Canadian retiree filling out bucket list with loved ones after big lottery win
A retiree from Ontario is ready to check things off her bucket list after winning a big lottery prize.
Wasaga Beach resident Wendy Pritchard is celebrating after winning a $250,000 top prize with Instant Crossword Deluxe.
The retiree has been a loyal player with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) since the days of Wintario. Her go-to games are draw-based, like Lottario, along with a variety of Instant tickets.
She has fond memories of playing instant lottery games with her mother-in-law.
“Instant games were a shared joy between me and my mother-in-law,â explained Pritchard. âCrosswords were always her favourite. She would take her time and scratch them very carefully â with chopsticks!â
OLG
Her affinity for instant games has paid off, blessing her with her first major win.
âI was buying tickets to put away as gifts and spotted two that I felt like playing, so I picked them up for myself,â she recounted, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect her windfall.
Pritchard told OLG that she spent the weekend with family, and one morning while they were relaxing, she decided to check her lottery ticket.
“When I discovered it was a big winner, I was in disbelief and thought there had been a mistake,â she recalled. âI double-checked the words many times. At first, I thought Iâd won $250. Then my husband said, âItâs $25,000!â We checked it again and were astonished to realize it was really $250,000!â
Pritchard immediately shared the joyful news with her family.
âThey were incredibly grateful,â she reflected with a smile.
The retiree plans to support her family and enjoy a comfortable retirement with her lottery windfall.
âThe little everyday things are going to be much nicer,” she said.
But first, she’ll celebrate the win and enjoy a nice dinner with her loved ones.
âWe want to fill out our bucket list! This win will definitely add some excitement to our lives,â Pritchard concluded.
She bought the winning lottery ticket at Playtime Casino in Wasaga Beach, located on Joseph Drive.
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.