Ontario Woman Wins $100,000 Lottery Prize Thanks to Brother’s Gift

A generous gesture from a brother led to a life-changing moment for Hamedah Chan, a resident of Richmond Hill, Ontario. In the recent May 16, 2023 Lotto Max draw, Chan matched six out of seven Encore numbers in the exact order, resulting in a major prize of $100,000.

Chan, a devoted player of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) for over 15 years, typically plays Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, and Ontario 49 once a week. She favors the OLG’s Quick Pick feature for her selections and always adds Encore to her tickets. This strategy finally paid off, marking Chan’s first significant lottery win.

The twist in Chan’s story came when she realized she hadn’t purchased the winning ticket herself. Instead, her brother had bought two Lotto Max tickets and gifted one to her. “Almost a month later, he asked me if I had checked my ticket yet,” she recounted during her visit to the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to claim her winnings.

While running errands, Chan decided to validate both tickets. “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 recalled. “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.”

Upon returning home, Chan shared the exciting news with her husband. “He was very happy and grateful,” she said with a smile. Later that day, she called her brother to share the incredible news. “Guess what? I won!” she exclaimed. His surprise echoed her own disbelief.

With the windfall, Chan plans to focus on her children’s education, pay off bills, and share her good fortune with family. “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 reflected.

The winning ticket was purchased at Circle K on Humber College Boulevard in Etobicoke. As with all forms of gambling, including lotteries, there are inherent risks, and outcomes are determined by chance. Individuals are encouraged to gamble responsibly. Those facing gambling-related issues should seek help through available resources.