A 71-year-old grandmother in Leamington is setting some money aside for her family after winning $65,094 in a recent Lotto 6/49 draw.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) said Haifa Kaspar won the Lotto 6/49 second prize in the September 16 draw after she matched five numbers and the bonus number. She also won $10 on a separate Lotto 6/49 ticket, which increased her total winnings to $65,104.
"I've been playing the same numbers for over 20 years," said Kaspar in a statement. "This is my largest win!"
Kaspar said she checked her winning ticket at a store while she was on her way home.
"When I saw the ‘Big Winner’ message, I thought I was dreaming. I was so shocked I had to hold on to something,” she said.
Kaspar said her husband was also shocked about the news.
"He kept looking at the ticket,” she laughed.
The local lotto winner said she plans to put some of the money aside for the future and to replace the furnace and air conditioning units in her house. Kaspar said the rest of the money will be split between her and her husband, her children, and grandchildren "to have some fun with".
"This is more than I ever expected," she said.
The winning ticket was bought at the Real Canadian Superstore on Talbot Street in Leamington.Lottery players who have won prizes of $1,000 or more can go to the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto for in-person claims but it's by appointment only. COVID-19 protective measures such as the mandatory use of a mask or face covering, physical distancing, and pre-screening are being done at the centre.
