Lunar New Year celebrations will be extra special for one lucky lottery player who won a Maxmillions prize.
Hao Huang, a business owner in Toronto, said he only occasionally plays the lottery. On one of those rare occasions, he purchased a Lotto Max ticket in November when the jackpot was worth $50 million. After the draw, he decided to check the results.
“I used the OLG app on my phone to check my ticket,” recalled Huang. “I was surprised when I saw the ‘Big Winner’ message on the screen, but I believed it right away!”
Huang matched the winning numbers 2, 4, 9, 10, 19, 21, and 49 and won a Maxmillions prize in the November 5 Lotto Max draw, instantly becoming $1 million richer.
But while Huang knew this was the real deal, his wife wasn’t entirely convinced.
“When I called my wife to tell her I had won, she didn’t believe me,” he recalled. “She said, ‘You’re just kidding!’ I had to scan my ticket so she could see the prize amount with her own eyes.”
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
While at the OLG Prize Centre to claim his winnings, he said he already has plans for his windfall.
“I plan to celebrate Lunar New Year with my family and take them on a trip to celebrate,” Huang stated.
The winning ticket was purchased at Loblaws on Lake Shore Boulevard in Toronto.
“I’m very happy and excited. I never expected to win,” he said.
The next Lotto Max draw is set for Tuesday, December 3. The jackpot is worth $80 million, and there are 29 Maxmillions prizes.
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here.