Ernest Betsina ‘gives thanks’ after $2.5 million Lotto 6/49 win – Yellowknifer

Ernest Betsina ‘gives thanks’ after $2.5 million Lotto 6/49 win

Published 10:18 am Tuesday, June 23, 2026

The mystery of who won a share of the Lotto 6/49 jackpot last month has been revealed.

Ernest Betsina, the chief of Dettah, was announced as the co-winner of the May 16 drawing. He matched all six numbers of the classic draw — 5, 34, 36, 41, 44 and 45 — which won him $2.5 million, half of the $5 million jackpot. The other half of the winning equation was sold somewhere in Ontario.

In a release on Tuesday morning, Betsina, who described himself as a regular player, stated that there was plenty of reflection and emotion when he realized he had won.

“I had to take a deep breath and give thanks,” he said. “I kept it to myself for a few days, but later told my sons.”

What are Betsina’s plans for the money? Pay off some bills and invest the rest.

“I’ve been buying tickets for a long time,” he added. “This is an incredible feeling.”

Betsina bought the winning ticket at Gastown on Old Airport Road.

His win was the largest Lotto 6/49 prize since Daniel Kudlak won $1 million in the gold ball portion of the drawing back in June 2024.