Canadian's joke about not returning to work if he wins the lottery comes true
An Ontario lottery player is ready to coast into retirement after a massive lottery win.
St. George resident Raymond Gubbins was shocked to discover he had won the $15-million Lotto Max jackpot in the Jan. 20, 2026, draw.
The 62-year-old is a longtime player with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
“I’ve been playing Lotto Max for as long as I can remember,” he shared while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings. “I like to pick up my tickets on Tuesdays and Fridays, using Quick Pick for my numbers.”
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
The morning after the draw, Gubbins stuck to his usual routine. Little did he know that he was about to win a life-changing lottery prize.
“I like to wake up early and have a coffee while checking my tickets,” he said, smiling.
When Gubbins realized all of his numbers matched the winning numbers, he was in disbelief.
“I thought I was dreaming. I didn’t want to wake up my wife, so I went to the supermarket to double-check my ticket,” he recalled. “Someone in line told me someone local won big and jokingly asked if it was me. It didn’t even feel real yet!”
After validating his winning lottery ticket, Gubbins sent a photo of the screen to his wife.
“This win feels surreal. It’s probably going to be another couple of months before it really sinks in,” he said with a chuckle.
Gubbins, who works in the grocery industry, laughed as he remembered an old running joke. His coworkers would say, “See you tomorrow,” and he’d often reply, “Not if I win the lottery!”
It turns out the 62-year-old was manifesting a major lottery win with that joke. He looks forward to enjoying a relaxing retirement.
The winning lottery ticket was purchased at Esso on Beverly Street West in St. George.
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.