Saying ‘yes’ brings Hamilton musician $100,000 Encore windfall

A 63-year-old Hamilton musician’s belief in “saying yes” to Encore has paid off to the tune of $100,000.

Peter Cushenan, a longtime lotto player, matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact order in the June 24 Daily Keno draw to win $100,000.

“I’m a firm believer in saying yes to Encore,” the father of two was quoted as saying in a July 18 press release when he picked up his windfall at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto. “I guess it paid off today.”

Cushenan said he enjoys playing all the lottery games and buys Daily Keno tickets online.

Encore is a bonus game offering an extra 22 ways to win for $1.

He said he couldn’t believe it when he got the news in an email from Ontario Lottery and Gaming. “I knew it was important when I read the subject line, ‘You’ve got big news.’ It was unbelievable. For a moment, I just stared at the prize amount.”

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He first shared the news with his girlfriend. “I handed her the phone and said, ‘Look at this.’ She couldn’t believe it either!”

Along with sharing his winnings with his two children, Cushenan said the cash will give him some financial cushion. “I’m in the process of moving, so this will help with those expenses,” he said. “It will also add some comfort to my retirement and make day-to-day life a little easier.

“I’m very grateful and I look forward to the security this win will provide.”