Lotto Max winner waits months, hires experts before claiming $65 million
Before claiming a massive Lotto Max jackpot, one prudent Canadian winner made sure that every detail was covered before coming forward to claim his win.
Mohit Sharma is a consultant from Etobicoke, Ont., who has been playing the lottery since 2020. After setting a budget for himself, he began buying lottery tickets during the COVID-19 pandemic, something that became a weekly routine. He always opted for the Quick Pick numbers rather than choosing his own.
One day in October 2024, Sharma was in the middle of cooking when he decided to check his Lotto Max ticket.
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“I heard on the news that the winning ticket was sold in Etobicoke,” he recalled. “I had a couple of tickets in a drawer, so I set up the tickets on the table and started scanning them using the OLG app. The first ticket I scanned was the winner! I couldn’t believe it, and my heart started pounding. My phone screen lit up as the words ‘Big Winner’ flashed across the screen. I thought to myself, ‘I guess that person I heard about on the news was me!'”
In shock, Sharma said he couldn’t believe he had the presence of mind to remember to turn off the stove before starting a fire in his kitchen. He decided to go for a walk to clear his head, and when he returned, he scanned the ticket again to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
Once reality set in that he was $65 million richer, he began doing his “homework” by reading up on other lottery players and how to claim his prize. Sharma chose to keep the news to himself until his family had returned from their trip.
When he finally told them about his win, they were equally stunned.
“To say they were shocked is an understatement,” he said. “I had to pinch a couple of them to prove it was real. It was an emotional moment with lots of trembling hands and elevated heart rates all around.”
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The family wanted to celebrate with champagne and proper glasses, but all they had was a mismatched collection of glasses. So they made a late-night trip to Walmart so they could toast the new winner.
“We finished the bottle together that night,” he said with a laugh.
After conducting his research, Sharma said he’s confident he has assembled a strong team of professionals to guide him and help him manage his newfound wealth wisely. He said he’s grateful that he can take care of his immediate family.
“The best part of winning the lottery is that me and my family are financially free,” he said. “We don’t have to plan or save for holidays or vacations. If I want to travel now, I can. If I want to buy something, I can.”
He’s also looking for ways to give back to his community and support causes close to his heart. He’s also considering returning to school to pursue another degree or diploma.
Finally, the win will let him cross off another thing on his bucket list: to ride the world’s most iconic trains. And Sharma certainly knows his trains.
“I have dreamt of travelling on these luxurious and exotic trains. I want to go to Japan to experience one of the world’s fastest trains, the Shinkansen,” he said. “I also want to travel on the Indian Pacific that goes from Sydney to Perth, Australia. The famous Orient Express is another on the top of my list, too. I’m excited to see more of Canada when I hop on The Canadian, from Toronto to Vancouver. In addition, I want to ride the Caledonian Sleeper, which crisscrosses the United Kingdom. This is what will excite me the most!”
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Sharma said the best part of being a Lotto Max winner has been sharing the experience with his loved ones.
“The happiness I’m sharing with my family is the best part of this win,” he said.
The winning ticket was sold at Lakeshore Mini Mart on Lakeshore Boulevard West in Etobicoke.
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.