Someone has won the $68 million lotto jackpot
Published December 14, 2023 at 10:40 am
Christmas has come early for a lucky Toronto man who is fittingly named “Noel.”
Today, OLG announced that Noel Patricio can “find his possible” after winning a Lotto 6/49 prize worth $68 million in the Gold Ball Draw on Sept. 27.
Despite his massive windfall, Patricio, who works in the housekeeping industry, told OLG he intends to keep working.
“I love the work I do and the people I work with, and that makes my two jobs so meaningful to me. I want to be the same Noel.”
Noel, who is celebrating a birthday this week, is a regular Lotto 6/49 player. He told OLG he purchased the winning ticket on a break during work.
Videos
Upon hearing that the record-breaking ticket was sold in Toronto, he remembered he had a ticket in his pocket.
“I checked my ticket on the OLG app and saw the Big Winner screen appear. I thought I won $68,000 and called my sister to tell her what I won,” he told OLG.
“She asked me to count the zeroes, and I told her there were six of them. That’s when she corrected me and said, ‘That’s $68 million!’ I was in shock, but I knew I still had work to do, so I snuck into the bathroom to keep checking the winning numbers with my sister still on the phone.”
Patricio said he was in disbelief all day.
“All I could think was, is this a joke? Is this real? Will I wake up from this dream? I finished my first job and checked my ticket several more times between my next shift – it was so unbelievable. Then I suddenly became so concerned on where to put this ticket to keep it safe!”
Patricio said he took his time before heading to the OLG Prize Centre, as he was overwhelmed by his win.
“I needed to make sure I had everything in place before accepting this prize. I kept this news to myself and with my immediate family. When my colleagues would talk about the winning ticket sold in Toronto, I would stay quiet. It was too unbelievable to say, ‘It’s me!'”
As for his plans for his winnings, Patricio told OLG he plans to renovate his current home, which he bought a few years ago while working two jobs. He also wants to take his sisters on a ‘dream vacation’ to Italy, make more time for himself, and travel to see tennis superstar Rafael Nadal play live.
He also plans to buy seasons tickets for the Raptors.
“I came to Canada with one suitcase and a few dollars – it’s unbelievable to think I am here as the Gold Ball Jackpot winner! I am ready to settle into my excitement and live an exciting life,” he said.
The winning ticket was purchased at Hasty Market on Church Street in Toronto.
INsauga's Editorial Standards and Policies