An assembly line worker from the Greater Toronto Area was overwhelmed “in the best way possible” when he learned he won $1 million.
Han Zeng Chen, of Holland Landing, Ont., matched all seven Encore numbers in the Nov. 22 Lotto 6/49 draw.
The 47-year-old says he has been playing the lottery for the last three decades and always picks numbers based on the birthdays of his family members.
Chen recalled sipping on some coffee at home when he was checking his tickets.
“I realized the winning numbers looked familiar. I checked my ticket three times because I didn’t believe it,” Chen told OLG, while collecting his winnings. “It felt too good to be true.”
When Chen shared the news with his wife and two children, he said they were in disbelief, as his wife kept asking him if he was certain he had won the lottery.
“The kids were just staring at me—they thought I was joking,” Chen recounted. “Once it sank in, they were so happy. They were smiling, laughing, and even tearing up a bit. I didn’t want anyone else knowing until I knew for sure it was real.”
With his million-dollar prize, Chen says he doesn’t want to go “too crazy,” focusing on squaring away some bills and buying a new coat and shoes for the winter.
“I want to buy some gifts for my family too. I’d also love to travel to China to visit family,” Chen said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them, and now I finally have a chance.”
When Chen was asked about what it felt like to win big for the first time, he said he couldn’t quite put the feeling into words.
“It’s overwhelming in the best way possible. It’s like getting the best news of your life and not knowing whether to laugh, cry, or sit down before you fall over,” Chen said. “This is such a great surprise, and I’m so thankful.”
Chen bought his winning ticket from a Petro-Canada on Centre Street in Thornhill.
The $80 million Lotto Max jackpot is still up for grabs, as the life-changing prize remained without a winner in the latest draw.
With that rollover, OLG officials say the final Lotto Max draw of the year will feature $129 million in top prizing: an $80 million jackpot and roughly 49 Maxmillions prizes worth $1 million each.
The draw is set for Dec. 30.
