Two lucky Canadians from the same province split Lotto 6/49 lottery prize

Two Canadian lottery players had a shared stroke of luck after matching the winning numbers to win the same prize.

No one won the $32-million Gold Ball jackpot during the Lotto 6/49 draw that took place on March 19. However, two people managed to match five of the six winning numbers and the bonus number to win the Classic Draw second prize. According to OLG, both of the winning tickets were sold in Ontario. After splitting the second prize, each is now $105,904.20 richer.

“[My wife] screamed in shock and amazement”

Retiree Pasquale Mazzei has been playing the lottery for decades. The Amherstburg, Ont., resident recalls going through his regular morning routine when he found out that he was a winner.

“In the morning, after finishing my coffee, I checked my tickets using the OLG app on my phone,” Mazzei recalled. “When I saw the numbers I’d matched, I was frozen with shock, but still managed to scan my ticket and confirm my win.”

He then called out for his wife upstairs, shouting, “We won the lottery!”

Mazzei said, “She screamed in shock and amazement.”

While at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim his winnings, Mazzei said he’ll share his money with his children, pay off bills, and save the rest for retirement.

“Being a winner feels amazing! I’m still trying to take it in, as it’s not something you ever expect will happen to you,” he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Shoppers Drug Mart on Sandwich Street South in Amherstburg.

“I screamed with joy and ran around my living room”

Like Mazzei, Laurie Kent has also been playing the lottery for decades, using the same set of numbers for the past 20 years. Her persistence paid off as those numbers eventually brought her luck in the form of a six-figure win.

“It was morning, and I was getting ready for work. As I put on my shoes, I thought to myself, ‘I should pick up a ticket,’ and then remembered I had yet to check the ones I already had,” Kent recalled.

She scanned her Lotto 6/49 ticket on her phone, and that’s when everything changed.

“When I saw the prize amount, I screamed with joy and ran around my living room!” she said.

Kent added that one of the best parts of her win was sharing the news with her loved ones.

“I told my family, and they said it couldn’t have happened to a better person. Everyone was thrilled for me,” said Kent.

The long-time player will now use her winnings to turn some travel dreams into reality and add to her retirement fund.

“Being a winner is the best feeling ever! I’m overwhelmed and humbled,” she said.

With files from Katy Brennan

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.