What does $1 million mean to you? For one Canadian lottery player, it means financial freedom and early retirement.
Brampton, Ontario, resident Sisir Acharya works in logistics and has been trying his luck in the lottery for years. He enjoys buying tickets for Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49 every week and occasionally buys Instant tickets.
He’s no stranger to winning.
Years ago, he won a $1 million prize with Proline but never expected to win big.
Acharya stopped at a Petro-Canada on Main Street South in Brampton to buy a Lotto Max ticket. At the time, an $80 million jackpot was to be won, along with 30 Maxmillions prizes during the December 3, 2024, draw. Acharya was one of the Maxmillions winners from Ontario and was now $1 million richer.
Irish Mae Silvestre/Daily Hive
He recalled the moment he found out about his life-changing win.
“It was the day after the draw when I decided to check my ticket on the OLG app,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! I must have scanned it seven or eight times. My stomach was filled with butterflies, and my heart was racing. I tried some meditation to calm myself, yet I still couldn’t sleep all night.”
Sharing the happy news with loved ones was also an emotional moment.
“When I told my wife, there were tears of joy and excitement,” said Acharya. “We felt a sense of relief knowing that our dream of homeownership was now possible.”
Sisir Acharya of Brampton, Ontario (OLG)
While at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to pick up his $1 million cheque, he said he’ll use the money to buy a new home. He plans to share his good fortune with his daughters and visit the US and Dubai with his wife.
The money will allow him to quit working sooner than expected.
“I will retire early and continue to play the lottery, too,” he said. “If you don’t play, you don’t win.”
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, you can find resources here.