Free play leads to $55 million lottery win in Ontario

Hawkesbury resident François Masse was out getting groceries when he redeemed a free play for Lotto Max.

“I added Encore for $1, put the ticket in my wallet, and went on about my day,” Masse said in a press release from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

Little did he know that seemingly ordinary action would change his life.

“A few days later, I remembered I had three tickets to check, so I scanned them using the OLG app. The first ticket earned me a free play, the second ticket won me $40, and the last one was the big one,” he recalled.

The big one matched all seven numbers in the Jan. 9 Lotto Max draw to win the $55 million jackpot.

“I saw the ‘big winner’ message on the screen and went numb with disbelief – it was like the world stopped for a minute,” he said.

Masse said it “was an out-of-body experience” and he kept telling himself that it couldn’t be true.

“I set the ticket down on the counter and paced around the house for five minutes, trembling and wondering if it was real. Then I checked the ticket again and saw the same ‘big winner’ message,” he said.

Masse called the OLG for information about how to claim his prize and still couldn’t believe what had happened.

“I just looked out my window and thought about what this meant for me and my family – my kids, my mom, and my brothers. I was overwhelmed with gratitude,” Masse said.

It took around three hours for him to process the news before he called his family to tell them.

“Hearing the words, ‘I won $55 million,’ come out of my mouth felt even more unreal,” he said.

But his family didn’t believe him at first — they thought he was joking.

“We all know we’ll commit to a joke and pull each other’s legs, so they thought I was just really committed to my prank,” Masse said, adding that not even his mom believed him initially.

He wanted to tell his children about the windfall in person and invited them over, making up a story about having a late Christmas gift for them.

“I told them I had a gift on back order for them, and I bought them each an espresso machine as a ruse,” Masse said.

When they all got together, he asked his kids to scan the ticket themselves — everyone was in shock.

“It was a wonderful, incredible moment to share as a family,” Masse said.

Travel, possibly a new home and car among his plans

Masse is already coming up with plans for his winnings.

The retiree, who had a career in education, is looking at travelling, and possibly a new home and car.

“The first thing I want to do is arrange a family trip to celebrate this win, then I’ll plan some bucket-list travel. I’ve always dreamed of travelling to Formula 1 races all over the world. Maybe I’ll tour some NFL stadiums and catch some football, take some golf trips, and enjoy some mother-son adventures,” he said.

“There may also be a new home and car in my future! I’ve also always loved horses. I never actually rode any, but I bought a stable. So when people ask if I’m into horses – well, I guess I am now,” he added.

Masse said he also wants to take care of his family.

“Legacy is important to me. I want to make sure I have the right advisors to guide me before making any big decisions. This win isn’t just for me – it’s for my family and the legacy we’ll leave behind,” he said.

Masse got his winning ticket in Hawkesbury at Asselin’s Your Independent Grocer on Cameron Street.

Meanwhile, another massive Lotto Max jackpot was just won in the most recent draw on Tuesday. A ticket sold in Toronto won $75 million.

Images via the OLG