‘Didn’t sleep for 3 days’: Aunt, nephew from GTA win $1M through OLG instant prize
Posted January 19, 2023 1:12 pm.
Last Updated January 19, 2023 1:24 pm.
An aunt and her nephew from the GTA are $1 million richer after the pair won an “instant ultimate” prize through the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG).
Christine Dee of Newmarket and Matthew Hug of Etobicoke explained they were with family during the Christmas holidays and decided to buy the lottery ticket for better odds of winning.
“We went to the store together to purchase the ticket,” Dee told the OLG in Toronto. “I scanned our ticket on New Year’s Day at 7:32 a.m. I was so shocked I thought I was dreaming. I called Matthew and told him to call me back ASAP.”
Hug was in denial, saying he was convinced they hadn’t won and that it was a mistake.
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The winning ticket was purchased at St. Charles Food Market in St. Charles, Ont., within the Sudbury district.
“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.”
The aunt and nephew said they’ve both been dreaming of owning a house, so the winnings will go toward a down payment.
“I plan to pay off my mother’s mortgage,” Hug said. “I will share some with my children,” added Dee.
OLG says 100 per cent of profits generated from sales of “instant ultimate” and OLG products are reinvested into the province.
“Instant ultimate” was available for $100 a play with 40 $1 million top prizes drawn on Dec. 31, 2022. The odds of winning any prize were 1-in-3.55.
