A first-time Ontario lottery player is in disbelief after winning a substantial prize.
Toronto resident Iryna Tereshchuk can make her dreams come true after winning a $333,333.40 Maxmillions prize in the Nov. 25, 2025, Lotto Max draw.
Her lottery ticket was one of three that split a $1 million Maxmillions prize, each winner taking home $333,333.40.
OLG
“This is my first time playing the lottery!” Tereshchuk shared while at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) Prize Centre in Toronto to collect her winnings. “I was discussing the lottery with a coworker and decided to pick up a ticket for fun.”
The 30-year-old, who works in digital media, said she checked her ticket on OLG.ca that day after the draw. That’s when she discovered her big win.
“I didn’t see my numbers come up for the jackpot, but then I realized they matched the Maxmillions winning numbers,” she recalled.
The first to hear of her huge win was her mom.
“I wanted to share the news with my family first, so I called my mom right away, though she was skeptical. I didn’t expect a win like this. It’s so hard to believe, but it feels awesome!” said Tereshchuk.
Her plans for the lottery windfall include travel, treating her parents to something nice, and investing in her education.
“It’ll be nice not to worry about the expense of trying new classes and learning new things,” she concluded.
Tereshchuk bought her winning lottery ticket at Circle K on Yonge Street in Toronto.
The 30-year-old isn’t the only young player who has won on their first try. In September, a Canadian teenager won a big lottery prize on the first ticket she ever played.
All forms of gambling, including the lottery, involve risk and outcomes are based on chance. Individuals are strongly advised to gamble responsibly. If you are experiencing any signs of gambling-related issues, check out these resources.
