Canadian car dealership co-workers win $20-million Lotto Max jackpot
The atmosphere at work was undoubtedly electric after a group of Canadian co-workers scored a massive Lotto Max jackpot win.
A group of 15 employees from a car dealership in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, had a tradition: co-worker Christian Dessureault would buy 15 shares of a Lotto Max ticket and distribute them, saying, “Here’s your pension fund.”
Little did he know that his comment would come true.
Dessureault had purchased the group’s ticket for the Tuesday, June 3 Lotto Max draw. At 6 a.m. the next day, he pulled up his phone to check the results. The winning numbers were 06, 29, 39, 40, 42, 44, 48, and bonus 22; they had matched all seven winning numbers to win the life-changing $20-million Lotto Max jackpot.
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
When he saw how much they won, he called out to his spouse and said, “Come sit down, my love, it’s worth it!”
Dessureault shared the news with his wife and said that he shed a few tears of joy. Next, he contacted his colleagues to share the news.
Isabelle Rochon found out after receiving a message from Dessureault stating, “Have your tickets validated, you’ll be happy… We’re millionaires!”
Jessie Lacombe-Charette had been getting ready for the day when she received Dessureault’s text. She said she started screaming for joy.
When Eric Elliott found out that they had won, he recalled wondering to himself, “Do I turn the music up all the way in the house? And do I wake up my wife?” Elliott decided to wake up his wife to share the exciting news.
Group member and dealership manager Mathieu Ouellet said he was very proud that his whole team showed up on time, given the circumstances.
Veronique Leclerc recalled, “You could feel the excitement at work.”
Loto-Québec
The co-workers smiled from ear to ear as they gathered in front of the dealership to hug each other.
“Everyone was jumping into each other’s arms,” said Lacombe-Charette.
The excitement was even more palpable after they called Loto-Québec to confirm their win. Split among the 15 co-workers, each received a cheque worth $1,333,333.
They all shared different plans for their winnings.
Dessureault is retiring early and plans to hit the open road in his RV, while Rochon said she’s house hunting. Before her win, Lacombe-Charette revealed that she was looking to buy a used fridge — now she’s looking to buy a cottage in the region. The other winners said they’ll invest their windfall, use it for investments, and see the world.
Nicolas Déziel, who’s in his twenties, is the youngest member of the group. He said he plans to use his money to replace his 30-year-old van. When asked what it feels like to become a millionaire at his age, he said, “It’s a feeling I didn’t think I’d experience anytime soon.”
The ticket was sold in Marché Express on Rue de la Diversité in Les Chenaux. The store will receive a one per cent commission of $200,000.
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.