$70 million lottery was won in this city in Canada

A couple who won a life-changing $70 million LOTTO MAX jackpot say their daughter knew they were the winners before they even checked their ticket.

Audrey and Wills W. — whose last names were not released by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) — claimed the jackpot from the May 8, 2026 LOTTO MAX draw after a Mother’s Day Quick Pick ticket turned into Ontario’s newest multi-million-dollar prize.

OLG has changed its longstanding practice of publicly identifying lottery winners by full name. The agency now releases only first names and the first initial of winners’ last names unless a winner chooses to disclose more information.

The Brampton couple said the remarkable story began after news reports revealed the winning ticket had been sold in their city.

Their daughter immediately became convinced her parents had won, even though Audrey and Wills had not yet scanned their ticket.

“When we finally told her the news of the win, she smiled and said, ‘I knew it!'” Audrey recalled during a winner celebration at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.

The winning ticket had been a Mother’s Day gift from Wills, who surprised Audrey with a LOTTO MAX Quick Pick.

When Audrey later scanned the ticket using the OLG app, she initially thought she was looking at a much smaller prize.

“I saw the winning amount on the screen, turned to Wills, and said, ‘Look at this — is this $70?'” Audrey said. “He glanced at it and said, ‘No — look again because there are so many more zeros!'”

After realizing they had won $70 million, Audrey said she jumped on the bed before falling to her knees in disbelief.

Wills said the excitement was impossible to hide.

“I may look calm and cool on the outside, but I’m thrilled on the inside,” he said.

The couple immigrated to Canada from Jamaica several decades ago with little more than a dream of building a better life. Now retired, they say they intend to approach their newfound wealth carefully, working with trusted financial advisers before making major decisions.

They also plan to share their good fortune with family and friends.

Among their personal dreams, Audrey hopes to build a home in Jamaica where the couple can spend winters before returning to Canada each summer. The pair also plans to renovate the kitchen in their Brampton home, while Wills hopes to indulge his passion for vintage cars by purchasing and restoring classic vehicles.

Travel is also on the agenda, with cruises and Caribbean vacations topping their wish list.

The winning LOTTO MAX ticket was purchased at the Canco One Stop Gas Station on Steeles Avenue in Brampton.