Toronto man wins $55M Ontario lotto max: ‘I can finally afford a house’
Posted December 9, 2022 12:31 pm.
Last Updated December 9, 2022 1:40 pm.
A Toronto man says he can finally jump into the fluctuating real estate market after he won Ontario’s Lotto Max jackpot of $55 million.
Nishit Parikh was announced as the winner of the Aug. 5 lottery draw. The 30-year-old project manager told the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) he always plays his numbers that are comprised of significant family dates. Only this time, one of the auto-generated numbers sealed the deal.
“I purchased this ticket about an hour before the draw closed. The next day I heard on the news that someone in Toronto had won and, of course, hoped it was me,” Parikh said.
The Toronto resident purchased the winning ticket at Petro Canada on Markham Road in Scarborough. Parikh said he checked the OLG app and his numbers started to pop up. He was in disbelief, so he asked his dad to confirm.
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“When I checked my ticket on the OLG App, I saw the Big Winner screen but didn’t believe it,” he said. “I was looking at the zeroes, squinting my eyes to do a double take. I think my brain shut down — I was trying to process what was happening.”
Parikh admits that once the reality had set in, he wanted to seek financial advice on how best to proceed once he received the $55 million. In addition to purchasing a home in the city, he also owes a lot to his family, to whom he plans to compensate.
“I was overcome with joy. I thought to myself, now I can finally afford a house in Toronto,” Parikh said.
“This win gives me freedom and the opportunity to spread my wings and see the world. I’ve always wanted to see South America, and now I can take my time and savour the scenery across the continent.”
