Latest news with #OntarioLotteryandGamingCorp
Hamilton Spectator
28-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘My hands and feet went numb': Toronto man, 26, wins $60-million Lotto 6-49 Gold Ball jackpot
A 26-year-old Toronto man may never have work again after winning a $60-million lottery jackpot. Bocheng Mei won the Lotto 6-49 Gold Ball jackpot from the May 7 draw. Now, he plans to buy a new home in Toronto and to take care of his parents. 'I can now change their lives along with my own. I can provide for them now and make so many things happen for all of us that were never possible before,' he said in a news release from Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. While he may never need to work again, Mei plans to continue learning. 'I love to learn, so I want to take advantage of various educational opportunities. I also want to explore different cultures, so that means plenty of travel. I really want to experience the Aurora Borealis as well, which may involve trips to Finland and Iceland.' The new multimillionaire buys his lottery tickets online and uses the OLG's 'Never Miss a Draw' subscription service. He discovered his lottery win from a telephone call from an unknown number, which turned out to be from an OLG representative. The reason he received the call is because he had missed an earlier email from the OLG informing him of his win. At first, he worried the call was a scam. 'I answered the call, and the person said they were from OLG,' he said. 'I started googling them to see if they were legit, as I've had enough experience detecting scam calls. I knew they were really OLG representatives because they didn't ask for any banking information. They just asked me to check my account. That's when I discovered I had a winning ticket, and it said I'd won $60 million! My hands and feet went numb.' The OLG rep walked him through the next steps, but everything felt like a dream, Mei said. After his phone call with the OLG, Mei, who works in the software industry, had to join a work meeting online, which he did right after and tried to keep it cool. Once the meeting was over, he logged off from his computer and took the time to think about his windfall. He then called his parents to share the news. 'I tried to be very calm when I told them I'd won a big prize,' he said. 'They wanted to make sure I wasn't being tricked, but they know I'm always very cautious. When I told them the prize was $60 million, I reassured them they would never need to worry about money again. I told them they could retire and enjoy life. They were so shocked to hear the news.' He kept the news quiet for a while but eventually told a small group of friends. 'They were so excited for me and started jumping for joy. I'm not a super expressive person, but they were acting exactly how I was feeling inside. I'm very lucky to have them by my side,' he said. He may also have inspired his friends. 'Most of my friends don't buy lottery tickets — I think I'm the only one. But now that this news is out, I think they'll change their minds,' he said. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
21-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
OLG winners map: Etobicoke's $65-million lottery winner not June's only new millionaire in Ontario
Mohit Sharma, a lover of luxury trains, no longer has to worry about costs when he's booking his world travels. That's because the Etobicoke man won a massive lottery prize, which he said will allow him to go on a global adventure. He won a Lotto Max lottery prize of $65 million from the Oct. 15 draw. He picked up his winnings from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. in May, which the OLG announced publicly in June. While he was by far Ontario's biggest lottery winner last month, he was not the only person to become a millionaire through the OLG in June, not to mention the many other winners of five- and six-figure prizes. Using OLG data, we've mapped where in the province June's big prize winners (minimum of $50,000) on games such as Lotto Max, Lotto 6-49 and others are from, and in which cities tickets were purchased. This map shows lottery prizes claimed or announced in June, not when the draws took place. Players have up to a year on many OLG games to claim their prize. To make it easier to use the map, it helps to zoom in on the location of interest. More information on Ontario's lottery games is available on the OLG's website . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘My jaw dropped': Unexpected message leads to big lottery prize for Oakville woman
An unexpected message on an in-store lottery terminal led to a big win for an Oakville resident earlier this year. Janice MacDonald grabbed a jaw-dropping $75,000 prize thanks to a new experiential lottery game from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG). MacDonald didn't know what to expect when her Instant Money Machine ticket revealed the words, 'Money Machine Live Event' on a store lottery terminal. MacDonald, who normally plays Bingo and Instant Crossword lottery games from the OLG, was eager to try something new, according to a media release. Thanks to the experiential cash-grabbing game, she's celebrating her first big win. MacDonald was at the store when she played her ticket. When the message appeared on the lottery terminal, MacDonald had no idea what it meant. 'In the moment, I felt a little nervous and uncertain,' she recalled. When an OLG representative called the store and told MacDonald the minimum prize at a Money Machine Instant Live Event is $25,000, she was stunned. 'I was so shocked that my jaw dropped,' MacDonald said. When the big day arrived, MacDonald was buzzing with adrenalin, ready to see just how many bills she could grab. Janice MacDonald of Oakville grabbed a $75,000 prize playing Instant Money Machine. 'It's unreal seeing the money machine in person,' she recalled. 'I'm feeling pumped, hyped, and ready to go.' When the clock started ticking, MacDonald moved swiftly, collecting as many bills as she could in the swirling storm. 'I heard the countdown and thought, 'Here we go — This is really happening,' MacDonald recounted. 'When the bills started flying around me, I kept thinking, 'OMG'. I could feel my excitement building and was trying to keep myself calm and grab the bills as fast as I could. They kept flying all over my face.' she laughed. The final tally revealed a $75,000 prize. 'I was thrilled when they announced the prize amount,' MacDonald said. 'This is so amazing — what a feeling.' MacDonald plans to invest her winnings and treat herself to a new car. 'I can't wait to hit the open road with the windows down, listening to my favourite songs,' she added. The winning ticket was purchased at Joe's Market on Kerr Street in Oakville. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
12-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘That person I heard about on the news was me': Ontario man claims $65-million Lotto Max prize
An Etobicoke man is planning a global adventure on some of the most luxurious trains after winning a massive $65-million lottery jackpot. Mohit Sharma has long been enamoured with the world's most famous and luxurious trains. Now, as Ontario's newest multimillionaire, his dreams of riding the rails will soon come true after claiming a Lotto Max jackpot of $65 million from the Oct. 15, 2024 draw. During a winner's celebration hosted by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) in Toronto, Sharma noted he started buying lottery tickets in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving himself a weekly routine to look forward to during the lockdowns. Setting a budget, he purchased Lotto Max and Lotto 6-49 tickets with Encore each week, using the OLG's quick pick feature. 'I don't pick the numbers, so, knowing that a random number that the lottery computer picked for me the winner — and my name was on that ticket — is just unbelievable,' Sharma said in a news release. Sharma, who works as a consultant, likes to check his lottery tickets soon after the draw. When he heard on the news that the winning Lotto Max ticket was sold in Etobicoke, he rushed to check the tickets he had stored in a drawer. 'The first ticket I scanned was the winner,' Sharma said. '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.'' Sharma was in the middle of cooking when he discovered he'd won the jackpot. In the intensity of the moment, he doesn't know how he had the clarity to turn off the stove before a fire started in his kitchen. Sharma went on a walk to clear his head. When he returned home, he scanned the ticket again, just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He then began researching how to claim his prize and read about other big lottery winners. Not wanting to cause any anxiety for his family, Sharma decided to wait and tell them about his win in person. When the time finally came, Sharma gathered his family members together for the big reveal. '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.' Sharma wanted to share the news over a round of champagne, but the family didn't have proper champagne glasses. The only store still open was Walmart. 'So, we ran over to buy champagne glasses, and raised a glass to my good fortune. We finished the bottle together that night,' Sharma added. With the help of a financial team to manage his new-found wealth, Sharma is now planning to travel and take it easy. He's also exploring ways to give back to his community and support causes close to his heart. Sharma loves to read and learn, and is considering going back to school for another degree or diploma. As for rest and relaxation, he intends to tour the globe as a passenger on some of the world's most iconic 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 added. '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.' Sharma also plans to see more of Canada aboard The Canadian, from Toronto to Vancouver. In addition, he plans to to ride The Caledonia Sleeper, which criss-crosses the United Kingdom. 'This is what will excite me the most,' he said. Sharma's winning Lotto Max ticket at Lakeshore Mini Mart on Lakeshore Boulevard West in Etobicoke. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
03-06-2025
- Business
- Global News
‘I'm overjoyed': 20 unchecked Lotto Max tickets leads to $5M win for Ontario man
An Ontario lottery winner says he worked hard to keep his huge win under wraps while planning a big reveal at a recent family gathering. Paul Cousineau, 51, of Orillia, found out he won the $5 million Lotto 6/49 jackpot nearly a month after the March 19 draw. Cousineau explained that he didn't check his tickets immediately after the draw. 'I waited about four weeks. By then, I had over 20 tickets to check,' he said while picking up his winnings at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLG) in Toronto. When he finally went to the store to validate his ticket, he says the lottery terminal froze. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I remained calm and carried on with my day, only telling my cousin about my win. I even made them take an oath of silence!' Paul said with a laugh. Story continues below advertisement Cousineau, an administrative professional in the hospitality industry, has been playing the lottery with OLG for decades. The father of two and grandfather of one is thrilled to be celebrating his first big win but said he wanted to keep his win a secret until he had the cheque in hand so he could do a big reveal at a family barbecue. The new millionaire says he deliberately downplayed his win when his grandson questioned him. 'Unexpectedly, my grandson checked my ticket and asked, 'Did you win the jackpot?' I told him, 'No, but I won $5,000!'' He says the win feels 'surreal' and that he is 'overjoyed' with what feels like a 'dream come true.' The win comes after a tough time for Cousineau, revealing he recently lost his wife. 'Her dream was to take an Alaskan cruise, and I want to honour that by going on one for my 52nd birthday this fall. I'll have her urn with me, so in a way, she'll be with me on this trip,' he says.
