Canadian almost missed email notifying him of huge lottery win
If you buy your tickets directly on lottery websites, this is a sign for you to check your email for any big wins.
Markham resident Peter Hedgecock is celebrating after winning a Lotto 6/49 prize worth $1 million in the Gold Ball Draw on March 29.
The father of three has been playing the lottery with the Ontario Lottery Gaming Corporation (OLG) for nearly 20 years. He regularly plays Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, always choosing his own numbers and adding Encore to his tickets.
OLG
Hedgecock bought the lucky lottery ticket on OLG.ca. This is his first major win, and he almost missed it because he didn’t check his email.
“I hadn’t seen the original email OLG sent about my win,” Hedgecock explained while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim his windfall.
“I only realized I’d won big when I received a second reminder email. When I read it, I was in a state of shock — half of me didn’t believe it. Thank goodness they send those reminders!”
Hedgecock quietly shared the exciting news with his wife.
“I went to bed and whispered to her, ‘Honey, we won $1 million.’ She was half asleep and told me to go away!” he recalled.
He hasn’t made any firm plans for his lottery prize yet, but he does want to put it towards his retirement.
“Winning is a humbling feeling,” he concluded with a smile.
Another lucky Canadian lottery player woke up a brand-new millionaire on Thursday after a successful Lotto 6/49 draw.
The draw took place on Wednesday, May 28, and the Gold Ball prize was worth $20 million. Although no one will be taking home the top prize, someone in B.C. did match the White Ball prize-winning number. Check the winning number to see if you beat the odds.
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.