Forgotten lottery ticket was major winner in southern Ontario

A forgotten lottery ticket turned out to be a major winner for a woman in southern Ontario.

Scarborough resident Laurie M., 62, had a ticket for the May 6 Lotto 6/49 draw and later forgot about it for a few days, letting it sit in her bag.

“I was walking by a store when I saw a Lotto 6/49 ad and suddenly remembered I had a ticket to check,” Laurie said in a news release from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

“As the store clerk was scanning my ticket, I said, ‘I think I won three free plays.’ The clerk looked at me and said, ‘Ma’am, you won more than just three free plays!’”

It turned out that Laurie won $1 million from the gold ball draw.

“She told me I had won $1 million. I immediately started shaking, and I think my heart nearly stopped!” Laurie said.

Laurie was in shock and “began crying tears of pure happiness.”

“Even during the ride home, I couldn’t process that I had just become a lottery winner. It was one of the most overwhelming, emotional, and unforgettable moments of my life. I still have goosebumps thinking back to that initial moment,” she said.

She then shared the big news with her sister and some friends, most of whom thought she was joking at first.

Handout / OLG

“I said, ‘Trust me — I can’t believe it either!'” Laurie recalled.

Laurie said she can now retire and “enjoy the little things in life.”

“I’m looking forward to having more time for hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and living life at a slower pace.”

She also plans to travel and visit destinations that have been on her bucket list.

“I’m already planning a trip to London. After that, I’d love to visit Scotland — it’s been a dream destination of mine for years. I hope to explore more of Europe as well and take my time experiencing different cultures,” Laurie said.

She is also looking forward to taking painting classes.

“There have been many painting classes I’ve wanted to take over the years, but they were always during my work hours. Now, I can sign up and enjoy something I’ve always wanted to do.”

Laurie has been playing the lottery with the OLG twice a week for around 25 years and this marked her first big win.

The winning ticket was purchased on Eglinton Avenue East in Scarborough at Shoppers Drug Mart.