Paul Flabbi of Rockwood is celebrating after winning $405,334 in the July 29 Lotto Max draw.
He matched six out of the seven numbers plus the bonus number on his ticket to win the secondary prize.
“I usually visit the same retailer to check my tickets,” Flabbi said while at the OLG prize centre in Toronto, where he picked up his winnings.
“I gave a few tickets to the retailer, and all of a sudden she screamed out ‘big winner!’ When I saw the amount, it felt like the air left my lungs. The retailer was jumping up and down, I had to celebrate with her.”
Flabbi then went out to his truck and stared at the ticket in disbelief.
“I eventually called my wife to share the good News and she just kept repeating, ‘What?’ I then came straight to the prize centre,” he said.
Flabbi said he and his wife are not frivolous people, and plan to hold on to the money for a while.
“I’ve been very fulfilled and content with my life up to this point, and this win will just make things more comfortable,” he said. “Also, we have two daughters and I plan to help them build a foundation for their future.
“I’m 63 years old, and I celebrate every day when I open my eyes in the morning. A win like this will just make it a lot more fun.”
Since the game’s launch in September 2009, Ontario Lotto Max players have won over $3 billion in prizes, including 46 jackpot wins and 322 winning MaxMillions tickets.
Flabbi’s winning ticket was purchased at Acton Discount Variety.
