A Maple Ridge man is an instant millionaire.
George Bountalas won a $1-million Maxmillions prize in Friday’s draw, as he chased the biggest-ever Lotto Max prize pool.
“I saw the $70-million dollar jackpot and decided, why not? Let’s give this a go,” he recalled. “Dreams are free and dreams can come true!”
He purchased his ticket from Petro Canada on Lougheed Highway, and was at work when he realized his ticket was a winner – after he checked it on his phone using the Lotto! app.
“I immediately called my wife and said ‘everything is OK but I think we won a million dollars,” he recalled. “She told me to come now, but I told her that I had an hour to go at work… my heart was beating and I tried my best to focus!”
Once it’s safe to do so, Bountalas looks forward to putting his prize towards a family road trip to visit relatives in Alberta, as well as a trip to Greece. He said he will also set some aside to gift to family.
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“This will give me more choices and a little nicer hotel room (when I travel) every now and again,” he added.
On how it feels to be a millionaire, Bountalas describes his experience as “Surreal and a roller coaster of emotion…very thankful!”
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He was among 33 winners who took one of the record 70 Maxmillion prizes worth $1 million. The $70 million jackpot was not won. So far in 2021, B.C. lottery players have redeemed more than $69 million in winnings from Lotto Max.
Lotto Max is a nationwide lottery game drawn on Tuesdays and Fridays after 7:30 p.m. (PST).
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