until he noticed all the extra zeros.
Marcel Leclaire with his first lottery win in 2017 (OLG)
“My dream is to travel west to visit family, taking time to see the country and reconnect with the people I love,” he said.
He found himself back at the OLG Prize Centre in 2025 to claim his biggest prize yet: a $3-million top prize after splurging on a $30 Instant Platinum ticket. He said he bought the ticket because it caught his eye as it “was nice and shiny.”
“This is just amazing,” he said. “It’s an incredible feeling.”
He said he planned to use his windfall to buy a house and share it with his loved ones.
Marcel Leclaire, with his second lottery win in 2025 (OLG)
But less than a year later, Leclaire was back at the OLG Prize Centre to claim his third win. The 73-year-old hockey fan said he won after another lottery ticket caught his eye — the Instant Lunar 8s, which costs $5 per play.
“I’m a fan of David Pastrňák, and his jersey number is 88. I saw the number 88 on this ticket, so I decided to pick one up,” he explained.
He checked his ticket while at the store and realized that he had won the top prize worth $88,888.
“I stood there in complete shock,” recalled Leclaire. “Even though it was my third big win, the feeling was just as intense as the first. I shared the news with my brother, and he was so happy for me.”
Leclaire said he’s excited to buy a new home and fill it with new furniture. He also plans to put a portion of his winnings into savings.
So what’s it like to be a three-time lottery winner?
“It’s great, and I feel really fortunate,” he said.
Marcel Leclaire, with his third and most recent lottery win (OLG)
The winning ticket was purchased at Donovan Variety on Kathleen Street in Sudbury.
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.