Canadian mom’s lucky number lands her son his first big lottery win
An Ontario lottery player is grateful after winning a huge second prize.
Owen Sound resident Ross Barkwell won the Lotto 6/49 second prize worth $260,636.80 in the April 9, 2025, draw.
The father of four and grandfather of three has been playing the lottery with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for two years.
He enjoys playing Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, and occasionally buys Instant tickets. He typically plays the lottery twice a week, using OLG’s Quick Pick feature for jackpot games. This is his first major win.
“I wasn’t planning on buying any tickets that day, but my mom mentioned the LOTTO 6/49 jackpot was at $44 million,” Barkwell recalled while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect his winnings. “Her lucky number is 44, so I decided to purchase two tickets — one for me and one for her.”
LG
The Ontarian said he had initially planned to pick up the lottery tickets at his go-to store, but something told him to go somewhere else.
“I listened to that little voice in my head — and now here I am, claiming $260,000!” he exclaimed.
The following evening, Barkwell was relaxing in his living room when he remembered to check his ticket using the OLG app.
“When I scanned it and saw the words ‘Bi’ Winner,’ I thought I’d won $26,” he recounted. “I handed my phone to my wife and told her to take a look at my $26 win. She was stunned and said, ‘Honey…that’s 260,000!’ Then she double-checked to make sure we were looking at it correctly. We were both so shocked and excited!”
He signed the lottery ticket and stored it in a secure place. Barkwell and his wife had trouble sleeping that night due to the excitement.
“It was a lot for us to take in!” he said with a smile.
He, of course, took his mother with him when he went to validate the ticket.
“She was so thrilled for me,” said Barkwell.
He plans to hit the road in an RV and invest for his retirement with the lottery windfall.
“Winning has been such a joyful experience — one that’s brought happiness and a sense of comfort,” concluded Barkwell. “I look forward to enjoying more time with family, with a little relief from life’s financial pressures.”
He bought the winning lottery ticket at Balmy Beach Convenience on Grey Road in Owen Sound.
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.