Canadian wins $46-million jackpot, plans to pay off ex-wife's mortgage
A Canadian truck driver just scored one province’s biggest-ever lottery jackpot, and he plans to share it with his children and ex-wife.
Lottery player Earl Giesbrecht is a semi-retired truck driver who lives in Whitemouth, Man. One day, while at First Stop Grocers, a local grocery store, he decided to try his luck by purchasing a Lotto 6/49 ticket.
After finding out that someone in Manitoba won the jackpot during the May 16 draw during Victoria Day weekend, he headed to the store to scan his ticket. He had won, but there was some confusion.
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
“I thought it was $46,000 at first!” he said. “When I started counting the zeroes, the cashier said, ‘It’s actually $46 million,’ and I just about fell over!”
Giesbrecht was stunned.
“I thought I was going to have a heart attack,” he shared.
He had just won Manitoba’s biggest-ever Lotto 6/49 jackpot – the second-biggest Lotto 6/49 win was almost five years ago when a Manitoban won $27.5 million on the May 12, 2021, draw.
“I had to call my brother just to come and sit with me in the store,” he said. “I didn’t think I could even drive myself home!”
News of Giesbrecht’s win spread fast.
“I think the whole town already knows I’ve won,” he said, laughing.
After speaking with his bank to plan how to manage the majority of his winnings, on Thursday, he came forward to claim his prize.
WCLC
“I don’t have many big plans because I’ve never had money like this,” he admitted. “It feels fantastic, though — it’s unbelievable! I’m giddy!”
He does, however, want to share his winnings with his loved ones.
“I want to buy a house, and then I’m going to help my children,” he said. “I’m also going to pay my ex-wife’s mortgage off. We were together many years, and we still talk.”
And his win means he can look forward to a comfortable retirement.
“I’m currently semi-retired,” he continued. “And now I’m thinking about maybe becoming fully retired… We’ll see!”
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.