Toronto man wins $20M with lottery numbers used for 36 years
A Toronto man has won $20 million in the Lotto 649 jackpot using the same numbers he played for more than three decades.
Scarborough resident Stephen Dixon said he's been playing the same set of lottery numbers for 36 years.
"I started playing these numbers with Wintario and migrated them over to Lotto 6/49. The numbers I play are significant family dates," he said in an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) release issued Thursday.
When Dixon told his wife he’d won the top prize, she originally thought it was worth $20,000. When he informed her it was for $20-million, he said she didn’t believe him.
“She was convinced I was playing a prank on her,” he said.
Dixon says he found out he'd won after his son reminding him to check his ticket, which was purchased at Sunstar Convenience on Ellesmere Road in Scarborough.
"I was at the store running errands, when I stopped to check my ticket,” he said.
“When I saw the ‘Big Winner’ screen, I assumed the $20 million that appeared was an advertisement for the next draw. Then the store clerk checked the ticket for me and said, 'Oh my God, you’ve won the big one!' and she started dancing and cheering!"
Dixon said customers of the store soon came to congratulate him.
“It was nerve-wracking – I was in a daze. I got into my car and realized how shocked I was. Too shocked to celebrate like they do in commercials.”
According to the OLG, Lotto 6/49 players in Ontario have won over $13.7 billion in prizes since 1982.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
A powerful solar storm put on an amazing skyward light show across the globe overnight but has caused what appeared to be only minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications and satellite positioning systems.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Suspect sought after fatal slashing in downtown Toronto
Police are searching for a suspect in a homicide investigation after a man was slashed in downtown Toronto on Sunday.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'Increased fire activity' expected for Fort Nelson, B.C., blaze
A wildfire near Fort Nelson, B.C., that forced thousands to flee their homes grew almost 800 hectares overnight Saturday, according to officials.
Blinken delivers some of the strongest U.S. public criticism of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza
Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration's strongest public criticism yet of Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant "a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians" but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency.