Young man finds huge winning lottery ticket under pillow in Canada

An Ontario man scored a major lottery prize with a ticket that he found under his pillow.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation said that Woodstock resident Ethan M. won the top prize of $50,000 with a Let it Roll scratch ticket.

The 22-year-old said he has been playing the lottery since he was old enough to buy tickets, but doesn’t get them often.

“I only buy tickets once in a blue moon. I choose ones that look fun and enticing,” he said.

Ethan said he almost forgot about his ticket, but then unexpectedly found it under his pillow one night.

“I pulled out my phone to check it on the OLG app, not thinking much of it,” he said.

“As soon as I saw the prize amount, I nearly fell off the bed — I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

Ethan initially kept the news to himself, but was eager to tell his parents, who were at work.

“I just sat there staring at my phone in disbelief, scanning the ticket over and over again to make sure it was real. I genuinely thought I was dreaming.”

Handout / OLG

Eventually he called his parents on FaceTime.

“My mom was incredibly happy and couldn’t wait to celebrate with me after her shift,” he said.

“My dad was surprised and thrilled for me. It was such a special moment.”

Ethan, who works at a cement facility, said he plans to use the money to buy a car, while saving and investing the rest.

“Winning the lottery at such a young age feels surreal,” he said.

“It’s exciting to know I have a financial head start. I’m incredibly grateful because I know opportunities like this don’t come around often.”

Let it Roll costs $50 per play.

The winning ticket was purchased in Woodstock at Circle K on Devonshire Avenue.