A Manitoba man has plans for a new truck and to set his kids up for success after becoming $40 million richer by splitting a historic $80 million Lotto Max jackpot.
The $80 million Lotto Max jackpot on December 3 was split between two winning tickets: one bought by Matthew Tannas and the other sold in Quebec. This was only the second time the Lotto Max jackpot reached its highest-ever amount and the fourth-largest prize ever won in Manitoba.
Tannas works in both Manitoba and Alberta, and he was in Alberta working as a big game guide when he made his purchase in-app.
“I remember seeing [the jackpot] was $80 million and thinking, ‘I’d better buy a ticket!’” Tannas laughed.
The Hamiota, Manitoba, man said he saw the jackpot had been won when he checked the app after the draw and was “speechless” when he realized it was him.
“Just because it was an online ticket… it was hard to believe seeing it on my phone; I had to double check!”
Tannas said the win means “more than he can put into words.”
“My kids are going to be able to all go to university now,” he said. “I’m making sure all of my kids have reliable vehicles—my daughter’s ’89 Jeep is getting restored now.”
“I’ve had to replace parts a few times with scraps—we named it Dolly, and it’s going to be great to fix it up properly!” he continued.
He noted that he and his family will need an adjustment period following the enormous windfall.
“It’s kinda surreal,” he laughed. “We think it’s important our kids keep working and going to school, but this will definitely help!”
As for himself, Tannas said he’s excited to buy a new truck and to visit his sister in Nova Scotia for the first time.
“She’s come to visit us, but we’ve never been out there before!” he smiled. “Other than that, we’re going to invest this carefully!”
Tannas purchased his winning Lotto Max ticket on the Lotto Spot app. He, along with one other winner in Quebec, matched all seven numbers selected in the December 3 draw: 9, 14, 21, 26, 29, 32, and 41.
Hamiota is located 280 kilometres west of Winnipeg.
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