Canadian says massive snowstorm led to life-changing lottery win
Being forced to cancel your travel plans due to bad weather can be frustrating, but one Canadian says it’s what led to his surprise lottery win.
February was a difficult time for Randy Kuzek, a lottery player from Lloydminster, Alta., who just lost his mother.
“My mom passed away, and then we had a terrible snowstorm, which prevented me from travelling,” he explained.
Due to bad weather, Kuzek was stuck in Saskatoon. Unable to travel, he stopped at a Shell gas station, where he purchased a Daily Grand ticket, which costs $3 per play.
The draw came and went, and one day, while at a 7-Eleven, he decided to check his tickets.
“I had a stack of tickets to check for the past month,” he explained. “When I came across the winner, I thought it actually said $5,000!”
Erman Gunes/Shutterstock
To his surprise, it turned out there were actually a few more zeroes — Kuzek won a $500,000 Daily Grand prize during the Feb. 23 draw.
“I scanned it a second and third time and realized it was half a million!” he continued. “I was all smiles!”
He said that the win reminds him of his mom.
“My mom used to travel with me when she was feeling good,” he recalled. “We would always stop at the gas station and buy chocolate bars and lottery tickets.”
He said that he and his mom also talked about possibly winning the lottery someday.
“When I would buy tickets, she would always say to me, ‘Do you ever think you’re going to win one day?'” he shared with a smile.
Now half a million dollars richer, Kuzek said he’s putting his money towards savings for his retirement. He also wants to use the money to help his children.
“It’s hard to believe… I am grateful!” said the winner.
Kuzek purchased his winning Daily Grand ticket from Shell at 1740 Idylwyld Dr. in Saskatoon.
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.