‘It doesn’t feel real’: Manitoba man shares plans after historic $46M lotto win

An eastern Manitoba man is speaking out about his plans for a historic $46 million lottery windfall — the largest Lotto 6/49 prize ever awarded in the province.

Earl Giesbrecht of Whitemouth claimed the prize at a ceremony Thursday with his family in attendance. The winning ticket was purchased at Whitemouth First Stop Grocers, in the town located approximately 80 kilometres east of Winnipeg.

Giesbrecht, who turns 70 in November, said he almost didn’t bother checking his tickets on the day of the May 16 draw — which also happened to be his son Travis’ wedding day. He said he first heard on the radio around 3:30 p.m. that someone in Manitoba had won.

When he returned to the store to scan his tickets, the results came up short — until they didn’t.

“I was to the point that I was frustrated that I never win,” he said, speaking at the ceremony held at Western Canada Lottery Corporation’s Hargrave Street location. “It said not a winner, not a winner, and then it said free play — and then the other one came out, and I thought I won $46,000.”

When a store clerk clarified the actual amount, Giesbrecht said he called his brother in a panic.

“He thought I was having a heart attack. He came down and I leaned on him.”

The win still hasn’t fully sunk in, he said, noting his previous biggest prize was $1,200 years ago.

“It’s a very unreal feeling. It doesn’t seem real. Your mind goes blank,” he said. “I’ve dreamt about this for the last 30 years that I’ve been buying tickets.”

When asked about his plans for the winnings, he nodded toward his children sitting at the ceremony.

“They will tell dad what to do and not what to do — besides the financial advisors,” he said.

Giesbrecht said each of his children will receive a vehicle of their choice. He also intends to pay off bills for his ex-wife and help set her up financially, and a family trip abroad is in the works.

“Me and my family are going out of the country for a couple of weeks just to get away and talk as a family should,” he said.

Giesbrecht also plans to donate to the Whitemouth Fire Department to help secure a new water tanker and to heart disease and cancer charities in memory of his first wife, who died of cancer. He also wants to support children born with cleft lips and palates.

‘Don’t blow it all, you guys’

As for himself, he has his eye on a Denali Ultimate, though he’s not ready to part with his well-worn 2014 Silverado just yet.

He also said he hopes to help his grandchildren and future generations of his family — with a caveat.

“I hope you keep the Earl Giesbrecht legacy going. Don’t blow it all, you guys,” he said, eyeing his family in attendance.

Giesbrecht added he’s glad the win didn’t come when he was younger, noting there are “too many temptations in the world” — but that he may now have enough life experience to spend it wisely.

Giesbrecht grew up in Whitemouth before spending roughly 40 years away, returning after semi-retiring. He said the community’s reaction has been warm.

“People in town are very, very nice,” he said. “Everybody’s been fantastic. Nobody expects anything — they just congratulate me.”