Aunt, nephew win big after impromptu decision to buy lottery ticket at family Christmas party
An aunt and nephew from Ontario who made an impromptu decision to buy a lottery ticket after discussing the "odds of winning" at a family Christmas party are now $1 million richer.
The OLG announced on Thursday that Newmarket resident Christine Dee and Etobicoke resident Matthew Hug are the top prize winners from an Instant Ultimate draw on held on Dec. 31.
“The aunt and nephew duo were with family during the Christmas holidays when they decided to buy this ticket together,” the OLG said in a news release.
According to the OLG, the decision to purchase the ticket was sparked by a discussion about the odds of winning the lottery.
Dee told the OLG she went to St. Charles Food Market in St. Charles, located about 45 minutes east of Sudbury, with Hug to purchase the ticket.
The result of that ticket was a massive New Year’s Day surprise.
"I scanned our ticket on New Year’s Day at 7:32 a.m.," Dee said. “I was so shocked I thought I was dreaming. I called Matthew and told him to call me back ASAP."
Hug said he first thought something was wrong. Then he called Dee back.
"When she told me we won, I didn’t believe it. It was surreal and completely unexpected," he said. "It's insane. This win is even more special and meaningful because we won it together."
Both Dee and Hug said their dream is to own a home and will use their money for a down payment.
Hug said he also plans to pay off his mother's mortgage, while Dee will share the remainder with her children.
This comes just one day after the OLG announced the $60-million Lotto Max jackpot winning ticket was sold in Richmond Hill. It is the second time in two months a multi-million jackpot has been won in that city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.
Cherry blossoms blooming in Canada: Here's what to know
There is a swaying sea of colour in some cities across Canada, and it's a sure sign of spring: cherry blossoms are in bloom.