Canadian landscaper keeps huge lottery win secret at his surprise birthday party
A lottery player from Ontario experienced two amazing surprises in one day.
Toronto resident Pane Tan matched all seven Encore numbers in exact order in the April 18 Pick-4 draw to win a whopping $1 million.
The landscaper has been playing the lottery with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for 30 years. His go-to games are Pick-4, Pick-3 and Poker Lotto, with Pick-4 being part of his daily routine.
OLG
Tan chooses his numbers and adds Encore to all of his tickets. The consistency has paid off, as the father of three and grandfather of two celebrates his first big win.
“I stopped by the store on a Saturday to check my ticket,” Tan recounted, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim his windfall. “When I scanned it and saw the prize amount on the screen, I was so shocked and happy. Being a winner is a very exciting feeling.”
Little did Tan know that another surprise awaited him at home.
“I was stunned again because my family had organized a surprise birthday party for me. I had two unforgettable moments that day!” he said.
He managed to keep the lottery win under wraps until after the party, when he told his son about the winning ticket.
“He was amazed and delighted. Later on, I shared the news with some other family members as well. Everyone was just thrilled for me!” said Tan.
The landscaper plans to share his winnings with his children and treat himself to a vacation.
He bought the winning lottery ticket at Min-A-Mart on Wilson Avenue in Toronto.
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.