‘Debt-free’ days ahead for instant ticket lottery winner from Mississauga

Shastri Khaloo would’ve been happy had his recent instant lottery ticket purchase enriched him by $100.

Well, the Mississauga man’s joy is off the charts after his Instant Super Strike ticket turned out to be a $50,000 winner, the top prize available on that particular Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) instant win game.

Instant Super Strike tickets cost $50 apiece, and Khaloo is happy he found it within his budget that day to make the purchase.

“I never spend this much on an instant (win) ticket, but when I saw the Super Strike, it caught my eye and I thought, ‘Why not, even if I only win $100′,” Khaloo said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his winnings. “I scanned my ticket right away while I was in the store and I was left in disbelief. I thought I was just tired and hadn’t read the message correctly. I checked my ticket again and was shocked to see I’d really won $50,000.”

Khaloo, a truck driver, told OLG officials he’s been playing the lottery every week for the past 20 years, mostly buying Ontario 49, Lottario and Lotto Max tickets. He’s bought the “occasional” instant win ticket, he added.

“This has been an incredible experience. I feel very fortunate. With this prize, I will be debt-free.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Shell, on Thomas Street in Mississauga.