Canadian couple using hefty lottery win to build dream home for retirement
A Canadian couple is prepping for retirement after winning a huge lottery prize.
Scarborough residents Khemraj and Loretta Persaud’s Daily Keno 9 Pick resulted in a $50,000 win in the June 23 evening draw.
They have known each other for 38 years and have been happily married for 28. They have shared a decade-long ritual: playing the lottery together.
āWe buy a ticket every time we go to the gas station,ā Loretta explained with a smile.
The couple’s go-to games are Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, but they occasionally like to switch it up. A recent change led to their unforgettable lottery win.
OLG
āOne day, I randomly said to myself, āLet me buy a Daily Keno ticket,āā Khemraj recalled. āIt was simply a gut feeling. This was the very first Daily Keno ticket Iād ever purchased, and it turned out to be a big winner!ā
Loretta recalled it being a mundane moment ā a simple errand that would lead to a huge surprise.
āI asked my husband to take a trip to the store, and when he came back, he showed me the Daily Keno ticket heād bought us,” she said. “I didnāt think anything of it and told him to put it in my purse. I said Iād check it later when I had the chance.ā
She was reminded to check the lottery ticket a few days later when she saw it in her purse.
“After work, I went to the store to check it, again not expecting anything,ā she recounted with a smile.
āWhen I scanned it, I froze with shock. So many questions ran through my mind: āWhat am I looking at? Am I seeing things? How can this be real?ā I rubbed my eyes and checked the ticket again. Then, my eyes grew wide, my heart started racing, and my hands began to shake,” she described.
Loretta rushed home, and the first person she called about the lottery win was her daughter.
āI asked, āCan you check my ticket for me?ā When she scanned the ticket using the OLG app, I watched her jaw nearly drop to the floor,ā Loretta laughed. āMy daughter shouted, āMom, this is crazy!āā
She then shared the amazing news with her husband, who she said was confused at first.
āI couldnāt believe it,ā Khemraj admitted. āI could see it was a big winner, but something in me just couldnāt process it. I was totally stunned!ā
Loretta then phoned her two sons to let them know about the lottery win. āBoth of them said, āNah, mom. This canāt be real. Are you pranking us?āā
With their windfall, Khemraj and Loretta plan to build their dream home for their retirement.
Loretta describes winning the lottery as a shocking experience.
āIt feels really good. So much excitement is rushing through my body. I think Iām still in shock and havenāt quite processed the reality of it all!ā she said.
Lastly, the couple shared an encouraging message for other lottery players.
“If it can happen to us, it can happen to anyone,ā said Loretta.
āThereās always hope,ā added Khemraj. āIt only takes one ticket.ā
The winning ticket was purchased at Convenience Plus on Lawrence Avenue East in Scarborough.
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,Ā check out these resources.