NEWS RELEASE
OLG
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TORONTO – Anna Moretta of Thornhill was struck by the Lightning Lotto jackpot on Jan. 17, 2021. The top prize, which started at $125,000, had grown to $245,755.30 before it was won.
Anna, a 61-year-old grandmother and property manager, said she is an occasional lottery player. “I heard about Lightning Lotto and liked the idea of winning instantly,” she shared. “I was out running errands, and on my way home I stopped at the store to play a round of Lightning Lotto. I almost paid for my things and left but decided to play one more round.”
Anna said her initial reaction was that the machine must be broken. “Then the clerk yelled, ‘You did it! You won!’ I was in disbelief. When I heard the full amount, I thought it was impossible. How could something like this happen to me?”
While still in the store, Anna called one of her daughters. “I told her that I was having palpitations and she thought I was feeling unwell. Then I told her I just bought a $2 lottery ticket and won $245,000!”
Anna is looking forward to the day when she can gather with her loved ones again. “When it’s safe to do so, I am going to host a big party to celebrate all the things we had to celebrate virtually! I’m going to call it a ‘All-iday’ party because it’s going to be for every occasion, milestone and event we’ve missed.”
“Who would have thought being struck by lightning would be so amazing,” she smiled.
In accordance with government-issued lockdown measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, OLG is currently limiting the number of in-person prize claim appointments at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to only those that require a face-to-face interview.
Customers with prizes over $50,000 are asked to call 1-800-387-0098 to discuss available prize claim options. Prize claims up to $49,999.90 should continue to be submitted by mail. The health and safety of our customers and employees remains our top priority and OLG looks forward to providing future updates on the availability of in-person prize claims.
Lightning Lotto players can win a jackpot on the spot! Match all five numbers in any one line on your Lightning Lotto ticket with those drawn earlier that day to win the jackpot. The top prize starts at $125,000 and grows with ticket sales.
Each $2 Quick Pick consists of three lines of five numbers from one to 49. Lightning Lotto is available exclusively at lottery retailers. Odds of winning any prize are 1 in 4.47. For more information on How to Play as well as full prize details and odds of winning, visit OLG.ca.
The winning ticket was purchased at Steeles West Convenience on Steeles Avenue in North York.
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