09-07-2025
Lotto 6/49: Ontario mom claims $5M Classic Jackpot just weeks before her ticket expiry date
Just weeks before the ticket was set to expire, Connie Christie of Beachville, Ont., finally claimed her $5 million Lotto 6/49 Classic Jackpot prize from the May 4, 2024 draw.
With the one-year window closing in, OLG issued an Unclaimed Prize News Release on April 17, 2025, urging Ontario players to double-check their tickets. Christie heard the announcement on the radio while out with her mom.
'When I heard the details, I turned to my mom and said, 'I have a feeling that's my ticket!'' she said while claiming her prize at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
Christie, who works in logistics, usually checks her tickets about once a month, but had recently let a small pile of unchecked slips gather. That afternoon, she rushed home and pulled out her phone.
'I saw the 'Big Winner' message and put my phone down to pause for a moment,' she said. 'Then I took another look. I managed to stay calm, thinking, 'I did it!' It was a great feeling.'
Christie has been regularly purchasing OLG tickets for the past seven years and always says 'yes' to Encore. She usually sticks to Lotto 6/49, Lotto Max, and Ontario 49 — but this is her first major win.
'The next morning, I gathered my family to share the incredible news,' she said.
She had the winning numbers pulled up on her laptop when her kids began guessing why she'd called a family meeting.
'Everyone was speculating about what I wanted to tell them. I had the winning numbers pulled up on my laptop when my kids guessed, 'Did you win the lottery?' My answer was, 'Yes, and it's a life-changing prize — $5 million!' We sat there in silence, and I could see the wheels turning in all their heads as I shared proof of my win,' said Christie.
For the winner, the moment marked a realization of a long-held dream.
'I would dream of winning big every time I'd check my tickets,' she said.
'I'd think about how I could help my family and the impact it would have on all of us. It feels so validating now, especially after all the times I'd head out to get my tickets and my kids would tease me. I'd always say, 'You can't win if you don't play!' Now, my heart's full of joy and I'm humbled by what this means for us.'
Now a multimillionaire, Christie says her top priority is retiring — and helping her husband do the same.
'I'm so grateful to share this moment with my family. I feel so thankful and fortunate for this win. I plan to retire, and I want my husband to do the same. We can now spend our time doing what we love and enjoying our time together,' she said.
And to celebrate? She has a dream trip in mind.
'I'd also like to treat my husband to a scenic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway,' said Christie.
According to OLG, players have one year from the draw date to claim their winnings. To avoid missing out, players are encouraged to sign their tickets upon purchase, store them in a memorable place, check them soon after the draw, or buy through to receive automatic email notifications if their ticket wins.
Lotto 6/49 gives players a chance to win two jackpots every Wednesday and Saturday for $3 per play. The Classic Draw offers a fixed $5 million jackpot, while the Gold Ball Draw guarantees at least $1 million — or a growing jackpot that starts at $10 million and can climb past $60 million.
The winning ticket was purchased at Petro-Canada on Norwich Avenue in Woodstock, Ont. For Christie, her life-changing win came from the Classic Jackpot on a Saturday draw.
If you're looking to take a break from gambling, self-exclusion programs can be effective tools. See here for resources that are available across Canada.
