Jacqueline Kroon of Bowmanville says winning $5 million in the Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot on Dec. 18, 2024 is “unbelievable and surreal.”
Kroon, who works in retail, has been a regular lottery player with OLG for over 20 years, but nothing prepared for her first big win.
“I was enjoying an early morning coffee when I decided to check my Lotto 6/49 ticket using the OLG app,” Kroon told OLG.
“I thought I’d won $5,000 and was so excited. While doing my happy dance, I went to find my dad and showed him the winning message. I said, ‘I won $5,000!” That’s when he told me to take another look at the prize amount.”
Still, it took a minute for her to process what had happened.
“I couldn’t wrap my head around it! I sent a screenshot to my sister, asking her to text me and confirm the amount. Her message back to me simply said, ‘Get out of here!’ It was an unbelievable and surreal moment.”
Kroon calls the windfall life changing.
“I’ve always said, ‘You can’t win if you don’t have a ticket,’ but I never thought I’d find myself here,” Kroon told OLG.
“It’s amazing how one little piece of paper can change your life. I’m filled with gratitude. This is a wish come true, and my heart is overflowing with joy.”
Kroon says she wants to make sure the money lasts beyond her life.
“While my mind has been racing with thoughts of what comes next, I want to ensure this money lasts beyond my lifetime,” she told OLG.
“First, I’d like to look for a new home where I can keep my family close. I also want to treat my kids and family to some special things and experiences. I love animals, too, and will find a way to give back to those who take care of animals in need.”
The winning ticket was bought at Piggly Wiggly Convenience on King Avenue East in Newcastle.
SLEEPLESS NIGHTS FOR NEW MILLIONAIRE
Construction worker Keven Carrier of Barrie couldn’t sleep “for days” after winning a $1 million top prize with Instant Millionaire Multiplier.
Carrier, who is a father of three, has been playing Lotto Max with OLG weekly for about 20 years, but this is his first big win.
He said it was a recent conversation with his mom and a quick snack break that led to him becoming a millionaire.
“My mom told me about OLG’s Instant Millionaire Multiplier ticket, so I decided to give it a try,” Carrier told OLG.
“After playing hockey one day, I took a walk to the corner store to grab a bag of chips. I noticed the store had the ticket my mom mentioned, so I went ahead and picked one up.”
Initially, Carrier thought he’d won a smaller but still significant amount.
“When I checked my ticket, I thought I’d won $100,000,” he told OLG
“I had to call my little brother to verify how many zeros there are in a million! Then, I FaceTimed my wife and she couldn’t believe what I was telling her. I couldn’t sleep for days. I had a mix of emotions running through my head. It’s hard to believe I walked into a store to buy a bag of chips and walked out a millionaire.”
For now, Carrier plans to save and invest his winnings.
The winning ticket was bought at Circle K on Huronia Road in Barrie.
$1 MILLION WIN TO BE USED TO BUY HOME
Great-grandfather and retiree Michel Lacroix, of Blyth, Ont, plans to buy a home after winning the Lotto 6/49 prize worth $1 million in the Gold Ball Draw on Dec. 21, 2024.
Lacroix has been playing the lottery with OLG for 40 years but this is his first big win.
“I was at the store when I scanned my ticket and discovered I had won,” he told OLG.
“I was frozen in shock, yet surprisingly calm; I had to be, as I still had a 20-minute drive home ahead of me. When I arrived home, I shared the incredible news with my wife. She was beyond excited — maybe even more than I was.”
Turns out playing all those years was worth it.
“After many years of playing, winning this prize feels great!” Lacroix told OLG. “The experience is hard to explain. It’s overwhelming, but in the best way possible.”
The winning ticket was bought at Zehrs on Huron Road in Goderich.