26-03-2025
$500K Daily Grand lottery winner from Alberta celebrates with a new vacuum
Janice Adams of Medicine Hat, Alta., is $500,000 richer after winning with Daily Grand in the Nov. 14, 2024 draw. Instead of splurging on a car or luxury vacation, Adams' first purchase was surprisingly practical.
'I bought a vacuum already,' said Adams, while claiming her windfall. 'The first thing I thought was, 'What do I need? A good vacuum!''
The humble winner said her main feeling now is excitement about the possibilities of how to spend the rest of her prize money.
Adams isn't the first big winner to spend her prize on something modest. Just a few months ago, an Ontario mom of seven who won $5 million with an Instant Mega lottery game famously treated herself to a Reuben sandwich on the day she discovered her life-changing win.
It seems whether it's $500,000 or $5 million, Canadian lottery winners often choose to start spending on life's simple comforts.
Daily Grand is a $3 per play lottery game with draws every Monday and Thursday. Each play includes a selection of five main numbers and one grand number.
Players who match all five numbers plus the Grand number win $1,000 a day for life or have the option of a $7 million lump sum. If they match just the five numbers, they receive $25,000 a year for life — or can choose a $500,000 lump sum. After matching all five numbers, Adams ultimately chose the $500,000 lump sum payment.
To secure $500,000 through the annuity route in Adams' case, it would take 20 years, which is why most winners in this category opt for the lump sum payout, giving them immediate freedom to spend, save or invest.
Adams purchased her winning Daily Grand ticket from RUYI Lottery at 100-4700 130 Avenue SE in Calgary. She won her prize by correctly matching all five numbers selected in the Nov. 14 draw: 1, 17, 27, 43 and 46.
Even after seeing the numbers, Adams admits the win didn't sink in right away.
'I checked [the ticket] on the app a couple of times, then I checked it manually on the WCLC website,' she said.
'I thought it was wrong! I just didn't believe it. I thought it was a glitch and there was just no way.'
If you're looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada.
