Connie, who works in logistics, has been a regular lottery player with OLG for the past seven years, though she has occasionally bought tickets for decades. She enjoys playing LOTTO 6/49, LOTTO MAX, and ONTARIO 49, always saying “yes” to ENCORE. Connie is now celebrating her first big win and the thrill of becoming a multi-millionaire!
On April 17th, 2025, OLG issued an Unclaimed Prize News Release asking Ontario lottery players to check their tickets, as a $5 million LOTTO 6/49 jackpot prize was nearing expiration. Connie typically checks her tickets monthly to see if she’s won anything, but sometimes forgets. Recently, she found a small stack of tickets she hadn’t checked yet. While running errands, Connie heard the news about the unclaimed ticket on the radio. “When I heard the details, I turned to my mom and said, ‘I have a feeling that’s my ticket!’
After dropping my mom off, I went home and checked my tickets using the OLG app,” Connie recounted, while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her windfall. “I saw the ‘Big Winner’ message and put my phone down to pause for moment. Then took another look. I managed to stay calm, thinking, ‘I did it!’ It was a great feeling.”
“The next morning, I gathered my family to share the incredible news. Everyone was speculating about what I wanted to tell them,” Connie smiled, remembering the moment fondly. “I had the winning numbers pulled up on my laptop when my kids guessed, “Did you win the lottery?’ My answer was, ‘Yes, and it’s a life-changing changing prize — $5 million!’ We sat there in silence, and I could see the wheels turning in all their heads as I shared proof of my win.”
“I would dream of winning big every time I’d check my tickets,” Connie said, her face lighting up with a bright smile. “I’d think about how I could help my family and the impact it would have on all of us. It feels so validating now, especially after all the times I’d head out to get my tickets and my kids would tease me,” she chuckled. “I’d always say, ‘You can’t win if you don’t play!’ Now, my heart’s full of joy and I’m humbled by what this means for us.”
Connie’s plans for her windfall focus on her loved ones. “I’m so grateful to share this moment with my family. I feel so thankful and fortunate for this win. I plan to retire, and I want my husband to do the same. We can now spend our time doing what we love and enjoying our time together,” Connie beamed. “I’d also like to treat my husband to a scenic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Petro-Canada on Norwich Avenue in Woodstock.
OLG supports safe play and wants to keep the fun in the game. That’s why OLG is proud to be a leader in promoting responsible gambling with our globally recognized PlaySmart program.