Matthew Boyko was at work when he learned the lottery ticket he purchased had resulted in a life-changing prize.
The Ontario resident, who works as a caretaker, said that he was on break when he checked the winning numbers on his computer.
To his surprise, his selections matched the Gold Ball Draw number. When he learned that he was a winner, Boyko said he “nearly fell off [his] chair.”
His reaction may have had to do with the fact that his prize contained a lot of zeros because he had scored the $1,000,000 jackpot.
“It took me a few minutes to process all the zeros!” he added.
After discovering he had pocketed a huge prize, getting back to work was understandably difficult for Boyco.
“I had to continue working, but I couldn’t focus,” he admitted. “All I could think about was my prize.”
Boyko kept his win to himself for the most part, only sharing the news with a few people, who said they were “very happy” for him.
After picking up his cheque at OLG headquarters in Toronto, he said he would be telling everyone he knows.
As for how it feels to win, Boyco shared that he has mixed emotions.
“Winning feels great! It’s hard to explain the sensation,” he said. “I feel sick to my stomach, but in the best way possible.”
He added that he has a “gut feeling” that he would win another prize in the future.
He plans on using his windfall to purchase a home.
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.