Canadians describe shock after splitting a massive lottery prize
Lucky finally turned for three long-time lottery players across Canada who ended up splitting a multimillion-dollar prize.
Oct. 8 was a life-changing day for the three lottery players — two from Ontario and one from New Brunswick — who each matched the six winning numbers 17, 22, 24, 40, 42, and 46, in the Lotto 6/49 Classic Draw. The trio split the $5 million top prize and took home their share worth $1,666,666.70.
The winners share their plans and how they reacted after discovering their big wins.
“It was a crazy day”
OLG
When Vincent Dimartile, 74, plays the lottery, he enjoys choosing his own numbers, a combination of significant birthdays and ages. The Kitchener, Ont., resident said he has been playing the lottery for a long time and was shocked when he realized his picks matched the Lotto 6/49 Classic prize-winning numbers.
“I got an email notifying me about the win. It was a crazy day,” recalled.
In addition to his $1,666,666.70 win, he also won $4,452.60 on his Lotto 6/49 play, bringing his total winnings to $1,671,119.30.
While at the OLG Prize Centre to pick up his winnings, he said, “It’s hard to explain how this feels. It’s just great!”
Dimartile will put his share toward investments, travel, and enjoying his retirement. The winning ticket was purchased on OLG.ca.
“It was the middle of the night, so I didn’t jump up”
Atlantic Lottery
Unable to sleep one night, Tilly van den Bosch decided to check her weekly lottery tickets. To her surprise, she realized she was one of the winners of the $5 million Lotto 6/49 Classic jackpot — she was now $1,666,666 richer.
“It was the middle of the night, so I didn’t jump up, but it started to slowly sink in,” said the Fredericton, N.B., resident. “I woke up my husband, and then neither of us could sleep for the next two nights.”
For Van den Bosch, the win means greater financial security for herself and her family. She also plans to pay off debt, buy a new car, and travel with her husband.
“It’s a new adventure,” she shared. “I don’t think it’s going to change my life dramatically, but we can go on vacation now, and that hasn’t happened for 10 years.”
Van den Bosch purchased her winning ticket on alc.ca.
“My wife is the only other person who knows”
OLG
Maple, Ont., resident Shizhang Zeng has been playing the lottery for 10 years, buying Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max tickets. On Oct. 8, he finally scored his first big win worth $1,666,666.70.
“I found out I won while I was at home. I was excited and very, very happy,” he said, while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
Before coming forward to claim his prize, Zeng managed to keep his win a secret.
“My wife is the only other person who knows, and she’s also very happy!” he shared.
He purchased his lucky ticket at FreshWay Foodmart on Highway 7 in Markham. When asked what he plans to do with his share, he said, “I will put this win toward our mortgage.”