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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.