Canadian wins $16M in the lottery, plans to help kids buy a home | Daily Hive | National

For one Canadian lottery player, a massive jackpot win means more than financial freedom — it’s an opportunity to help support loved ones.

Lottery player and Ontario resident Darlene M. lives in the community of Cavan. On her birthday, the 64-year-old retiree decided to use her phone to check a lottery ticket she had purchased from Giant Tiger, unaware that her big day was about to become even more memorable.

“I checked it using the OLG app and ran inside the house to tell my sister right away,” she recalled.

Darlene had managed to match the Gold Ball winning numbers 55248239-01 to win the Lotto 6/49 jackpot in the May 30 draw — she was now $16 million richer.

“I had to make sure what I was seeing was real. I was shocked!” she stated.

While at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her $16 million cheque, she said that she also shared the news with the rest of her family, who were also in complete disbelief.

“It’s hard to wrap my head around this,” she said.

She already knows what she wants to do with her winnings — she’s using them to pay some bills, buy a new truck, and donate to a cause close to her heart.

“I’d also like to support animal welfare initiatives that are important to me,” said Darlene.

Her windfall will also allow her to help her loved ones, and she added that she wants to help her children purchase a home.

OLG

The winning ticket was purchased at Giant Tiger on Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough.

The next Lotto 6/49 draw is on Wednesday, July 1, and the jackpot has now climbed to $22 million.

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, check out these resources.