Man wins jackpot after buying Lotto Max tickets for one month in Canada

Most people who play the lottery go their whole lives without winning a jackpot.

But for an Alberta man, it took just one month of buying Lotto Max tickets for him to score the top prize.

The Western Canada Lottery Corporation announced recently that Lacombe resident Don Matheson won $15 million in the June 5 draw.

“I just started buying tickets in the last month,” he said.

“I figured, what the heck – you can’t win if you don’t buy the ticket.”

And sure enough, Matheson learned he won the jackpot while checking his ticket in-store.

“I didn’t realize it was $15 million until they told me!” he said.

“Everybody in the store was excited.”

Matheson said his first thoughts were about how he could help others. That includes giving back to his community and supporting his family.

“I won’t change, but I’ll make sure my family members’ mortgages are paid,” he said.

He also plans to invest part of his winnings.

Making the win even more special was the fact he bought the ticket just before his birthday.

Handout / WCLC

“This made for one heck of a birthday surprise,” he said.

As seen in his winner photo, Matheson sports a pink beard — something he said won’t be going anywhere.

“I was working at a school when I learned about Pink Shirt Day,” he said.

“I promised some kids I would do my part to help stamp out bullying, so this is my ‘pink shirt’ every day.”

“I said I’d take it off when bullying stops,” he added. “It definitely stands out and gets people talking.”

Matheson bought his winning ticket at a Circle K in Lacombe.