Mississauga woman says her $100,000 lottery win is ‘insane’

Meena Karunaker didn’t know, at first, how much money she had won when she checked her Lotto 6/49 ticket for the Nov. 16 draw.

But the Mississauga woman knew the number was pretty big.

Moments later, the self-employed mother realized the number was $100,000 big. Her ticket had matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order.

Then, the celebration began.

“To think that I bought a $1 Encore and won $100,000 is insane,” Karunaker said with a laugh while holding her big cheque at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. “It’s definitely an unreal experience.”

The big winner said she likes to play Lotto 6/49 and Lotto Max, adding she always adds Encore.

“When I checked my ticket at the grocery store, I was so surprised when I saw a big number appear,” she said. “My first thought was, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve won something big’.”

When Karunaker shared her exciting news with her daughter, she thought she was joking with her.

“When she realized I wasn’t joking, she was so excited for me,” the Mississauga woman said.

Karunaker said she’s not yet sure what to do with the winnings.

“With a cheque this big, I don’t even know where to start,” she said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Unique Gift and Convenience, on Front St. in Toronto.