Hamilton woman’s lottery-winning dreams came true
Published September 29, 2021 at 12:07 pm
One Hamilton woman’s lottery dream came true earlier this month when she won the jackpot while playing OLG’s Lightning Lotto.
Stoney Creek resident, Maria Karouzakis, won the top prize on Sept. 4.
“The clerk said I won something big – I had no idea until I saw the validation slip,” she said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up her winnings.
The prize — which started at $125,000 — had grown to $153,670.10 when Karouzakis won.
“I was stunned,” Karouzakis said.
OLG Handout
“I called my sister-in-law into the store. She kept me calm and cool while I waited for the call from OLG.”
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She then called her brother and father to share the news, but they could hardly understand her.
“I couldn’t speak I was so excited,” she said. “Now they all play Lightning Lotto.”
Karouzakis said she plans to invest in her future for retirement, treat herself to some shopping and plan a day trip with her family.
“I always said one day I’ll win the lottery and now I’m here – it’s unbelievable.”
The winning ticket was purchased at Hasty Market on Queenston Road.
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