Ontario Woman Wins $100,000 Lottery Gift from Brother

A simple act of kindness from a brother led to a life-changing moment for an Ontario woman. Hamedah Chan, a resident of Richmond Hill, matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in the May 16, 2023, Lotto Max draw, securing a prize of $100,000. This significant win is a milestone for Chan, who has been a dedicated player with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for over 15 years.

Typically, Chan plays the lottery once a week, favoring games like Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, and Ontario 49. She often utilizes OLG’s Quick Pick feature to choose her numbers and consistently adds Encore to her tickets. This approach ultimately rewarded her with her first substantial lottery win.

Chan’s ticket was not originally purchased by her. “My brother had bought two Lotto Max tickets and gave one to me,” she explained while visiting the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her winnings. Almost a month after the draw, her brother prompted her to check the ticket.

During a routine grocery shopping trip, Chan took both tickets to a local store for validation. “I handed both tickets to the cashier and asked her to check them for me. She validated the first one and gave me $20,” she recounted. “Then she scanned the second one and told me it was a big win! It took me a while to take it in. I was confused, shocked, and excited all at once, but I tried to keep myself calm.”

After confirming her win, Chan returned home to share the extraordinary news with her husband. “He was very happy and grateful,” she said with a smile. Later, she called her brother to share the exciting development. “I said, ‘Guess what? I won!’ He was so surprised and couldn’t believe it.”

With her newfound wealth, Chan plans to prioritize her children’s education. In addition, she aims to pay off bills and share her winnings with family members. “You see people winning all the time, but when it happens to you, it feels surreal — like a dream. I’m incredibly grateful for this win,” she concluded.

The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Humber College Boulevard in Etobicoke. As a reminder, all forms of gambling, including lottery games, carry risks, and outcomes depend on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. For those experiencing gambling-related issues, resources are available for support.